The Florida Senate Tuesday voted to strip away exotic dancers’ ability to work until they’re 21 years old.
The legislation (HB 7063), which passed by a 35-3 vote, doesn’t only take aim at below-drinking age strippers but anyone working at an adult entertainment establishment, which includes adult bookstores and theaters.
Legislation solely focused on such age restrictions (HB 1379/SB 1690) died, but senators amended its provisions into a broader bill the House passed last month focused on preventing human trafficking. Because of the changes, it would need to be OK’d by the House again before heading to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Republican Sen. Bryan Avila said the change “simply puts the Senate bill on the House bill.”
Some opponents say it would violate the First Amendment rights of the workers. Bill proponents say it doesn’t, framing the restriction as a matter of public safety that can circumvent constitutional protections.
Republican Sen. Clay Yarborough said he was “concerned” about those under the age of 21, suggesting “some clown” could “get a hold of her after work one evening and she’s unable to go home and never sees her kids again.”
Pressing for inconsistencies in the language, Sen. Jason Pizzo asked if filming pornography was legal under the new language. Yarborough said the bill didn’t speak to that question of what they might do as a “freelance performer.”
Pizzo noted that banning strip club performances could lead these same young people, now making upwards of $500 a night, into more dangerous situations.
He added that the language was motivated by Yarborough’s “ideological position,” and challenged Yarborough for an example of a strip club shut down for human trafficking purposes. Yarborough had no such examples or data.
“You’re saying no, you can’t do this,” Pizzo said. “But you’re not providing any other remedy.”
“They could further their education,” countered Yarborough. “They could go into other employment.”
“I’m genuinely concerned about someone who might be a full-time enrolled student in South Florida, who no longer will make (hundreds of dollars) on a Friday night (and) will go and sell their body in a much more dangerous situation,” Pizzo said.
Sen Democratic Leader Lauren Book, who noted she had been to a strip club with Sen. Danny Burgess for research purposes, said that if these girls couldn’t perform, they might end up on “OnlyFans.”
“I have a problem with going after a predominantly female profession and disallowing adults from doing a job,” the Democratic Leader said.
Under this legislation, owners would be subject to first-degree misdemeanor charges regarding those under 21 working in the clubs and other adult establishments. If those under 21 dare to bare, the penalty would be enhanced to a second-degree felony penalty for the proprietors.
Outside of the Legislature, questions abounded about what the bill would actually do. A February Criminal Justice Estimating Impact Conference meeting found that they couldn’t guarantee the bill would subject any scofflaws to incarceration, tacitly raising questions about whether this high-profile slam of college girls stripping would accomplish anything other than punitive symbolism.
If signed, it would become effective July 1.