Upgrades penalties for certain prostitution crimes; creates crimes of leader of prostitution network and participant in prostitution network.

S 4899, introduced by Senators Stack and Singleton, amends New Jersey's prostitution laws to increase penalties for certain offenses and create two new crimes: "leader of a prostitution network" and "participant in a prostitution network." The bill upgrades penalties for promoting prostitution involving minors (now a first-degree crime) and for engaging in prostitution with a minor (now a second-degree crime), removing defenses based on mistaken age beliefs. It also clarifies definitions, specifying that "prostitution" includes sexual activity in exchange for economic value and that "promoting prostitution" covers acts like owning a house of prostitution or procuring a prostitute. This law directly affects individuals involved in prostitution as patrons, promoters, or participants in organized networks, particularly those exploiting minors.