Kansas Prostitution and Solicitation Laws

By Christie Nicholson, J.D. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed August 30, 2024

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Prostitution is illegal in every state except Nevada. In Kansas, it’s unlawful to engage in prostitution, hire a prostitute, or manage a house of prostitution. If law enforcement catches you buying or selling sexual acts or providing a place for people to engage in sexual conduct in exchange for money, you’ll face criminal charges.

Kansas prostitution laws have three offense categories:

Each offense carries its own penalties, as listed in the chart below.

Kansas Prostitution Laws at a Glance

We offer the chart below on Kansas' prostitution and solicitation laws as an easy reference.

Prostitution

Code sections Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A.) §21-6419
What’s prohibited? It’s against the law to perform (or offer to perform) any sex act in exchange for something of value. Kansas lawmakers define “sex acts” to include oral sex, genital contact with intent to arouse, and sexual intercourse. Intercourse may be vaginal or anal.
Penalties Prostitution is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and fines of up to $1,000.
Defenses It is a defense to a prostitution charge if the defendant is a minor or a victim of human trafficking.

Patronizing

Code sections K.S.A. §21-6421
What’s prohibited? It’s illegal to hire someone to engage in (or perform) a sex act in exchange for something of value. You can be guilty of patronizing if you knowingly meet with a prostitute, even if you have not made an agreement or exchanged money.
Penalties

Patronizing a prostitute is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and fines of up to $2,500. For a first-offense charge, the fines can range from $1,200 to $5,000. The fine for a second or subsequent offense will be no less than $5,000.

A second (or subsequent) conviction of patronizing is a severity level 9 felony, punishable by imprisonment for 11 to 13 months and at least 12 months probation. The court may also order you to enter a treatment program for commercial sexual exploitation.

If the court convicts you of patronizing a minor, you must register as a sex offender.

Any person convicted of a felony prostitution offense (patronizing or promoting prostitution) is ineligible for a Kansas teaching license.
Defenses Nonsexual escort services are legal in Kansas. If you didn’t hire the alleged prostitute for sexual purposes, you may have a valid defense.

Promoting Prostitution

Code sections K.S.A. §21-6420
What’s prohibited?

Kansas’ prostitution laws are broad, making it illegal to promote the sale of sexual relations. Specifically, the statute deems it “promotion” when a defendant knowingly does any of the following:

  • Owns or manages a house of prostitution
  • Allows others to use their property as a brothel
  • Recruits or induces prostitutes to work in a brothel
  • Encourages another person to become a prostitute
  • Solicits a patron (a “john”) to enter a brothel
  • Helps transport a third party so they can engage in acts of prostitution
Penalties As a first offense, promoting prostitution is a severity Level 9 felony punishable by 11 to 13 months imprisonment. For repeat offenders, this is a Level 7 felony with a prison sentence of 22 to 26 months. They’ll also face fines of up to $100,000. If the prostitute is a minor (under 18 years of age), the criminal penalties increase. The government can also seize property used to commit the offense.
Defenses For the state to convict you of promoting prostitution, it must prove that you were aware that prostitution was happening. The defendant’s lack of knowledge may be a valid defense to this offense.

A Kansas Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

If you’re facing prostitution charges in Kansas, you should talk to a criminal defense attorney immediately. In a way, prostitution charges are like charges for D.U.I. The penalties for these crimes may seem minor, but a conviction will impact your personal and professional lives.

If the state has charged you with any sex crime, it’s in your best interest to seek legal advice right away. The prosecutor has law enforcement and the state on its side. You want to have someone fighting for you as well.

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