San Francisco Task Force on Prostitution
Final Report 1996
Establishing Legislation
LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH SAN FRANCISCO TASK FORCE ON PROSTITUTION
Passed and amended November 1993 - March 1994
ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE ON PROSTITUTION TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON LEGISLATION AND POLICY REFORM AS RELATED TO THE CITY'S PROSTITUTION LAWS AND POLICIES, AND SHALL INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCLES, SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, CITY DEPARTMENTS AND COMMISSIONS, WOMEN'S RIGHTS ADVOCATES AND IMMIGRANT AND PROSTITUTES' RIGHTS GROUPS.
WHEREAS, San Francisco residents, business owners and neighborhood organizations have expressed legitimate concerns about the impact of prostitution on their neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the criminal nature of prostitution has led to widespread beatings and the victimization of prostitutes and has attracted crimes including robberies. drug use and violence to San Francisco streets and neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the continuing economic recession, the lack of police resources and the overcrowding jails make it difficult if not impossible to deal with prostitution as a traditional law enforcement issue; and
WHEREAS, the issue of prostitution is complex and involves social, economic and legal factors; and
WHEREAS, it is incumbent upon local government to explore alternatives to dealing with prostitution as it effects San Francisco's economy, the public health and safety of its residents and the city's overall quality of life; and
WHEREAS, a public forum is needed to allow for debate and the sharing of information about issues related to prostitution and to study alternatives to the present system; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Supervisors of The City and County of San Francisco hereby establishes the Prostitution Task Force, consisting of ( ) members who shall represent a broad cross section of San Francisco with regard to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, age, socioeconomic status and sexual orientation; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall include representatives from The Mayor's Office, neighborhood groups, law enforcement agencies, public health agencies, social service agencies, City Departments and Commissions, women's rights advocates and immigrant and prostitute rights groups; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall be established and appointed by the Board of Supervisors as follows:
One (1) member representing the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce;
Four (4) members representing neighborhood groups, one each from Save Our Streets (SOS); Polk Street Merchants Association; Mission District Residents for Safer Streets; Union Square Merchants Association;
Three (3) members representing diverse prostitute populations and advocacy groups, including one representative of COYOTE; one of the U.S. Prostitutes' Collective, and one transgender representative;
One (1) member representing gay male prostitutes;
One (1) member representing outreach to the African American community;
Two (2) members representing AIDS/HIV prevention and education service providers with experience in outreach to prostitute populations, one each from Asian AIDS Project and Project Aware;
One (1) member representing the Center For Southeast Asian Refugee Resettlement;
One (1) member representing the National Organization for Women (NOW);
One (1) member representing the National Lawyer's Guild;
(Amended later*)
One (1) member representing the Proactive Youth Coalition;
One (1) at-large member from the legal community;
One (1) at-large unspecified member;
One (1) member representing the Office of Supervisor Terence Hallinan; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the said Task Force shall include additional members to be appointed as follows:
One member representing the Mayor's Office, to be appointed by the Mayor;
One member representing the Police Department, to be appointed by the Chief Police;
One member representing the Department of Public Health, to be appointed by the Director of the Department;
One ember representing the Public Defender's Office, to be appointed by the Director of the Department;
One member representing the District Attorney's Office, to be appointed by the District Attorney;
One member representing the City Attorney's Office, to be appointed by the City Attorney;
One member representing The Commission on The Status of Women, to be appointed by the Director of the Department; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Mayor and the Departments are to make their appointments and advise the Board of Supervisors of same within fifteen (15) days after this resolution takes effect;
The Board shall also make their appointments within thirty (30) days after taking effect; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall adhere to Robert's Rules of Order and shall conduct its business consistent with the Provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act, which governs certain procedures related to the conduct of meetings by public bodies; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That a quorum for the conduct of business by the Task Force shall be the presence of at least ( ) members of the Task Force; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That any member of the Task Force who, following their appointment, misses more than two unexcused regularly scheduled meetings shall be deemed to have resigned from the Task Force, and a new members shall be appointed to the vacated position; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That in the event of a vacancy, a successor shall be appointed to fill the vacancy consistent with the process and requirements to appoint the previous appointee; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Mayor, the Board of Supervisors and the various City Departments shall provide in-kind professional and administrative staff to the Task Force; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That members of The Task Force shall not be compensated, nor shall they be reimbursed for expenses. The Task Force may seek funds from public and private agencies to carry out its functions. Any money received other than from the City shall be deposited with the City Treasurer; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the said Task Force shall do a comparative study of current prostitution laws and regulations in other cities in the United States and internationally; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the said Task Force shall explore all options for reform on prostitution laws, social services and law enforcement practices in San Francisco; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That said Task Force shall present an initial progress report six months after its inception to the Board of Supervisors and shall provide a written report of its recommendations to the Board of Supervisors one year from the date of their initial meeting, and that this Task Force shall be automatically dissolved upon receipt of said report.
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