KIDNAPPING; CUSTODY OFFENSES; HUMAN TRAFFICKING; AND RELATED OFFENSES

F.S. Ch. 787

in effect

F.S. 787.01 Kidnapping; kidnapping of child under age 13, aggravating circumstances.

(1)(a) The term “kidnapping” means forcibly, secretly, or by threat confining, abducting, or imprisoning another person against her or his will and without lawful authority, with intent to: 1. Hold for ransom or reward or as a shield or hostage. 2. Commit or facilitate commission of any felony. 3. Inflict bodily harm upon or to terrorize the victim or another person. 4. Interfere with the performance of any governmental or political function. (b) Confinement of a child under the age of 13 is against her or his will within the meaning of this subsection if such confinement is without the consent of her or his parent or legal guardian. (2) A person who kidnaps a person is guilty of a felony of the first degree, punishable by imprisonment for a term of years not exceeding life or as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (3)(a) A person who commits the offense of kidnapping upon a child under the age of 13 and who, in the course of committing the offense, commits one or more of the following: 1. Aggravated child abuse, as defined in s. 827.03; 2. Sexual battery, as defined in chapter 794, against the child; 3. Lewd or lascivious battery, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious conduct, or lewd or lascivious exhibition, in violation of s. 800.04 or s. 847.0135(5); 4. A violation of former s. 796.03 or s. 796.04, relating to prostitution, upon the child; 5. Exploitation of the child or allowing the child to be exploited, in violation of s. 450.151; or 6. A violation of s. 787.06(3)(g) or (5), relating to human trafficking, commits a life felony, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (b) Pursuant to s. 775.021(4), nothing contained herein shall be construed to prohibit the imposition of separate judgments and sentences for the life felony described in paragraph (a) and for each separate offense enumerated in subparagraphs (a)1.-6.

F.S. 787.001 Victim’s age; ignorance and misrepresentation not defenses.

When, in this chapter, the criminality of conduct depends upon the victim being below a certain age, ignorance of the victim’s age is not a defense. Misrepresentation of a victim’s age by any person or a bona fide belief that a victim is over a specified age is also not a defense. This section does not apply to s. 787.30.

F.S. 787.02 False imprisonment; false imprisonment of child under age 13, aggravating circumstances.

(1)(a) The term “false imprisonment” means forcibly, by threat, or secretly confining, abducting, imprisoning, or restraining another person without lawful authority and against her or his will. (b) Confinement of a child under the age of 13 is against her or his will within the meaning of this section if such confinement is without the consent of her or his parent or legal guardian. (2) A person who commits the offense of false imprisonment is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (3)(a) A person who commits the offense of false imprisonment upon a child under the age of 13 and who, in the course of committing the offense, commits any offense enumerated in subparagraphs (a)1.-6., commits a felony of the first degree, punishable by imprisonment for a term of years not exceeding life or as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 1. Aggravated child abuse, as defined in s. 827.03; 2. Sexual battery, as defined in chapter 794, against the child; 3. Lewd or lascivious battery, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious conduct, or lewd or lascivious exhibition, in violation of s. 800.04 or s. 847.0135(5); 4. A violation of former s. 796.03 or s. 796.04, relating to prostitution, upon the child; 5. Exploitation of the child or allowing the child to be exploited, in violation of s. 450.151; or 6. A violation of s. 787.06(3)(g) or (5), relating to human trafficking. (b) Pursuant to s. 775.021(4), nothing contained herein shall be construed to prohibit the imposition of separate judgments and sentences for the first degree offense described in paragraph (a) and for each separate offense enumerated in subparagraphs (a)1.-6.

F.S. 787.03 Interference with custody.

(1) Whoever, without lawful authority, knowingly or recklessly takes or entices, or aids, abets, hires, or otherwise procures another to take or entice, any minor or any incompetent person from the custody of the minor’s or incompetent person’s parent, his or her guardian, a public agency having the lawful charge of the minor or incompetent person, or any other lawful custodian commits the offense of interference with custody and commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (2) In the absence of a court order determining rights to custody or visitation with any minor or with any incompetent person, any parent of the minor or incompetent person, whether natural or adoptive, stepparent, legal guardian, or relative of the minor or incompetent person who has custody thereof and who takes, detains, conceals, or entices away that minor or incompetent person within or without the state with malicious intent to deprive another person of his or her right to custody of the minor or incompetent person commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (3) A subsequently obtained court order for custody or visitation does not affect application of this section. (4) It is a defense that: (a) The defendant had reasonable cause to believe that his or her action was necessary to preserve the minor or the incompetent person from danger to his or her welfare. (b) The defendant was the victim of an act of domestic violence or had reasonable cause to believe that he or she was about to become the victim of an act of domestic violence as defined in s. 741.28, and the defendant had reasonable cause to believe that the action was necessary in order for the defendant to escape from, or protect himself or herself from, the domestic violence or to preserve the minor or incompetent person from exposure to the domestic violence. (c) The minor or incompetent person was taken away at his or her own instigation without enticement and without purpose to commit a criminal offense with or against the minor or incompetent person, and the defendant establishes that it was reasonable to rely on the instigating acts of the minor or incompetent person. (5) Proof that a person has not attained the age of 18 years creates the presumption that the defendant knew the minor’s age or acted in reckless disregard thereof. (6)(a) The offenses prescribed in subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in cases in which a person having a legal right to custody of a minor or incompetent person is the victim of any act of domestic violence, has reasonable cause to believe he or she is about to become the victim of any act of domestic violence, as defined in s. 741.28, or believes that his or her action was necessary to preserve the minor or the incompetent person from danger to his or her welfare and seeks shelter from such acts or possible acts and takes with him or her the minor or incompetent person. (b) In order to gain the exception conferred by paragraph (a), a person who takes a minor or incompetent person under this subsection must: 1. Within 10 days after taking the minor or incompetent person, make a report to the sheriff’s office or state attorney’s office for the county in which the minor or incompetent person resided at the time he or she was taken, which report must include the name of the person taking the minor or incompetent person, the current address and telephone number of the person and minor or incompetent person, and the reasons the minor or incompetent person was taken. 2. Within a reasonable time after taking a minor, commence a custody proceeding that is consistent with the federal Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act, 28 U.S.C. s. 1738A, or the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, ss. 61.501-61.542. 3. Inform the sheriff’s office or state attorney’s office for the county in which the minor or incompetent person resided at the time he or she was taken of any change of address or telephone number of the person and the minor or incompetent person. (c)1. The current address and telephone number of the person and the minor or incompetent person which are contained in the report made to a sheriff or state attorney under paragraph (b) are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. 2. A sheriff or state attorney may allow an agency, as defined in s. 119.011, to inspect and copy records made confidential and exempt under this paragraph in the furtherance of that agency’s duties and responsibilities.

F.S. 787.04 Removing minors from state or concealing minors contrary to state agency order or court order.

(1) It is unlawful for any person, in violation of a court order, to lead, take, entice, or remove a minor beyond the limits of this state, or to conceal the location of a minor, with personal knowledge of the order. (2) It is unlawful for any person, with criminal intent, to lead, take, entice, or remove a minor beyond the limits of this state, or to conceal the location of a minor, during the pendency of any action or proceeding affecting custody of the minor, after having received notice as required by law of the pendency of the action or proceeding, without the permission of the court in which the action or proceeding is pending. (3) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly and willfully lead, take, entice, or remove a minor beyond the limits of this state, or to knowingly and willfully conceal the location of a minor, during the pendency of a dependency proceeding affecting such minor or during the pendency of any investigation, action, or proceeding concerning the alleged abuse or neglect of such minor, after having received actual or constructive notice of the pendency of such investigation, action, or proceeding and without the permission of the state agency or court in which the investigation, action, or proceeding is pending. (4) It is unlawful for any person, who has carried beyond the limits of this state any minor whose custody is involved in any action or proceeding pending in this state pursuant to the order of the court in which the action or proceeding is pending or pursuant to the permission of the court, thereafter, to fail to produce the minor in the court or deliver the minor to the person designated by the court. (5) It is a defense under this section that a person who leads, takes, entices, or removes a minor beyond the limits of the state reasonably believes that his or her action was necessary to protect the minor from child abuse as defined in s. 827.03. (6) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

F.S. 787.06 Human trafficking.

(1)(a) The Legislature finds that human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. Victims of human trafficking are young children, teenagers, and adults. Thousands of victims are trafficked annually across international borders worldwide. Many of these victims are trafficked into this state. Victims of human trafficking also include citizens of the United States and those persons trafficked domestically within the borders of the United States. The Legislature finds that victims of human trafficking are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. (b) The Legislature finds that while many victims of human trafficking are forced to work in prostitution or the sexual entertainment industry, trafficking also occurs in forms of labor exploitation, such as domestic servitude, restaurant work, janitorial work, sweatshop factory work, and migrant agricultural work. (c) The Legislature finds that traffickers use various techniques to instill fear in victims and to keep them enslaved. Some traffickers keep their victims under lock and key. However, the most frequently used practices are less obvious techniques that include isolating victims from the public and family members; confiscating passports, visas, or other identification documents; using or threatening to use violence toward victims or their families; telling victims that they will be imprisoned or deported for immigration violations if they contact authorities; and controlling the victims’ funds by holding the money ostensibly for safekeeping. (d) It is the intent of the Legislature that the perpetrators of human trafficking be penalized for their illegal conduct and that the victims of trafficking be protected and assisted by this state and its agencies. In furtherance of this policy, it is the intent of the Legislature that the state Supreme Court, The Florida Bar, and relevant state agencies prepare and implement training programs in order that judges, attorneys, law enforcement personnel, investigators, and others are able to identify traffickers and victims of human trafficking and direct victims to appropriate agencies for assistance. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Department of Children and Families and other state agencies cooperate with other state and federal agencies to ensure that victims of human trafficking can access social services and benefits to alleviate their plight. (2) As used in this section, the term: (a) “Coercion” means: 1. Using or threatening to use physical force against any person; 2. Restraining, isolating, or confining or threatening to restrain, isolate, or confine any person without lawful authority and against her or his will; 3. Using lending or other credit methods to establish a debt by any person when labor or services are pledged as a security for the debt, if the value of the labor or services as reasonably assessed is not applied toward the liquidation of the debt, the length and nature of the labor or services are not respectively limited and defined; 4. Destroying, concealing, removing, confiscating, withholding, or possessing any actual or purported passport, visa, or other immigration document, or any other actual or purported government identification document, of any person; 5. Causing or threatening to cause financial harm to any person; 6. Enticing or luring any person by fraud or deceit; or 7. Providing a controlled substance as outlined in Schedule I or Schedule II of s. 893.03 to any person for the purpose of exploitation of that person. (b) “Commercial sexual activity” means any violation of chapter 796 or an attempt to commit any such offense, and includes sexually explicit performances and the production of pornography. (c) “Financial harm” includes extortionate extension of credit, loan sharking as defined in s. 687.071, or employment contracts that violate the statute of frauds as provided in s. 725.01. (d) “Human trafficking” means transporting, soliciting, recruiting, harboring, providing, enticing, maintaining, purchasing, patronizing, procuring, or obtaining another person for the purpose of exploitation of that person. (e) “Labor” means work of economic or financial value. (f) “Maintain” means, in relation to labor or services, to secure or make possible continued performance thereof, regardless of any initial agreement on the part of the victim to perform such type service. (g) “Obtain” means, in relation to labor, commercial sexual activity, or services, to receive, take possession of, or take custody of another person or secure performance thereof. (h) “Services” means any act committed at the behest of, under the supervision of, or for the benefit of another. The term includes, but is not limited to, forced marriage, servitude, or the removal of organs. (i) “Sexual exploitation” means any violation of s. 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10). (j) “Sexually explicit performance” means an act or show, whether public or private, that is live, photographed, recorded, or videotaped and intended to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires or appeal to the prurient interest. (k) “Unauthorized alien” means an alien who is not authorized under federal law to be employed in the United States, as provided in 8 U.S.C. s. 1324a(h)(3). The term shall be interpreted consistently with that section and any applicable federal rules or regulations. (l) “Venture” means any group of two or more individuals associated in fact, whether or not a legal entity. (3) Any person who knowingly, or in reckless disregard of the facts, engages in human trafficking, or attempts to engage in human trafficking, or benefits financially by receiving anything of value from participation in a venture that has subjected a person to human trafficking: (a)1. For labor or services of any child younger than 18 years of age or an adult believed by the person to be a child younger than 18 years of age commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 2. Using coercion for labor or services of an adult commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (b) Using coercion for commercial sexual activity of an adult commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (c)1. For labor or services of any child younger than 18 years of age or an adult believed by the person to be a child younger than 18 years of age who is an unauthorized alien commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 2. Using coercion for labor or services of an adult who is an unauthorized alien commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (d) Using coercion for commercial sexual activity of an adult who is an unauthorized alien commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (e)1. For labor or services who does so by the transfer or transport of any child younger than 18 years of age or an adult believed by the person to be a child younger than 18 years of age from outside this state to within this state commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 2. Using coercion for labor or services who does so by the transfer or transport of an adult from outside this state to within this state commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (f)1. For commercial sexual activity who does so by the transfer or transport of any child younger than 18 years of age or an adult believed by the person to be a child younger than 18 years of age from outside this state to within this state commits a felony of the first degree, punishable by imprisonment for a term of years not exceeding life, or as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 2. Using coercion for commercial sexual activity who does so by the transfer or transport of an adult from outside this state to within this state commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (g) For commercial sexual activity in which any child younger than 18 years of age or an adult believed by the person to be a child younger than 18 years of age, or in which any person who is mentally defective or mentally incapacitated as those terms are defined in s. 794.011(1), is involved commits a life felony, punishable as provided in s. 775.082(3)(a)6., s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. For each instance of human trafficking of any individual under this subsection, a separate crime is committed and a separate punishment is authorized. (4)(a) Any parent, legal guardian, or other person having custody or control of a minor who sells or otherwise transfers custody or control of such minor, or offers to sell or otherwise transfer custody of such minor, with knowledge or in reckless disregard of the fact that, as a consequence of the sale or transfer, the minor will be subject to human trafficking commits a life felony, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (b) Any person who, for the purpose of committing or facilitating an offense under this section, permanently brands, or directs to be branded, a victim of an offense under this section commits a second degree felony, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. For purposes of this subsection, the term “permanently branded” means a mark on the individual’s body that, if it can be removed or repaired at all, can only be removed or repaired by surgical means, laser treatment, or other medical procedure. (5)(a) Any person 18 years of age or older who knowingly initiates, organizes, plans, finances, directs, manages, or supervises a venture that has subjected a child younger than 12 years of age, or a person who is mentally defective or mentally incapacitated as those terms are defined in s. 794.011(1), to human trafficking for sexual exploitation commits capital human trafficking of vulnerable persons for sexual exploitation, a capital felony punishable as provided in ss. 775.082 and 921.1427. (b) For each instance of human trafficking of any individual under paragraph (a), a separate crime is committed and a separate punishment is authorized. (c) In all capital cases under this subsection, the procedure in s. 921.1427 shall be followed to determine a sentence of death or life imprisonment. (d) If the prosecutor intends to seek the death penalty, the prosecutor must give notice to the defendant and file the notice with the court within 45 days after arraignment. The notice must contain a list of the aggravating factors the state intends to prove and has reason to believe it can prove beyond a reasonable doubt. The court may allow the prosecutor to amend the notice upon a showing of good cause. (6) The Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission shall establish standards for basic and advanced training programs for law enforcement officers in the subjects of investigating and preventing human trafficking crimes. Every basic skills course required for law enforcement officers to obtain initial certification must include training on human trafficking crime prevention and investigation. (7) Each state attorney shall develop standards of instruction for prosecutors to receive training on the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking crimes and shall provide for periodic and timely instruction. (8) Any real property or personal property that was used, attempted to be used, or intended to be used in violation of this section may be seized and shall be forfeited as provided by the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act. After satisfying any liens on the property, the remaining proceeds from the sale of any property seized under this section and owned by a defendant convicted of a violation of this section must first be allocated to pay any order of restitution of a human trafficking victim in the criminal case for which the owner was convicted. If there are multiple human trafficking victims in the criminal case, the remaining proceeds must be allocated equally among the victims to pay restitution. If the proceeds are sufficient to pay any such order of restitution, any remaining proceeds must be disbursed as required by s. 932.7055(5)-(9). (9) The degree of an offense shall be reclassified as follows if a person causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement to another person during the commission of an offense under this section: (a) A felony of the second degree shall be reclassified as a felony of the first degree. (b) A felony of the first degree shall be reclassified as a life felony. (10) In a prosecution under this section, the defendant’s ignorance of the victim’s age, the victim’s misrepresentation of his or her age, or the defendant’s bona fide belief of the victim’s age cannot be raised as a defense. (11)(a) Information about the location of a residential facility offering services for adult victims of human trafficking involving commercial sexual activity, which is held by an agency, as defined in s. 119.011, is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. This exemption applies to such confidential and exempt information held by an agency before, on, or after the effective date of the exemption. (b) Information about the location of a residential facility offering services for adult victims of human trafficking involving commercial sexual activity may be provided to an agency, as defined in s. 119.011, as necessary to maintain health and safety standards and to address emergency situations in the residential facility. (c) The exemptions from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution provided in this subsection do not apply to facilities licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration. (12) A victim’s lack of chastity or the willingness or consent of a victim is not a defense to prosecution under this section if the victim was under 18 years of age at the time of the offense. (13) The Legislature encourages each state attorney to adopt a pro-prosecution policy for human trafficking offenses, as provided in this section. After consulting the victim, or making a good faith attempt to consult the victim, the state attorney shall determine the filing, nonfiling, or diversion of criminal charges even in circumstances when there is no cooperation from a victim or over the objection of the victim, if necessary. (14) When a contract is executed, renewed, or extended between a nongovernmental entity and a governmental entity, the nongovernmental entity must provide the governmental entity with an affidavit signed by an officer or a representative of the nongovernmental entity under penalty of perjury attesting that the nongovernmental entity does not use coercion for labor or services as defined in this section. For purposes of this subsection, the term “governmental entity” has the same meaning as in s. 287.138(1).

F.S. 787.07 Human smuggling.

(1) Except as provided in subsections (3), (4), and (5), a person who knowingly and willfully transports into this state an individual whom the person knows, or reasonably should know, has entered the United States in violation of law and has not been inspected by the Federal Government since his or her unlawful entry from another country commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (2) A person commits a separate offense for each individual he or she transports into this state in violation of this section. (3) A person who transports a minor into this state in violation of subsection (1) commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (4) A person who commits five or more separate offenses under this section during a single episode commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (5)(a) A person with a prior conviction under this section who commits a subsequent violation of this section commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (b) As used in paragraph (a), the term “conviction” means a determination of guilt that is the result of a plea agreement or a trial, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld or a plea of nolo contendere is entered. (6) Proof that a person knowingly and willfully presented false identification or gave false information to a law enforcement officer who is conducting an investigation for a violation of this section gives rise to an inference that such person was aware that the transported individual has entered the United States in violation of the law and had not been inspected by the Federal Government since his or her unlawful entry. (7) A person who is arrested for a violation of this section must be held in custody until brought before the court for admittance to pretrial release in accordance with chapter 903.

F.S. 787.025 Luring or enticing a child.

(1) As used in this section, the term: (a) “Structure” means a building of any kind, either temporary or permanent, which has a roof over it, together with the curtilage thereof. (b) “Dwelling” means a building or conveyance of any kind, either temporary or permanent, mobile or immobile, which has a roof over it and is designed to be occupied by people lodging together therein at night, together with the curtilage thereof. (c) “Conveyance” means any motor vehicle, ship, vessel, railroad car, trailer, aircraft, or sleeping car. (d) “Convicted” means a determination of guilt which is the result of a trial or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld. (2)(a) A person 18 years of age or older who intentionally lures or entices, or attempts to lure or entice, a child under the age of 14 into or out of a structure, dwelling, or conveyance for other than a lawful purpose commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (b) A person 18 years of age or older who, having been previously convicted of a violation of paragraph (a), intentionally lures or entices, or attempts to lure or entice, a child under the age of 14 into or out of a structure, dwelling, or conveyance for other than a lawful purpose commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (c) A person 18 years of age or older who, having been previously convicted of a violation of chapter 794, s. 800.04, or s. 847.0135(5), or a violation of a similar law of another jurisdiction, intentionally lures or entices, or attempts to lure or entice, a child under the age of 14 into or out of a structure, dwelling, or conveyance for other than a lawful purpose commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (3) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this section that: (a) The person reasonably believed that his or her action was necessary to prevent the child from being seriously injured. (b) The person lured or enticed, or attempted to lure or entice, the child under the age of 14 into or out of a structure, dwelling, or conveyance for a lawful purpose. (c) The person’s actions were reasonable under the circumstances and the defendant did not have any intent to harm the health, safety, or welfare of the child.

F.S. 787.29 Human trafficking public awareness signs.

(1) The Department of Transportation shall display a public awareness sign developed under subsection (4) 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)(a) The employer at each of the following establishments shall display a public awareness sign developed under subsection (4) in a conspicuous location that is clearly visible to the public and employees of the establishment: 1. A strip club or other adult entertainment establishment. 2. A business or establishment that offers massage or bodywork services for compensation that is not owned by a health care practitioner regulated pursuant to chapter 456 and defined in s. 456.001. (b) The county commission may adopt an ordinance to enforce this subsection. A violation of this subsection is a noncriminal violation and punishable by a fine only as provided in s. 775.083. (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 Florida Human Trafficking Hotline, 1-855-FLA-SAFE, to access help and services. Victims of slavery and human trafficking are protected under United States and Florida law.”

F.S. 787.30 Employing persons under the age of 21 years in adult entertainment establishments prohibited.

(1) As used in this section, the term: (a) “Adult entertainment establishment” has the same meaning as in s. 847.001. (b) “Nude” means the showing of the human male or female genitals, pubic area, or buttock with less than a fully opaque covering; or the showing of the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering of any portion thereof below the top of the nipple; or the depiction of covered male genitals in a discernibly turgid state. A mother’s breastfeeding of her baby does not under any circumstance constitute nudity, regardless of whether the nipple is covered during or incidental to feeding. (2)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), an owner, a manager, an employee, or a contractor of an adult entertainment establishment who knowingly employs, contracts with, contracts with another person to employ, or otherwise permits a person younger than 21 years of age to perform or work in an adult entertainment establishment commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. (b) An owner, a manager, an employee, or a contractor of an adult entertainment establishment who knowingly employs, contracts with, contracts with another person to employ, or otherwise permits a person younger than 21 years of age to perform or work while nude in an adult entertainment establishment commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (3) An owner, a manager, an employee, or a contractor of an adult entertainment establishment who permits a person to perform as an entertainer or work in any capacity for the establishment shall carefully check the person’s driver license or identification card issued by this state or another state of the United States, a passport, or a United States Uniformed Services identification card presented by the person and act in good faith and in reliance upon the representation and appearance of the person in the belief that the person is 21 years of age or older. (4) For purposes of this section, a person’s ignorance of another person’s age or a person’s misrepresentation of his or her age may not be raised as a defense in a prosecution for a violation of this section.

F.S. 787.035 Sheltering unmarried minors; aiding unmarried minor runaways; violations.

(1)(a) A person who is not an authorized agent of the department or the Department of Children and Families may not knowingly shelter an unmarried minor for more than 24 hours without the consent of the minor’s parent or guardian or without notifying a law enforcement officer of the minor’s name and the fact that the minor is being provided shelter. (b) A person may not knowingly provide aid to an unmarried minor who has run away from home without first contacting the minor’s parent or guardian or notifying a law enforcement officer. The aid prohibited under this paragraph includes assisting the minor in obtaining shelter, such as hotel lodgings. (2) A person who violates this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

F.S. 787.061 Civil actions by victims of human trafficking.

(1) FINDINGS. — The Legislature finds that it is necessary to provide a civil cause of action for the recovery of specified damages and costs in order to achieve the intent of the Legislature relating to human trafficking as expressed in s. 787.06(1)(d). (2) DEFINITIONS. — As used in this section, the term: (a) “Human trafficking” has the same meaning as provided in s. 787.06(2). (b) “Victim of human trafficking” means a person subjected to coercion, as defined in s. 787.06(2), or by any other means, for the purpose of being used in human trafficking; a child under 18 years of age subjected to human trafficking; or an individual subjected to human trafficking as defined by federal law. (3) CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION. — (a) A victim of human trafficking has a civil cause of action against an adult theater, as defined in s. 847.001(2)(b), or an owner, an operator, or a manager of such theater, that knowingly allows a victim of human trafficking to work, perform, or dance at the adult theater. Such victim may recover damages as provided in this section. (b) The action may be brought in any circuit court of competent jurisdiction in this state. (c) A victim who prevails in any such action may recover economic and noneconomic damages; punitive damages, as provided in ss. 768.72, 768.725, and 768.73; reasonable attorney fees; and costs. 1. Economic damages include, but are not limited to, past and future medical and mental health expenses; repatriation expenses, when a victim elects repatriation; and all other reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the victim in the past or estimated to be incurred by the victim in the future as a result of the human trafficking. 2. Noneconomic damages are nonfinancial losses that would not have occurred but for the victimization, and include pain and suffering, inconvenience, physical impairment, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of capacity for enjoyment of life, and other nonfinancial losses. (d) The civil remedies provided for in this section do not preempt any other remedy or cause of action provided by law, except that a victim may not recover against the same defendant under both this section and s. 772.104(2). (e) If the factfinder determines a parent or legal guardian knowingly trafficked the victim, facilitated such trafficking, or otherwise participated in the human trafficking of the victim, the court may not allow such parent or legal guardian to receive any distribution of damages awarded under this section. (f) The court shall have specific authority to consolidate civil actions for the same defendant for the purpose of case resolution and aggregate jurisdiction. (4) STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS. — The statute of limitations as specified in s. 95.11(8) or (10), as applicable, governs an action brought under this section.

Source: FL Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/Chapter787/AllFetched: 7/8/2026