Multiple laws take effect cracking down on human trafficking, fentanyl distribution, more
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A handful of laws that crack down on human trafficking, fentanyl distribution and more, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May, took effect Oct. 1.
Law strengthens penalties for human traffickers who possess or discharge a firearm
HB 1465 makes human traffickers eligible for mandatory minimum sentences when they possess or discharge a firearm during the course of their crimes.
The new law was carried by Rep. Sam Garrison, R-Fleming Island, and Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart, in the Florida House and identical legislation was carried by Sen. Bryan Avila in the Senate.
Law supports human trafficking victims and strengthens trafficker penalties
SB 7064, carried by the Fiscal Policy Committee, establishes a civil action against traffickers and allows victims to recover damages from adult entertainment establishments.
“It’s going to serve as a deterrent for some of those people knowing that now they can be liable in a more direct way financially,” DeSantis said in May.
The legislation also allows human trafficking victims to receive restitution from their trafficker’s seized property.
Law expands human trafficking awareness programs and increases human trafficking victim support
SB 1690, which was carried by Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, increases penalties for hotels that ban human trafficking laws. This will require hotels to follow current human trafficking awareness laws, and to enhance protection for the likeliest targets, young children.
Under the law, children’s safe houses would need to have enhanced security. It requires safe houses and foster homes to have age-appropriate programming that will help kids identify the signs and understand the dangers of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.
Law to punish crimes related to fentanyl distribution
A new law, introduced by Rep. Shane Abbott, R-DeFuniak Springs in the House and carried by Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, in the Senate, cracks down on crimes related to fentanyl distribution.
The law makes it a first degree felony with a minimum mandatory imprisonment term of three years if someone sells, manufactures or delivers fentanyl with the intent to sell it.
For those 18 years or older who are convicted of trafficking in fentanyl or fentanyl analogues to a minor, the seller would face a mandatory minimum term of 25 years to life imprisonment, according to the bill’s analysis.
According to a press release from the governor’s office, the law imposes additional penalties on fentanyl and other drug related crimes when the drug looks like a piece of candy which targets children, specifically by:
- Making those who traffic such substances eligible for a life sentence and imposing a minimum 25 year sentence and a $1 million penalty.
- Making it a first-degree felony to possess, sell, or manufacture fentanyl and other controlled substances that resemble candy.
Dozens of other laws took effect Oct. 1
Multiple other laws that were signed by the governor in May took effect Oct. 1 including one that allows the death penalty for child rapists and more.
