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Subcommittee advances bill increasing penalties for those who exploit others into prostitution
Summary
The Justice Budget Subcommittee reported HB 1467 favorably after Representative Tant said the bill raises penalties for solicitors, owners of prostitution establishments, transporters, coercers and traffickers, while not increasing penalties for people engaged in prostitution; vote was 14-0.
Representative Tant said HB 1467 increases penalties for those who solicit others for prostitution and for people who run establishments, transport, coerce or traffic individuals into prostitution, while leaving penalties for people who commit prostitution unchanged. "This bill specifically increases penalties for those who solicit, own an establishment for prostitution, transport people for the purposes of prostitution, coerce another individual into committing prostitution or traffic individuals for prostitution," she said.
Tant said the bill was brought by the National Center on ****** Exploitation and is supported by advocates including Florida Family Voice and the State Massage Therapy Association. She described the change as a correction to a disparity in the penalties that has existed since 2015. During public testimony, Aaron DiPietro of Florida Family Voice and representatives of the Florida Smart Justice Alliance waved in support.
No committee amendments were offered. The clerk conducted roll call and recorded 14 yays, 0 nays; the chair said the bill would be reported favorably. The subcommittee did not debate amendments on the floor and closed testimony quickly to meet the schedule.
