The bill amends section 796.07 of the Florida Statutes to increase penalties for various offenses related to prostitution and related acts. Specifically, it reclassifies violations from misdemeanors to felonies, with a first violation now classified as a felony of the third degree, a second violation as a felony of the second degree, and a third or subsequent violation as a felony of the first degree. Additionally, if the violation occurs in a massage establishment, the offense is reclassified to the next higher degree. The bill also removes provisions that previously allowed for pretrial intervention or substance abuse treatment for individuals charged with a third or subsequent violation.

Furthermore, the bill makes conforming amendments to sections 456.074, 480.041, 480.043, and 480.046, which pertain to the licensing and regulation of massage therapists and establishments. It establishes that a massage therapist's license can be suspended if they are arrested for violations related to prostitution, and it denies license applications for those with certain felony convictions. The effective date of the act is set for October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 257 Filed: 480.041, 480.043, 480.046