This bill amends Florida Statutes related to penalties for prostitution and related offenses, specifically revising the penalties outlined in section 796.07. Key changes include reclassifying the penalties for various violations: a first violation of certain provisions will now be classified as a misdemeanor of the first degree instead of the second degree, while a second violation will be classified as a felony of the third degree instead of a misdemeanor. Additionally, a third or subsequent violation will now be classified as a felony of the second degree instead of the third degree. The bill also introduces new provisions for violations related to massage establishments, increasing the severity of penalties for offenses occurring in these contexts.

Furthermore, the bill amends sections 456.074 and 480.041 to align with the changes made in section 796.07. It specifies that the Department of Health must issue emergency orders suspending the licenses of massage therapists and establishments if they are arrested for violations of the updated prostitution laws. The bill also establishes that applications for new or renewed licenses can be denied if the applicant has been convicted of certain offenses related to prostitution. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 1688 Filed: 480.041