27 New Laws Now On Florida's Books

“Johns” who have faced arrest in the past for soliciting prostitution might want to think twice before repeating their actions.

A new law that went into effect in Florida on Oct. 1 assigns much stiffer penalties for those who choose to pay for sex. While a first offense is just a first-degree misdemeanor, the consequences of repeating the action have risen dramatically under the new law. Second-time offenders now face a third-degree felony charge that could come with up to five years in prison. A third offense is now a second-degree felony, which carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years.

Judges are now also required to assess convicted offenders a $5,000 civil penalty. One hundred hours of community service and an educational program goes along with a conviction, too.

The St. Petersburg Police Department is among many agencies in the Tampa Bay area that have been working in recent months to crackdown on prostitution. That agency said it intends to take full advantage of the new law.

“It is believed the new law will have a deterrent effect on many of those who seek out prostitutes and in doing so unwittingly encourage drug addiction, human trafficking and related crimes which affect the quality of life of our citizens and the prosperity of our business community,” an email to media from the police department stated.

The anti-prostitution law is just one of 27 new measures that went into effect in the Sunshine State on Oct. 1.

The state has also outlawed “revenge porn.” It is now illegal for people to post sexually explicit videos or photos of their exes online. A first offense is a first-degree misdemeanor. Second offenses are now considered a third-degree felony.

Help for diabetics is also included in the round of bills that became law on Thursday. The state will now require law enforcement officers to receive training to help them recognize diabetic emergencies, which are often mistaken for intoxication or drug overdoses.

It’s also now a no-no to put electronic tracking devices onto people’s property without their express consent. That means putting a GPS on a vehicle without an owner’s knowledge is now a crime. The law provides exemptions for parents tracking minors and law enforcement officers.

Other new laws include those that crackdown on impersonating firefighters, provide police with more discretion when dealing with juvenile offenders and strengthen anti-domestic violence statutes.

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