A.G. Gancarski
On Thursday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed two bills into law to combat the scourge of human trafficking. One increases penalties for perpetrators and protections for victims, while the other protects the identity of victims of human trafficking in the case of public records request
HB 465 enhances protections for victims of human trafficking, and also provides enhanced sanctions for a person who solicits another to commit prostitution.
The bill, which has multiple co-sponsors, strengthens penalties for those soliciting another to commit prostitution and similar offenses, and requires those found guilty of such offenses to perform community service, to pay for and to attend education program.
It also requires mandatory minimum sentences for multiple offenders. Furthermore, the statute allows authorities to impound vehicles used in soliciting prostitution and similar offenses, and allows human trafficking victims to expunge their criminal record.
HB 467, meanwhile, expands an exemption from public records requirements for criminal intelligence and investigative information that may reveal the identity of human trafficking victims. It also exempts victims from having their expunged criminal records revealed in public record requests.
The legislation mirrors protective measures in other states.
