Pinellas Passes Anti-Human Trafficking Law

CLEARWATER, FL — Patrons of some Pinellas County businesses will soon see anti-human trafficking messages pop up in establishments they frequent.

The Pinellas County Commission on Tuesday voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance that requires public awareness signs at some businesses. The law dovetails with legislation that recently went into effect across the state.

“I am proud to be a member of this Board and support this important legislation,” Commission Chairman Charlie Justice said. “Florida has the unfortunate distinction of having the third highest rate of reported human trafficking cases in the United States. I was proud to champion this endeavor at the local level and further the law that was passed by the Florida Legislature last year.”

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A new state law that went into effect on Jan. 1 authorized the creation of local human trafficking ordinances. The state law requires public awareness signage at airports, weigh stations, turnpike service plazas, welcome centers and rail stations, among other locations. Pinellas took the requirement a step beyond by also saying signs should be posted at specialty saloons.

“If one person sees the sign and knows that there is help available – that makes this worth doing,” Justice said.

The signs required in Pinellas must be 8.5-by-11 inches and must say in both English and Spanish:

If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in activity and cannot leave –whether it is prostitution, housework, farm work, factory work, retail work, restaurant work, or any other activity – call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or text INFO or HELP to 233-733 to access help and services. Victims of slavery and human trafficking are protected under United States and Florida law.

Pinellas’ law goes into effect on March 1.

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