Senate Bill 138 introduces a new $5,000 surcharge for individuals convicted of various prostitution-related offenses, including patronizing or soliciting prostitutes and soliciting minors for prostitution. The funds collected from this surcharge will be allocated to support treatment and services for victims of sex trafficking, as well as to enhance criminal investigative operations and law enforcement efforts related to Internet crimes against children. The bill amends existing statutes to ensure that the collected surcharges are properly credited to the relevant appropriation accounts for these purposes.

Additionally, the bill modifies current legal language regarding the allocation of funds for Internet crimes against children, ensuring that the prostitution crime surcharge is included in the funding sources for these initiatives. It also establishes new provisions for the collection and distribution of the surcharge, mandating that the circuit court clerks collect the fees and transmit them to the appropriate county treasurer. The bill aims to strengthen the state's response to both sex trafficking and Internet crimes against children by providing necessary financial resources for victim services and law enforcement activities.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 20.455(2)(hd), 20.455, 48.48(19), 48.48