Bill would require escort agency permits

The Judiciary Committee heard testimony Feb. 25 on a bill that would create a permit structure for escort agencies.

LB513, introduced by Imperial Sen. Mark Christensen, would define lawful escort services and create permit structures that would be implemented by local governing bodies.

Under the bill, it would be unlawful to:
• operate or portray a business as an escort agency without a permit;
• employ an individual if their agency does not hold a permit;
• allow an escort agency employee to be in a state of nudity while in the presence of a patron;
• allow an employee to touch a patron while in a state of semi-nudity;
• allow a patron to be in a state of nudity or semi-nudity while in the presence of an escort agency employee;
• allow a patron to touch an escort agency employee while he or she is in a state of seminudity; and
• provide a service to any person younger than 18 as a patron of the escort agency.

Christensen said the bill could provide an additional tool for law enforcement to prevent prostitution and human trafficking.

“The private nature in which employees of such businesses work creates a climate where the line between legal and illegal activities is easily crossed,” Christensen said. “In addition, and maybe most importantly, evidence is emerging that some of these businesses are engaging in the coercion of women and underage girls and boys through human trafficking.”

Al Riskowski, executive director of the Nebraska Family Council, testified in support of the bill, saying escort services have been known to employ children. Five children in Omaha recently were rescued out of prostitution, Riskowski said.

Human trafficking is a significant problem in Nebraska, he said, and currently a sting operation is necessary to arrest perpetrators. If escort services were regulated, Riskowski said, law enforcement officers could ask to see permits and arrest operators who were in violation of the law.

Tom Barber, executive director of the Lincoln People’s City Mission, also testified in support of the bill.

The shelter takes in approximately 350 people every night who are involved in prostitution and sex trades, he said.

“I know for certain Lincoln has a problem with prostitution,” Barber said.

“Much of the drug and alcohol addictions we see going on every day can be attributed to the sex industry,” he said. “The cost to society for assisting them and their families with the social services we have to provide is very high.”

The committee took no immediate action on the bill.