(a) Findings.
(1) Due to its location on the I-95 corridor, low crime rate, and high disposable income, Montgomery County has become a prime location for human trafficking;
(2) a significant number of prostitutes working in Montgomery County are victims of human trafficking; and
(3) the United States Department of Justice has found strong evidence to support a demand-reduction approach to combatting human trafficking.
(b) Definitions. In this Section, the following terms have the meanings indicated:
Human trafficking means the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.
Prostitution means the performance of a sexual act, sexual contact, or vaginal intercourse for hire.
Purchase means to offer or agree to pay money or something of value to another person in return for a service.
Sexual act has the meaning stated in Md. Criminal Law Art. §3-301, as amended.
Sexual contact has the meaning stated in Md. Criminal Law Art. §3-301, as amended.
Vaginal intercourse has the meaning stated in Md. Criminal Law Art. §3-301, as amended.
(c) Prohibition. A person must not purchase prostitution in the County.
(d) Enforcement; penalties.
(1) A police officer may issue a civil citation or a criminal citation to a person whom the officer reasonably believes has violated this Section.
(2) A violation of this Section is a Class A violation. (2015 L.M.C., ch. 52, § 1.)