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FLORIDA legislation
CS/CS/HB 369 (2015) — Human Trafficking
SYNOPSIS:
The bill seeks to heighten public awareness regarding human trafficking in the State of Florida. The bill:
Requires development of public awareness signs according to certain specifications, containing specific information for contacting the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, as well as other means for accessing help and services;
Requires the Florida Department of Transportation to display a public awareness sign in every rest area, turnpike service plaza, weigh station, primary airport, passenger rail station, and welcome center open to the public in the state;
Requires emergency rooms to display a public awareness sign in emergency rooms at general acute care hospitals;
Requires employers to display a public awareness sign in a conspicuous location clearly visible to the public and employees of a strip club or other adult entertainment establishment, and at a business or establishment that offers massage or bodywork services for compensation that is not owned by a regulated health care profession; and
Authorizes a county commission to adopt an ordinance to enforce employer signage violations, which are noncriminal violations punishable by a $500 fine.
A Bill
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
Section 1. Section 787.29, Florida Statutes, is created to read: 787.29 Human trafficking public awareness signs. —
(1) The Department of Transportation shall display a public awareness sign developed under subsection in every rest area, turnpike service plaza, weigh station, primary airport, passenger rail station, and welcome center in the state which is open to the public.
(2) Emergency rooms shall display a public awareness sign developed under subsection (4) in the emergency rooms at general acute care hospitals.
(3) The employer at each of the following establishments shall display a public awareness sign developed under subsection in a conspicuous location that is clearly visible to the public and employees of the establishment:
(a) A strip club or other adult entertainment establishment.
(b) A business or establishment that offers massage or bodywork services for compensation that is not owned by a health care profession regulated pursuant to chapter 456 and defined in s. 456.001.
(4) The required public awareness sign must be at least 8.5 inches by 11 inches in size, must be printed in at least a 16-point type, and must state substantially the following in English and Spanish:
“If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in an activity and cannot leave—whether it is prostitution, housework, farm work, factory work, retail work, restaurant work, or any other activity—call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or text INFO or HELP to 233-733 to access help and services. Victims of slavery and human trafficking are protected under United States and Florida law.”
(5) The county commission may adopt an ordinance to enforce subsection (3). A violation of subsection (3) is a noncriminal violation and punishable by a fine only as provided in s. 775.083.
Section 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2016.
Approved by the Governor June 16, 2015.
Filed in Office Secretary of State June 16, 2015.