SAFE SEX Workers Study Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Dec 17, 2019

SESTA/FOSTA Examination of Secondary Effects for Sex Workers Study Act or the SAFE SEX Workers Study Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to study the impacts of the reduction in access to client-screening, information-sharing, and harm-reduction websites resulting from the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 on individuals engaged in adult, consensual sex work.

The study must utilize community-based nonprofits to conduct surveys and interviews of sex workers to collect information about (1) experiences of violence from clients; (2) interactions with law enforcement; (3) experiences with exploitation; and (4) the impact on housing stability and mental health, among other effects.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17] · D–CA

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee

19 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Dec 18, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Dec 17, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Dec 17, 2019
Introduced in House
Dec 17, 2019
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Dec 17, 2019 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

S 3165 · SAFE SEX Workers Study Act

Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.5448 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.5448, 116th Congress: SAFE SEX Workers Study Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5448

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-12-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr5448/BILLS-116hr5448ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T19:20:36Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.5448 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.5448 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.5448, 116th Congress: SAFE SEX Workers Study Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5448

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-12-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr5448/BILLS-116hr5448ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T19:20:36Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.5448 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.5448 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss H.R.5448, 116th Congress: SAFE SEX Workers Study Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5448

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-12-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr5448/BILLS-116hr5448ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T19:20:36Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.5448 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.5448 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.5448, 116th Congress: SAFE SEX Workers Study Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5448

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-12-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr5448/BILLS-116hr5448ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T19:20:36Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.5448 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.