{ "batch": "185-pennsylvania-prostitution-statute-every-section", "articles": [ { "id": "learn_r185_pennsylvania_prostitution_statute_every_section_pa_statute_ch59_anchor", "category": "Safety", "title": "Official citation anchor for Pennsylvania's prostitution offence", "summary": "Pennsylvania's prostitution offence sits in Title 18 (CRIMES AND OFFENSES) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Chapter 59, whose exact published name is PUBLIC INDECENCY, at section 5902, on the Pennsylvania General Assembly's own statute site.", "body": "Pennsylvania's prostitution offence sits in Title 18 (CRIMES AND OFFENSES) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Chapter 59, whose exact published name is PUBLIC INDECENCY, at section 5902, on the Pennsylvania General Assembly's own statute site.\n\nWhat Pennsylvania General Assembly actually says:\n\n“CHAPTER 59 PUBLIC INDECENCY Sec. 5901. Open lewdness. 5902. Prostitution. 5903. Obscene and other sexual materials and performances. 5904. Public exhibition of insane or deformed person.”\n\nNote: ANCHOR RECORD. Official Pennsylvania General Assembly code page. Same page, Enactment note: 'Chapter 59 was added December 6, 1972, P.L.1482, No.334, effective in six months.' Note the operative s.5902 text on the site was amended by Act 41 of 2026 (P.L.492, No.41, July 20, 2026, eff. 60 days) and is now titled simply 'Prostitution.'", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.059..HTM", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Pennsylvania General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "CHAPTER 59 PUBLIC INDECENCY Sec. 5901. Open lewdness. 5902. Prostitution. 5903. Obscene and other sexual materials and performances. 5904. Public exhibition of insane or deformed person.", "volatility": "high", "from_batch": "185-pennsylvania-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "Pennsylvania 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 59 (Public Indecency)", "topic": "Official citation anchor for Pennsylvania's prostitution offence", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "Pennsylvania, official code of the Commonwealth", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us-pa" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r185_pennsylvania_prostitution_statute_every_section_pa_c59_s5902_offense", "category": "Safety", "title": "18 Pa.C.S. 5902(a)-(a.1): The prostitution offence and its grading", "summary": "Under 18 Pa.C.S. 5902, an adult commits prostitution by engaging in sexual activity as a business or by loitering in or within view of a public place to be hired for sexual activity, and the offence is graded a single class: a misdemeanor of the third degree.", "body": "Under 18 Pa.C.S. 5902, an adult commits prostitution by engaging in sexual activity as a business or by loitering in or within view of a public place to be hired for sexual activity, and the offence is graded a single class: a misdemeanor of the third degree.\n\nWhat Pennsylvania General Assembly actually says:\n\n“(a) Prostitution.--An adult is guilty of prostitution if he or she: (1) engages in sexual activity as a business; or (2) loiters in or within view of any public place for the purpose of being hired to engage in sexual activity. (a.1) Grading of offenses under subsection (a).--An offense under subsection (a) constitutes a misdemeanor of the third degree.”\n\nNote: Current official text as amended by Act 41 of 2026 (P.L.492, No.41, eff. 60 days from July 20, 2026). The former graduated grading (third degree first/second offence, rising to second/first-degree misdemeanour and a third-degree felony for an HIV/AIDs-positive offender) and the old (b)-(e.2) subsections (promoting, living off, patronizing) are marked '(Deleted by amendment)' on the page; promoting and patronizing now sit in Chapter 30 sections 3027-3028. Whether paid filmed content is 'sexual activity as a business' is an open interpretive question; no official decision or AG opinion on the filming point was found (see could_not_verify).", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.059.002.000..HTM", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Pennsylvania General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "(a) Prostitution.--An adult is guilty of prostitution if he or she: (1) engages in sexual activity as a business; or (2) loiters in or within view of any public place for the purpose of being hired to engage in sexual activity. (a.1) Grading of offenses under subsection (a).--An offense under subsection (a) constitutes a misdemeanor of the third degree.", "volatility": "high", "from_batch": "185-pennsylvania-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "18 Pa.C.S. 5902(a)-(a.1)", "topic": "The prostitution offence and its grading", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "Pennsylvania", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us-pa" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r185_pennsylvania_prostitution_statute_every_section_pa_c59_s5902_definitions", "category": "Safety", "title": "18 Pa.C.S. 5902(f): Section-internal definitions of the prostitution offence", "summary": "Section 5902(f) defines for the prostitution offence that a 'Minor' is an individual under 18, a 'Public place' is any place to which the public or any substantial group thereof has access, and 'Sexual activity' includes sexual intercourse and deviate sexual intercourse as defined in section 3101 plus any touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of an individual to gratify sexual desire of either person; the former definitions 'House of prostitution' and 'Inmate' are marked '(Deleted by amendment)'.", "body": "Section 5902(f) defines for the prostitution offence that a 'Minor' is an individual under 18, a 'Public place' is any place to which the public or any substantial group thereof has access, and 'Sexual activity' includes sexual intercourse and deviate sexual intercourse as defined in section 3101 plus any touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of an individual to gratify sexual desire of either person; the former definitions 'House of prostitution' and 'Inmate' are marked '(Deleted by amendment)'.\n\nWhat Pennsylvania General Assembly actually says:\n\n“(f) Definitions.--As used in this section the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection: \"House of prostitution.\" (Deleted by amendment). \"Inmate.\" (Deleted by amendment). \"Minor.\" An individual under 18 years of age. \"Public place.\" Any place to which the public or any substantial group thereof has access. \"Sexual activity.\" Includes sexual intercourse and deviate sexual intercourse, as those terms are defined in section 3101 (relating to definitions), and any touching on the sexual or other intimate parts of an individual for the purpose of gratifying sexual desire of either person.”\n\nNote: The definitions that give the offence its operative meaning. Note the definition of 'sexual activity' itself does not require a fee; the fee element is in (a)(1) only as 'as a business'. The Act 41 of 2026 amendments deleted the 'House of prostitution' and 'Inmate' definitions in the same subsection.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.059.002.000..HTM", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Pennsylvania General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "(f) Definitions.--As used in this section the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection: \"House of prostitution.\" (Deleted by amendment). \"Inmate.\" (Deleted by amendment). \"Minor.\" An individual under 18 years of age. \"Public place.\" Any place to which the public or any substantial group thereof has access. \"Sexual activity.\" Includes sexual intercourse and deviate sexual intercourse, as those terms are defined in section 3101 (relating to definitions), and any touching on the sexual or other intimate parts of an individual for the purpose of gratifying sexual desire of either person.", "volatility": "high", "from_batch": "185-pennsylvania-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "18 Pa.C.S. 5902(f)", "topic": "Section-internal definitions of the prostitution offence", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "Pennsylvania", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us-pa" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r185_pennsylvania_prostitution_statute_every_section_pa_c59_s5901", "category": "Safety", "title": "18 Pa.C.S. 5901: Open lewdness", "summary": "18 Pa.C.S. 5901 makes open lewdness - a lewd act the actor knows is likely to be observed by others who would be affronted or alarmed - a misdemeanor of the third degree.", "body": "18 Pa.C.S. 5901 makes open lewdness - a lewd act the actor knows is likely to be observed by others who would be affronted or alarmed - a misdemeanor of the third degree.\n\nWhat Pennsylvania General Assembly actually says:\n\n“A person commits a misdemeanor of the third degree if he does any lewd act which he knows is likely to be observed by others who would be affronted or alarmed.”\n\nNote: First section of Chapter 59. The section's actus reus is centred on live observation by affronted others, so it speaks to public, not recorded/streamed-only, conduct; that reading is my observation, not the text.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.059.001.000..HTM", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Pennsylvania General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "A person commits a misdemeanor of the third degree if he does any lewd act which he knows is likely to be observed by others who would be affronted or alarmed.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "185-pennsylvania-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "18 Pa.C.S. 5901", "topic": "Open lewdness", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "Pennsylvania", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-pa" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r185_pennsylvania_prostitution_statute_every_section_pa_c59_s5903_unsolicited_email", "category": "Safety", "title": "18 Pa.C.S. 5903(a.1): Unsolicited 'ADV-ADULT' labelled electronic advertisements", "summary": "18 Pa.C.S. 5903(a.1) makes it an offence to transmit or cause to be transmitted an unsolicited electronic-communication advertisement containing explicit sexual materials to one or more persons within Pennsylvania without including the term 'ADV-ADULT' at the beginning of the subject line.", "body": "18 Pa.C.S. 5903(a.1) makes it an offence to transmit or cause to be transmitted an unsolicited electronic-communication advertisement containing explicit sexual materials to one or more persons within Pennsylvania without including the term 'ADV-ADULT' at the beginning of the subject line.\n\nWhat Pennsylvania General Assembly actually says:\n\n“(a.1) Dissemination of explicit sexual material via an electronic communication.--No person, knowing the content of the advertisement to be explicit sexual materials as defined in subsection (c)(1) and (2), shall transmit or cause to be transmitted an unsolicited advertisement in an electronic communication as defined in section 5702 (relating to definitions) to one or more persons within this Commonwealth that contains explicit sexual materials as defined in subsection (c)(1) and (2) without including in the advertisement the term \"ADV-ADULT\" at the beginning of the subject line of the advertisement.”\n\nNote: Defined by the section as referring to unsolicited email-type ads of adult content, not to content the recipient asked for; a Pennsylvania-specific rule a creator would meet when cold-pitching adult material. Penalty for violating (a.1) is in (h)(1): a misdemeanor of the first degree.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.059..HTM", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Pennsylvania General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "(a.1) Dissemination of explicit sexual material via an electronic communication.--No person, knowing the content of the advertisement to be explicit sexual materials as defined in subsection (c)(1) and (2), shall transmit or cause to be transmitted an unsolicited advertisement in an electronic communication as defined in section 5702 (relating to definitions) to one or more persons within this Commonwealth that contains explicit sexual materials as defined in subsection (c)(1) and (2) without including in the advertisement the term \"ADV-ADULT\" at the beginning of the subject line of the advertisement.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "185-pennsylvania-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "18 Pa.C.S. 5903(a.1)", "topic": "Unsolicited 'ADV-ADULT' labelled electronic advertisements", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "Pennsylvania", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-pa" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r185_pennsylvania_prostitution_statute_every_section_pa_c59_s5903_grading", "category": "Safety", "title": "18 Pa.C.S. 5903(h)(1): Penalty grading of the obscene-materials offences", "summary": "Under 18 Pa.C.S. 5903(h)(1), violating subsection (a), (a.1) or (f) is a misdemeanor of the first degree, and a subsection (a) violation is a felony of the third degree where the offender has a prior conviction or where the material was sold, distributed, prepared or published for the purpose of resale.", "body": "Under 18 Pa.C.S. 5903(h)(1), violating subsection (a), (a.1) or (f) is a misdemeanor of the first degree, and a subsection (a) violation is a felony of the third degree where the offender has a prior conviction or where the material was sold, distributed, prepared or published for the purpose of resale.\n\nWhat Pennsylvania General Assembly actually says:\n\n“(1) Any person who violates subsection (a), (a.1) or (f) is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. Violation of subsection (a) is a felony of the third degree if the offender has previously been convicted of a violation of subsection (a) or if the material was sold, distributed, prepared or published for the purpose of resale.”\n\nNote: The 'prepared or published for the purpose of resale' trigger is the paragraph that a commercial producer or seller of adult material would weigh under this chapter.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.059..HTM", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Pennsylvania General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "(1) Any person who violates subsection (a), (a.1) or (f) is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. Violation of subsection (a) is a felony of the third degree if the offender has previously been convicted of a violation of subsection (a) or if the material was sold, distributed, prepared or published for the purpose of resale.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "185-pennsylvania-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "18 Pa.C.S. 5903(h)(1)", "topic": "Penalty grading of the obscene-materials offences", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "Pennsylvania", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us-pa" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.enforcement" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r185_pennsylvania_prostitution_statute_every_section_pa_c59_s5904", "category": "Safety", "title": "18 Pa.C.S. 5904: Public exhibition of insane or deformed person", "summary": "18 Pa.C.S. 5904 makes it a misdemeanor of the second degree to exhibit in any place, for a pecuniary consideration or reward, any insane, idiotic or deformed person, or imbecile.", "body": "18 Pa.C.S. 5904 makes it a misdemeanor of the second degree to exhibit in any place, for a pecuniary consideration or reward, any insane, idiotic or deformed person, or imbecile.\n\nWhat Pennsylvania General Assembly actually says:\n\n“A person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree if he exhibits in any place, for a pecuniary consideration or reward, any insane, idiotic or deformed person, or imbecile.”\n\nNote: Last section of Chapter 59; recorded because the batch requires every section of the chapter. Not obviously a producer-of-adult-content point.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.059.004.000..HTM", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Pennsylvania General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "A person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree if he exhibits in any place, for a pecuniary consideration or reward, any insane, idiotic or deformed person, or imbecile.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "185-pennsylvania-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "18 Pa.C.S. 5904", "topic": "Public exhibition of insane or deformed person", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "Pennsylvania", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-pa" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r185_pennsylvania_prostitution_statute_every_section_pa_c31_s3101_sexual_intercourse", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] 18 Pa.C.S. 3101: Definitions of sexual intercourse and deviate sexual intercourse incorporated by 5902(f)", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] 18 Pa.C.S. 3101, the definitions section that 5902(f) expressly incorporates, defines 'sexual intercourse' as including, in addition to its ordinary meaning, intercourse per os or per anus with some penetration however slight, emission not required.", "body": "18 Pa.C.S. 3101, the definitions section that 5902(f) expressly incorporates, defines 'sexual intercourse' as including, in addition to its ordinary meaning, intercourse per os or per anus with some penetration however slight, emission not required.\n\nWhat Pennsylvania General Assembly actually says:\n\n“\"Sexual intercourse.\" In addition to its ordinary meaning, includes intercourse per os or per anus, with some penetration however slight; emission is not required.”\n\nNote: Section 5902(f) defines 'sexual activity' 'as those terms are defined in section 3101'. The same 3101 page defines 'Deviate sexual intercourse' as 'Sexual intercourse per os or per anus between human beings and any form of sexual intercourse with an animal', and adds penetration of the genitals or anus with a foreign object. Whether a filmed act counts as 'sexual activity' therefore runs through these definitions, which is what makes a co-performer payment question turn on contact elements as much as on the fee.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.031.001.000..HTM", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Pennsylvania General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "\"Sexual intercourse.\" In addition to its ordinary meaning, includes intercourse per os or per anus, with some penetration however slight; emission is not required.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "185-pennsylvania-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "18 Pa.C.S. 3101", "topic": "Definitions of sexual intercourse and deviate sexual intercourse incorporated by 5902(f)", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "Pennsylvania", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us-pa" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r185_pennsylvania_prostitution_statute_every_section_pa_c30_s3001_prostitution_def", "category": "Safety", "title": "18 Pa.C.S. 3001 (Human Trafficking definitions): Chapter-wide definition of 'Prostitution' as fee-based", "summary": "18 Pa.C.S. 3001, the Human Trafficking chapter's definitions section, defines 'Prostitution' as '[e]ngaging in sexual activity for money or anything of value'.", "body": "18 Pa.C.S. 3001, the Human Trafficking chapter's definitions section, defines 'Prostitution' as '[e]ngaging in sexual activity for money or anything of value'.\n\nWhat Pennsylvania General Assembly actually says:\n\n“\"Prostitution.\" Engaging in sexual activity for money or anything of value.”\n\nNote: Act 41 of 2026 added the definitions of 'prostituted person' or 'person in prostitution' ('An individual who engages in prostitution'), 'prostitution' and 'sexual activity' to 3001. Same section: 'Sexual activity' is defined by cross-reference to 'section 5902(f) (relating to prostitution)' and 'Commercial sex act' as 'A sex act for which anything of value is given to or received by a person.' This is the fee-turning definition used by the new promoting/patronizing sections.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.030..HTM", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Pennsylvania General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "\"Prostitution.\" Engaging in sexual activity for money or anything of value.", "volatility": "high", "from_batch": "185-pennsylvania-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "18 Pa.C.S. 3001 (Human Trafficking definitions)", "topic": "Chapter-wide definition of 'Prostitution' as fee-based", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "Pennsylvania", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us-pa" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r185_pennsylvania_prostitution_statute_every_section_pa_c30_s3027_offense", "category": "Safety", "title": "18 Pa.C.S. 3027(a): Promoting prostitution - offence elements", "summary": "18 Pa.C.S. 3027, headlined 'Promoting prostitution', makes it an offence - graded a misdemeanor or felony - for a person who knowingly promotes prostitution of another, with the acts constituting it including owning or keeping a prostitution business, encouraging or inducing another to become or remain a person in prostitution and being supported by the proceeds, soliciting a person to patronize a person in prostitution, procuring a person in prostitution for a patron, and soliciting, receiving or agreeing to receive a benefit for doing anything forbidden.", "body": "18 Pa.C.S. 3027, headlined 'Promoting prostitution', makes it an offence - graded a misdemeanor or felony - for a person who knowingly promotes prostitution of another, with the acts constituting it including owning or keeping a prostitution business, encouraging or inducing another to become or remain a person in prostitution and being supported by the proceeds, soliciting a person to patronize a person in prostitution, procuring a person in prostitution for a patron, and soliciting, receiving or agreeing to receive a benefit for doing anything forbidden.\n\nWhat Pennsylvania General Assembly actually says:\n\n“(a) Offense defined.--A person who knowingly promotes prostitution of another commits a misdemeanor or felony as provided under subsection (c). The following acts shall constitute promoting prostitution: (1) owning, controlling, managing, supervising or otherwise keeping, alone or in association with others, a prostitution business; (2) (Reserved); (3) encouraging, inducing or otherwise intentionally causing another to become or remain a person in prostitution; (4) except for a prostituted person or the prostituted person's minor child or other legal dependent incapable of self-support, knowingly being supported in whole or substantial part by the proceeds of prostitution; (5) soliciting a person to patronize a person in prostitution; (6) procuring a person in prostitution for a patron; (7) transporting an individual into or within this Commonwealth with intent to promote the engaging in prostitution by that individual or procuring or paying for transportation with that intent; (8) leasing or otherwise permitting a place controlled by the actor, alone or in association with others, to be regularly used for prostitution or the promotion of prostitution, or failure to make reasonable effort to abate the use by ejecting the tenant, notifying law enforcement authorities or other legally available means; or (9) soliciting, receiving or agreeing to receive any benefit for doing or agreeing to do anything forbidden by this subsection.”\n\nNote: New Act 41 of 2026 section (added July 20, 2026, eff. 60 days), replacing subsections (b)-(d) of the former s.5902 (which the 5902 page marks '(Deleted by amendment)'). 'Person in prostitution' and 'prostitution' are defined in s.3001, and 'someone organising paid filmed content with on-camera co-performers would weigh which of these benefit-taking, inducing and procuring paragraphs apply to them.'", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.030.027.000..HTM", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Pennsylvania General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "(a) Offense defined.--A person who knowingly promotes prostitution of another commits a misdemeanor or felony as provided under subsection (c). The following acts shall constitute promoting prostitution: (1) owning, controlling, managing, supervising or otherwise keeping, alone or in association with others, a prostitution business; (2) (Reserved); (3) encouraging, inducing or otherwise intentionally causing another to become or remain a person in prostitution; (4) except for a prostituted person or the prostituted person's minor child or other legal dependent incapable of self-support, knowingly being supported in whole or substantial part by the proceeds of prostitution; (5) soliciting a person to patronize a person in prostitution; (6) procuring a person in prostitution for a patron; (7) transporting an individual into or within this Commonwealth with intent to promote the engaging in prostitution by that individual or procuring or paying for transportation with that intent; (8) leasing or otherwise permitting a place controlled by the actor, alone or in association with others, to be regularly used for prostitution or the promotion of prostitution, or failure to make reasonable effort to abate the use by ejecting the tenant, notifying law enforcement authorities or other legally available means; or (9) soliciting, receiving or agreeing to receive any benefit for doing or agreeing to do anything forbidden by this subsection.", "volatility": "high", "from_batch": "185-pennsylvania-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "18 Pa.C.S. 3027(a)", "topic": "Promoting prostitution - offence elements", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "Pennsylvania", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us-pa" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r185_pennsylvania_prostitution_statute_every_section_pa_c30_s3027_grading", "category": "Safety", "title": "18 Pa.C.S. 3027(c): Promoting prostitution - penalty grading", "summary": "Under 18 Pa.C.S. 3027(c), promoting prostitution that falls under subsection (a)(1), (a)(3) or (a)(4) - owning a prostitution business, inducing someone to become or remain a person in prostitution, or being supported by the proceeds - is graded a felony of the third degree, a first offence under (a)(5)-(a)(9) is a misdemeanor of the second degree and a second such offence a misdemeanor of the first degree, and promoting prostitution of a minor is a felony of the first degree.", "body": "Under 18 Pa.C.S. 3027(c), promoting prostitution that falls under subsection (a)(1), (a)(3) or (a)(4) - owning a prostitution business, inducing someone to become or remain a person in prostitution, or being supported by the proceeds - is graded a felony of the third degree, a first offence under (a)(5)-(a)(9) is a misdemeanor of the second degree and a second such offence a misdemeanor of the first degree, and promoting prostitution of a minor is a felony of the first degree.\n\nWhat Pennsylvania General Assembly actually says:\n\n“(c) Grading.-- (1) The following apply to offenses committed under subsection (a): (i) An offense constitutes a felony of the third degree if: (A) the offense falls under subsection (a)(1), (3) or (4); (B) the actor compels another to engage in or promote prostitution; (C) the actor promotes prostitution of the person's spouse, child, ward or any person for whose care, protection or support the person is responsible; or (D) the actor commits a third or subsequent offense under subsection (a)(5), (6), (7), (8) or (9). (ii) An offense constitutes a misdemeanor of the second degree if the offense is a first offense under subsection (a)(5), (6), (7), (8) or (9). (iii) An offense constitutes a misdemeanor of the first degree if the offense is a second offense under subsection (a)(5), (6), (7), (8) or (9). (2) An offense committed under subsection (b) constitutes a felony of the first degree.”\n\nNote: Grading block of the new promoting-prostitution section. Subsection (b) (promoting prostitution of a minor) is a flat felony of the first degree. All prior-conviction escalations in (c)(1) base the degree on counts of promoting offences (a)(5)-(a)(9).", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.030.027.000..HTM", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Pennsylvania General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "(c) Grading.-- (1) The following apply to offenses committed under subsection (a): (i) An offense constitutes a felony of the third degree if: (A) the offense falls under subsection (a)(1), (3) or (4); (B) the actor compels another to engage in or promote prostitution; (C) the actor promotes prostitution of the person's spouse, child, ward or any person for whose care, protection or support the person is responsible; or (D) the actor commits a third or subsequent offense under subsection (a)(5), (6), (7), (8) or (9). (ii) An offense constitutes a misdemeanor of the second degree if the offense is a first offense under subsection (a)(5), (6), (7), (8) or (9). (iii) An offense constitutes a misdemeanor of the first degree if the offense is a second offense under subsection (a)(5), (6), (7), (8) or (9). (2) An offense committed under subsection (b) constitutes a felony of the first degree.", "volatility": "high", "from_batch": "185-pennsylvania-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "18 Pa.C.S. 3027(c)", "topic": "Promoting prostitution - penalty grading", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "Pennsylvania", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us-pa" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.enforcement" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r185_pennsylvania_prostitution_statute_every_section_pa_c30_s3028_offense", "category": "Safety", "title": "18 Pa.C.S. 3028(a)-(b): Patronizing prostitution - offence and grading", "summary": "18 Pa.C.S. 3028, headlined 'Patronizing prostitution', makes it an offence to hire a person in prostitution or any other person to engage in sexual activity with the actor, graded a misdemeanor of the third degree for a first offence, a misdemeanor of the first degree for a second offence, and a felony of the third degree for a third or subsequent offence.", "body": "18 Pa.C.S. 3028, headlined 'Patronizing prostitution', makes it an offence to hire a person in prostitution or any other person to engage in sexual activity with the actor, graded a misdemeanor of the third degree for a first offence, a misdemeanor of the first degree for a second offence, and a felony of the third degree for a third or subsequent offence.\n\nWhat Pennsylvania General Assembly actually says:\n\n“(a) Offense defined.--A person commits the offense of patronizing prostitution if that person hires a person in prostitution or any other person to engage in sexual activity with him or her. (b) Grading.--An offense under subsection (a) constitutes a: (1) Misdemeanor of the third degree when the offense is a first offense. (2) Misdemeanor of the first degree when the offense is a second offense. (3) Felony of the third degree when the offense is a third or subsequent offense.”\n\nNote: Act 41 of 2026 section replacing former s.5902(e) 'Patronizing prostitutes' (which the 5902 page marks '(Deleted by amendment)'). The offence is triggered by hiring the person for sexual activity, not by the text of (a) saying the hire was for money; but the 'person in prostitution' hired is defined in s.3001 as someone 'engaging in sexual activity for money or anything of value'. This is the section that most directly faces someone paying an on-camera co-performer.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.030.028.000..HTM", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Pennsylvania General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "(a) Offense defined.--A person commits the offense of patronizing prostitution if that person hires a person in prostitution or any other person to engage in sexual activity with him or her. (b) Grading.--An offense under subsection (a) constitutes a: (1) Misdemeanor of the third degree when the offense is a first offense. (2) Misdemeanor of the first degree when the offense is a second offense. (3) Felony of the third degree when the offense is a third or subsequent offense.", "volatility": "high", "from_batch": "185-pennsylvania-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "18 Pa.C.S. 3028(a)-(b)", "topic": "Patronizing prostitution - offence and grading", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "Pennsylvania", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us-pa" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r185_pennsylvania_prostitution_statute_every_section_pa_c30_s3019_defense", "category": "Safety", "title": "18 Pa.C.S. 3019(b): Affirmative defence of coercion to a s.5902 charge", "summary": "18 Pa.C.S. 3019(b) lets a person charged with any violation under section 5902 offer a trial defence that the conduct was compelled by coercion or by the use of or a threat to use unlawful force against the person or another, which a person of reasonable firmness in that situation would have been unable to resist.", "body": "18 Pa.C.S. 3019(b) lets a person charged with any violation under section 5902 offer a trial defence that the conduct was compelled by coercion or by the use of or a threat to use unlawful force against the person or another, which a person of reasonable firmness in that situation would have been unable to resist.\n\nWhat Pennsylvania General Assembly actually says:\n\n“(b) Affirmative defense.--An individual who is charged with any violation under section 5902 (relating to prostitution and related offenses) may offer the defense at trial that he engaged in the conduct charged because he was compelled to do so by coercion or the use of or a threat to use unlawful force against his person or the person of another, which a person of reasonable firmness in his situation would have been unable to resist.”\n\nNote: Human Trafficking chapter defence aimed squarely at victims charged under 5902; the page it was read from is the official Chapter 30 page (victim protection during prosecution). Also on the same page: subsec. (d) permits a motion to vacate a s.5902 conviction entered as a direct result of being a victim of human trafficking.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.030..HTM", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Pennsylvania General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "(b) Affirmative defense.--An individual who is charged with any violation under section 5902 (relating to prostitution and related offenses) may offer the defense at trial that he engaged in the conduct charged because he was compelled to do so by coercion or the use of or a threat to use unlawful force against his person or the person of another, which a person of reasonable firmness in his situation would have been unable to resist.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "185-pennsylvania-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "18 Pa.C.S. 3019(b)", "topic": "Affirmative defence of coercion to a s.5902 charge", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "Pennsylvania", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "trouble", "region": [ "us-pa" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.enforcement" ], "explicitness": "any" } } ] }