Governor Signs a Kunze’s Priority Bill Strengthening Penalties for Promoting Prostitution

COLUMBUS—Governor DeWine today signed Senate Bill 5, sponsored by State Senators Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard) and Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls), which strengthens criminal penalties for individuals who are convicted of promoting prostitution in Ohio.

The bill prohibits any person from knowingly taking part in the creation or operation of any enterprise that facilitates engagement in sexual activity for hire, such as a brothel.

“I want to thank Governor DeWine for signing this incredible important piece of legislation in our our effort to combat human trafficking,” said Kunze. “Prostitution is directly linked to human trafficking, and stronger penalties are needed to help stop this cruel industry from trapping its victims in a vicious cycle of abuse and forced crime.”

The Department of Homeland Security, as well as federal and local law enforcement agencies, have played critical roles in the development of Senate Bill 5 and a driving force behind increasing penalties of these heinous crimes. 

This legislation compliments a series of bills passed over the last several years aimed at combatting human trafficking through better enforcement, increased penalties and efforts to promote greater public awareness.