TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Legislation signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis this week aims to toughen human-trafficking laws in Florida.
Human trafficking involves the illegal practice of selling people for sex, labor or often both. The bill, which was approved by the legislature in May, includes creating a database of people convicted of soliciting prostitution and placing new requirements on the operation of massage parlors, strip clubs and hotels.
Attorney General Ashley Moody says human trafficking affects people from all walks of life, adding Florida has the third most reported cases of the crime in the country.
“When we talk about slavery and people profiting off other people’s pain, that we should not be dealing with that in this modern age," said Moody. "Yet, it goes on in our back yards and I think it’s protection mechanism that people don’t want to admit that.”
Moody says the new law is especially crucial this year, because Miami will host the 2020 Super Bowl, which will draw tourists from across the country.
