On Monday, Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 7063, which imposes new restrictions and extends measures to combat human trafficking in Florida. The law, signed at a news conference in Coral Gables, bans anyone under 21 from working in adult entertainment and requires awareness signs in places like rest areas and emergency rooms.

It also mandates state contractors to prove they don’t use coerced labor and increases penalties for violations. The bill will be effective from July 1, 2024 aiming to enhance protections for vulnerable individuals.

Governor DeSantis stated, “This legislation will help better protect the most vulnerable in our communities. It will ensure that if businesses are not complying with these very modest, reasonable requirements, whether knowingly or unknowingly, they will be held accountable. And of course, anybody actively involved in human trafficking will have the book thrown at them in the state of Florida.”

Many Florida strip clubs currently legally employ dancers as young as 18 in their establishments.

DeSantis also announced that he would be approving $4.9 million in the state’s budget to expand access to emergency beds for people rescued from human trafficking and to provide additional staff to increase human trafficking prevention efforts along with a $900K grant program enhance staffing and training for law enforcement combatting human trafficking.