Georgia bill expands definition of 'pimping'

ATLANTA — The Georgia House is considering broadening state pimping laws to include the act of driving a prostitute to a job.

A bill was introduced Monday to add the crime of arranging for the transportation for an act of prostitution. Currently it is illegal to "direct" a meeting for paid sex, but not to knowingly deliver a prostitute or customer for such an act.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Stephanie Benfield, wrote the bill after hearing reports of Atlanta taxi drivers delivering customers for prostitution in exchange for a kickback. The drivers would not be covered now because they didn't set up the meetings.

"When people are knowingly taking money to provide transportation for prostitution, that should be a crime," said Benfield, D-Decatur.

The offense would be considered a misdemeanor under state pimping laws.