Prostitution bill to be debated by Senate committee

(ANSA) - Rome, February 11 - A bill regulating prostitution has been scheduled for debate by the Senate's constitutional affairs and justice committee, Democratic Left (PD) party senator Monica Cirinnà, who co-drafted the measure, announced on Wednesday.
    The bill before the committee as of Wednesday morning "provides for the recognition of prostitution" as a regular job, implying that "sex workers must respect labor market rules", said Cirinnà, who promotes the bill with Senator Maria Spilabotte.
    Under the draft measure, sex workers would be allowed to practice in public and private places and would have to give clients a receipt and have regular medical checkups. "The most important part of the proposal is that it provides for very harsh penalties for exploiters and ring leaders", said Cirinnà, who also spoke in favor of a recent proposal to create a red-light district in Rome's southern EUR neighbourhood.
    Rome Mayor Marino is an advocate of zoning laws for prostitutes.