Since their renaissance in the 1960s counterculture, alternative papers have thrived on free-spirited journalism and a libertarian advertising philosophy. Strip clubs, escorts and, lately, medical marijuana emporiums, filled countless pages with their ads. Frankly, that is their right, except when the “goods” they are advertising for sale or rent are youth under 18.
H.B. 5504, which had been before the Connecticut legislature, was an attempt to address this “pimping” of youth by print and online publishers who run escort services advertisements. This bill would have made publishing escort ads a Class C felony, punishable with up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, if the ad could be proven to promote the sex trafficking of someone under 18.
