Florida bill moving through Senate bars those under 21 from working at strip clubs

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A Florida Senate panel approved legislation Tuesday banning anyone under the age of 21 from working in adult entertainment establishments.

The proposal is designed to prevent human trafficking by raising the minimum age required to work in adult entertainment venues from 18 to 21 years old.

The Florida Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice approved the measure 8-1.

Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, filed SB 1690.

Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, chair of the committee, presented the legislation.

“The Florida Legislature recognizes human trafficking as a form of modern day slavery, whose victims include young children, teenagers and adults who may be citizens that are trafficked domestically within the border to the United States are smuggled across international borders worldwide,” Bradley said to the committee.

Bradley explained, in an amendment, two criminal penalties in the bill.

• An owner, manager, employee, or contractor is charged with a second degree felony if a person under 21 years age is hired to perform or work nude in an adult entertainment establishment.
• An owner, manager, employee, or contractor is charged with a first degree misdemeanor if they knowingly employ, or contract to employ, a person under the age of 21 to perform or work in an adult entertainment establishment in any capacity.

Sen. Bobby Powell, D-West Palm Beach, asked Bradley to clarify that the bill pushes the age from 18 to 21 years old.

“This extends the age from 18 to 21 for working in adult entertainment establishments,” Bradley said.

Powell voted against the measure.

SB 1690 now moves to the Fiscal Policy committee for approval. It will take effect if fully passed on July 1.

Rep. Carolina Amesty, R-Windermere, filed a similar bill to SB 1690 in the House.

Amesty explained strips clubs are hot spots for human trafficking activities.

“These are not environments conducive to the safety and well-being of young workers, who are drawn into a web of exploitation under the guise of employment,” Amesty said. “By raising the working age, we can provide a buffer of protection for our youth, reducing their exposure to potential harm.”

She said that Florida ranks third in the U.S. for human trafficking cases. She also mentioned human trafficking survivors report the average age of entry is 19 years old.

“This legislation is a step towards safeguarding our daughters and sisters, ensuring they have the chance to pursue safe careers, education, and family life without the looming threat of exploitation,” Amesty said.