Bill > S1688

This bill revises the penalties for prostitution and related offenses in Florida, specifically amending Section 796.07 of Florida Statutes, which outlines unlawful acts related to prostitution, lewdness, and assignation. The changes increase the severity of penalties for repeat offenders, reclassifying certain violations to higher degrees of felonies. For instance, a third or subsequent violation, previously a third-degree felony, will now be a second-degree felony. Additionally, the bill adjusts how violations are categorized when they occur within a licensed massage establishment, making penalties more severe. Conforming changes are also made to Sections 456.074 and 480.041, Florida Statutes, which deal with the immediate suspension of licenses for health care practitioners and massage therapists, respectively, when they are arrested for or convicted of certain prostitution-related offenses, ensuring these provisions align with the updated penalty structure. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.