Florida is raising the minimum age for strippers, as part of many actions to combat human trafficking and support survivors.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced additional actions in Florida to stop human trafficking, including $4.9 million in the 2024–2025 budget to expand access to emergency beds for victims of human trafficking and provide additional support staff, as well as establish a $900,000 grant opportunity through the Department of Children and Families to enhance training for law enforcement officers who respond to human trafficking incidents.
“Florida is being proactive about stopping human trafficking,” said Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.
The new state legislation prohibits anyone under 21 from being a stripper, as adult entertainment establishments are no longer allowed to hire them.
“Governor DeSantis is a strong ally in our fight to end human trafficking, and I am grateful for the resources Florida is dedicating to helping victims of trafficking become survivors,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody. “I am also excited that our statewide reporting number is being added to mandatory awareness signs across Florida. If you see or suspect human trafficking, call 1-855-FLA-SAFE.”
In addition to raising the minimum age for Florida strippers, Governor DeSantis also signed HB 7063, which:
- Continues the development and coordination of state and local law enforcement and social services response frameworks to fighting trafficking.
- Requires various public facilities or other establishments which may encounter human trafficking activity to display human trafficking awareness signs with telephone numbers for either the National or Florida Human Trafficking Hotlines, and increases punishments for failure to do so.
- Requires an entity which contracts with the Florida state government to provide assurances that they do not use coercion for labor or services.
- Prohibits a minor from being employed by an adult entertainment establishment in any role and increases punishments for those who knowingly violate this law.
The announcement that included raising the minimum age for Florida strippers followed legislation signed to combat human trafficking and prevent child grooming in the state of Florida, including:
- HB 305, which expands the evidence that can be presented to a jury in sex-abuse cases where the victim is a minor and increases penalties on those who take part in the sex trafficking of minors.
- HB 1545, which protects children from grooming activities and other sexual offenses.
- HB 1131, which establishes a grant program within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to create online sting operations to target sexual predators.
- HB 1235, which creates stricter guidelines for sex offender registration.
- SB 1224, which strengthens the role of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office and implements new training requirements to ensure law enforcement properly assesses a domestic violence situation.
Additionally, last year, Governor DeSantis championed legislation that instituted the death penalty for those convicted of child rape.
“There is simply no place for human trafficking in the State of Florida. As someone who has been in the fight to combat human trafficking for more than 15 years, I can tell you that Florida has come a long way in combating this pervasive evil and is a recognized leader across the nation,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “Today’s announcement reaffirms that Florida continues to lead the way in investing in prevention, enhancing training, and providing meaningful services that will help victims get back on their feet and start to rebuild their lives again with dignity and opportunity.”
