The state Senate today passed a bill that allows for a person who solicits sex for money from someone who is not a prostitute to be charged.

Sen. Robert Thompson of Paragould appeared a little uncomfortable presenting his bill as several senators could be heard chuckling. He said it was recently brought to his attention that a charge of solicitation can only be filed if the person being solicited is a prostitute.

“This does away with the necessity of proving that the offendee was a prostitute,” he said, adding that a city attorney in his Senate district told him of the loop hole in the law recently after several women had complained that a co-worker kept asking them to have sex with him for money.

“Now it’s only a crime if you solicit a prostitute,” Thompson said before Senate Bill 381 was approved 34-0. It goes to the House.