This bill introduces significant changes to Florida's laws regarding prostitution and related offenses by creating new sections 796.011 and 796.031, which define key terms and establish prohibitions against adults engaging in prostitution, lewdness, or assignation. It allows for the admissibility of testimony regarding the reputation of places and individuals involved in such offenses during trials. The bill mandates that individuals convicted of these offenses attend educational programs about the negative impacts of commercial sex and human trafficking, which may be established by judicial circuits. Additionally, it repeals section 796.04, which previously addressed coercion into prostitution, and modifies existing laws to enhance penalties for violations related to commercial sex activities, including community service, civil penalties, and sexually transmitted disease testing for convicted individuals.

Furthermore, the bill updates the legal framework surrounding the impoundment of vehicles used in violations of commercial sex laws, allowing for a court order to impound or immobilize a vehicle for up to 60 days, with provisions for dismissal under certain conditions. It also introduces new legal language regarding exemptions from disqualification for employment in treatment facilities for individuals with specific criminal backgrounds and modifies the criteria for denying licenses to massage therapists based on criminal history. The bill enhances the funding for the Rape Crisis Program Trust Fund through additional court assessments on defendants and mandates screening for sexually transmissible diseases for those convicted of providing or offering something of value in exchange for sexual activity. The effective date for these changes is set for October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1660 Filed: 796.04, 796.06, 796.07, 60.05, 322.28, 397.4073, 397.417, 435.07, 480.041, 480.043, 480.046, 772.102, 787.01, 787.02, 794.056, 796.08, 796.09, 893.138, 895.02, 938.085
S 1660 c1: 796.04, 796.06, 796.07, 921.0022, 60.05, 322.28, 397.4073, 397.417, 435.07, 480.041, 480.043, 480.046, 772.102, 787.01, 787.02, 794.056, 796.08, 796.09, 893.138, 938.085