The Nevada Senate voted 21-0 in support of a bill to permit women forced into prostitution to have their convictions erased.
The women often are arrested for prostitution or soliciting, but their criminal records follow them when they quit, putting them at a disadvantage when applying for a job.
Assembly Bill 6 would allow a woman who was coerced into prostitution to ask a district judge to wipe out her convictions.
The measure was previously passed 42-0 by the Assembly and now goes to Gov. Brian Sandoval for his signature.
The bill gained support from law enforcement, Nevada’s legal brothel industry, women's rights groups and religious organizations.
There was testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee that there were 5,000 arrests for prostitution in Clark County and 100 arrests of pimps last year.