Lawmakers in Albany are making a renewed push to legalize prostitution in New York State.

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Lawmakers have introduced new legislation to decriminalize sex work in New York, Fox reports. Sex trafficking and crimes related to minors would remain illegal.

"As this movement gains momentum, New York is even closer to becoming the 1st state to decriminalize sex work! Our goal is to help trafficking survivors while allowing those selling sex—by circumstance or choice—to do so safely," State Sen. Jessica Ramos tweeted on Monday.

Last year, Ramos and other New York senators tried to legalize prostitution. The lawmakers believe many turn to sex trades for economic reasons and should not be penalized. Decrim NY aims to "Decriminalize. Decarcerate. Destigmatize," sex work, according to their website.

"Criminalization does not address why people trade sex, because most people trade sex out of economic need: to pay bills, make rent, and put food on the table. People often turn to sex work after a life event such as a major health-care bill leaves them economically vulnerable," Ramos and Salazar wrote last year in an op-ed in the New York Daily News.

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