Lawmakers back plan to help former prostitutes

OLYMPIA — The Washington state House has passed a measure to make it easier for women to clear their criminal records in cases where they were trafficked or forced into prostitution. Under current law, women with prostitution convictions stemming from being forced into the sex trade may have those convictions removed only if they have since had a clean record, are facing no new criminal charges and have never previously had a prostitution conviction vacated. The bill, passed Monday by a vote of 91-1, would remove those restrictions. Bill supporters said it would make it easier for victims of the prostitution trade to find work and housing and help them to get their lives in order. House Bill 1292 heads next to the Senate.