PROVIDENCE—Rhode Island could soon end a dubious distinction: being the only place outside certain counties in Nevada where indoor prostitution is legal.

House lawmakers voted 62-8 on Wednesday to close a loophole in state law, which criminalizes the solicitation of sexual acts in the street but not behind closed doors. It now heads for a vote in the Senate.

The legislation sponsored by Rep. Joanne Giannini would end the distinction between indoor and outdoor prostitution. Under her proposal, prostitutes could be punished by a prison term of up to six months in prison and a $1,000 fine for a first offense.

Those convicted of hiring a prostitute would face similar penalties.