Ohio bill aims to target prostitution profiteers

Proposed law would create new felony offense for knowingly receiving money from prostitution, raising concerns about unintended consequences.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 7:36pm

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House Bill 507 in Ohio would create a new felony offense for anyone who knowingly receives money earned through prostitution. The bill, developed in collaboration with the Ohio Attorney General's office, is meant to target traffickers and profiteers, but some say the broad language could inadvertently affect community members and workers not complicit in prostitution.

Why it matters

Ohio is currently the only state without a specific statute outlawing receiving profits from prostitution. Supporters argue this creates a 'critical enforcement gap' that allows traffickers to avoid consequences, while skeptics worry the proposed penalties are disproportionate and could have unintended consequences for 'good actors' like small business owners or healthcare providers.

The details

House Bill 507 would make it a third-degree felony to knowingly receive money or other things of value earned through 'sexual activity for hire.' If the money is collected from a trafficking victim under 18, it would be a second-degree felony with a minimum 2-8 year prison sentence. The bill explicitly does not apply to sex workers collecting their own earnings. Recent amendments have expanded the offense to also prohibit profiting from, concealing, or collecting prostitution proceeds on behalf of a third party.

  • The House Public Safety Committee is set to further discuss the proposal at a meeting on March 3, 2026.
  • The committee adopted amendments to the bill on February 24, 2026 after consulting with the Ohio Attorney General's office.

The players

House Bill 507

Legislation that would create a new felony offense for anyone who knowingly receives money earned through prostitution.

Jonathan Newman

Republican state representative and co-sponsor of House Bill 507.

Marilyn John

Republican state representative and co-sponsor of House Bill 507.

Corey Jordan

Director of policy and legislation for the Ohio Attorney General's office, who supports the bill.

Heinz von Eckartsberg

Retired Dublin police chief who backs the bill, saying it would close a 'critical enforcement gap.'

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What they’re saying

“All other 49 states in the U.S. already have this law on their books, but Ohio does not.”

— Jonathan Newman, State representative

“Prosecutors are often forced to rely on victim testimony. Many are too traumatized or fearful to comply.”

— Corey Jordan, Director of policy and legislation, Ohio Attorney General's office

“The penalty does not fit the conduct. Despite involving significantly lower culpability, it punishes receiving the proceeds from prostitution at the same level as compelling prostitution, which requires forcing another to engage in sexual activity for hire against their will.”

— Zachary Miller, Representing the Office of the Ohio Public Defender

What’s next

The House Public Safety Committee is scheduled to further discuss House Bill 507 at a meeting on March 3, 2026.

The takeaway

This proposed law highlights the complexities of targeting profiteers in the sex trade without inadvertently affecting community members or workers not directly involved in prostitution. Lawmakers will need to carefully balance enforcement tools with unintended consequences as they consider this bill.