/ Source: The Associated Press
PARIS — France's lower house of parliament holds a final vote on a bill against prostitution and sex trafficking that would punish the customer with a fine and classes.
The bill is likely to be adopted Wednesday since the National Assembly, which has the final say, is in favor of the proposal.
Prostitution is currently legal in France, but a 2003 law bans soliciting on the streets. Brothels, pimping and the sale of sex by minors is also illegal.
The measure would introduce a 1,500-euro ($1,700) fine, rising to 3,750-euro ($4,270) for a second offense. The convicted client would also be forced to attend classes highlighting the harms of prostitution.
If adopted, the bill would make French law one of the toughest against sex buyers in Europe.