Gov. Ron DeSantis has approved legislation that would end the ability of people under 21 years of age to work in adult entertainment establishments.
DeSantis signed the measure (HB 7063) in Coral Gables. That legislation was amended to lift the age limit for performers and other employees of adult establishments from 18 to 21 by absorbing another bill (SB 796).
DeSantis said this legislation was part of ongoing efforts to “combat human trafficking,” contending the problem has gotten worse in recent years due to “Mexican cartels” benefiting from the “open” border.
Other leaders affirmed his take.
Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez said people across the country “look to Florida” for guidance on how to stop the “scourge” of human trafficking, again suggesting a void of leadership in Washington drove urgency.
“We are all in this fight together,” she said, before blaming “feckless” President Joe Biden for doing “little to nothing to keep our children safe.”
GOP Rep. Carolina Amesty, who championed the strip club provision, said those establishments were used to purchase “commercial sex,” with the average age of the sex worker being 19.
“My vision for the young women of Florida is to not work in an adult entertainment establishment,” the Central Florida Republican said.
The bills dealing with adult entertainment age limits had made progress in committees. But the measure seemed doomed before they became riders to HB 7063, the larger anti-human trafficking bill.
The legislation signed Monday will also extend the future repeal date of the direct-support organization for the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking, revise the human trafficking hotline telephone number and change rules on vendors licensed under the Beverage Law.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said the National Human Trafficking Hotline had “abandoned its original mission” for a “radical agenda,” after having been taken over by a “social justice warrior” who wouldn’t report infractions to Florida law enforcement, by way of stressing the importance of the state hotline.
Under this legislation, owners will be subject to first-degree misdemeanor charges regarding those under 21 working at all in the clubs and other adult establishments. If those under 21 dare to bare, the penalty will be enhanced to a second-degree felony penalty for the proprietors.
Outside of the Legislature, questions abound about what the age component of the bill would actually do.
A February Criminal Justice Estimating Impact Conference meeting found that they couldn’t guarantee the bill would subject any scofflaws to incarceration, tacitly raising questions about whether this high-profile slam of college girls stripping would accomplish anything other than punitive symbolism.
That said, a “positive indeterminate” impact is expected for prison populations, while “costs may be incurred” by strip clubs compelled to hire older replacements for younger performers and staff.
Of course, economic analysis didn’t temper passionate legislative advocacy for this bill.
In support of the amendment during Session, Republican Rep. David Borrero said strip clubs were hotbeds of human trafficking and exploitation, with minors and undocumented immigrants serving as prey for owners of strip clubs, massage establishments and brothels.
“Strip clubs are safe havens for sex trafficking,” Borrero said, wondering why people would want “teenagers” to be “targeted” in those dens of iniquity.
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