A Republican member of the New York State Assembly has introduced legislation that would prohibit the use of the term “sex work” and its variations in any state laws, regulations, or resolutions.

A “sex worker” is a person who engages in sexual activity or provides sexual services in exchange for payment of some kind. Sex work encompasses a wide range of activities: This can include prostitution, stripping, performance in adult content, phone sex, and even writing erotica. In other words if you are selling sex then you are a sex worker.

Assembly Bill 7008 (AB 7008), sponsored by Assembly Member Brian Maher, aims to amend the state’s General Construction Law by adding a new section — Article 2-B — explicitly banning the use of the terms “sex work,” “sex worker,” “sex-work,” and “sex-worker” in official government language.

Filed in early March, the measure was referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations for review. The bill states:

“The following terms shall be prohibited from being used in any law, rule, regulation, or resolution: (A) ‘sex work’ and ‘sex worker’; and (B) ‘sex-work’ and ‘sex-worker.’”

If enacted, the legislation would take immediate effect.

Maher has not publicly elaborated on the rationale behind the bill. However, critics say the move appears designed to roll back efforts to legitimize and destigmatize sex work — terminology increasingly adopted by advocacy groups, legal scholars, and some lawmakers aiming to move away from language that solely frames such labor in criminal terms.

First Amendment attorney Corey D. Silverstein condemned the proposal as unconstitutional.

“I don’t remember ever using the word ‘stupid,’ but that is the only word that comes to mind when reading Mr. Maher’s proposed revision,” Silverstein said. “This level of ignorance of the First Amendment and free speech is so outlandish that it warrants expulsion from governance.”

Silverstein and others argue the bill could amount to a direct assault on free expression and raise serious constitutional questions about the government’s role in policing language.

Mike Stabile, director of public policy at the Free Speech Coalition, linked the bill’s timing to recent political activity by sex workers.

“I don’t expect it’s a coincidence that this bill was introduced just weeks after sex workers showed up en masse in Albany to lobby for rights,” Stabile said. “They want to kneecap the movement by banning legislators’ ability to talk about them — or forcing them to talk about them in criminalized terms.”

Stabile added that such legislation reflects the growing visibility and political organization of sex workers and characterized the bill as a symbolic attempt to stifle that progress.

The term “sex work” is increasingly used in academic, public health, and legal contexts as a non-stigmatizing term that recognizes a broad range of consensual adult sexual labor, including escorting, adult film performance, and webcamming.

Efforts to criminalize or erase the term, critics argue, could have chilling effects on how legislators address related issues, including worker protections, trafficking prevention, and health policy.

In recent years, New York lawmakers have introduced multiple bills aimed at decriminalizing aspects of sex work, while advocacy groups have pushed for the full recognition of sex workers’ rights. Maher’s bill would represent a departure from that trend.

As of now, the bill remains in committee and has not been scheduled for a hearing.