Committee makes pimping and pandering felonies on first offense, citing demand-reduction research

The Judiciary Committee unanimously passed SB 547 (LC 492697), which upgrades pimping and pandering to felony status on a first offense for those who organize, facilitate, or purchase commercial sexual services. The sponsor framed the change as part of a broader, years-long state effort to combat human trafficking and to target demand rather than solely penalize victims.

Pamela Zoltagari (vice president of government affairs, Street Grace) told the panel that research consistently shows demand-reduction and jail time for buyers deter purchases and reduce trafficking-related crime. Sergeant John Paugherty of the Gwinnett County Police Department described decades of investigations and how online platforms changed trafficking dynamics; he said felony penalties would better align prosecutorial incentives and resource allocation.

Committee members asked questions about age thresholds and distinctions among pimping, pandering, and related code sections. After law-enforcement testimony the committee voted to pass SB 547 by unanimous voice vote and advanced it to the next stage of consideration.