Legal indoor prostitution is about to become history in Rhode Island when the General Assembly meets later this month.

Both General Assembly chambers have aoproved legislation banning indoor prostitution, but the House version contains stiffer penalties. Under the House bill, even first-time offenders would be subject to hail time. The Senate version treated a first conviction as a civil penalty with a $100 fine.

``I am confident that the House and Senate will be able to come up with a solution,'' says Rep. Joanne Giannini, D-Providence, sponsor of the House measure. ``I'm hoping we can take care of this in October and I'm hopeful we can close the loophole on prostitution.''

Negotiators for the House, Senate and law enforcement officials, including the state police and Atty. Gen. Patrick Lynch's office, have been involved in negotiations to forge a compromise betweeen the two chambers.

Sen. Rhoda Perry, D-Providence,  argued against the tough penalties but now says she is resigned to their approval. Perry says she is pleased that the compromise bill wil include sanctions againat customers of prostitutes, commonly referred to as `Johns.'

The measure is expected to be approved when the Assembly reconvenes on October 28.