An Act To Prohibit the Promotion of Travel for Sex Tourism

Sec. 1. 10 MRSA §1141, sub-§3-A  is enacted to read:

Sec. 2. 10 MRSA §1144  is enacted to read:

§ 1144.  Engaging in travel for commercial sexual purposes

Sec. 3. Maine Revised Statutes headnote amended; revision clause. In the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 10, chapter 202-B, in the chapter headnote, the words "prohibited credit card practices involving providers of travel services" are amended to read "prohibited practices involving providers of travel services" and the Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or republishing the statutes.

summary

This bill, which is based on a law passed in Washington State, prohibits travel agencies within the State from engaging in travel for commercial sexual purposes. "Travel for commercial sexual purposes" is defined as advertising or arranging for travel with the intention of enabling the customer to engage in prostitution or to engage a prostitute or to engage in a sexual act, sexual contact or sexual touching for which anything of value is given, promised or received. The bill also makes a violation of this prohibition a Class C crime, with a penalty of up to 5 years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.