TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ People who solicit prostitutes will face increased penalties under a bill that’s going to Gov. Rick Scott.
The Florida Senate passed the bill (HB 465) unanimously Thursday. It attempts to deal with prostitution by going after people who pay for sex.
The penalty for a first offense would increase from a second-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor. A second offense would be a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, and a third offense would be a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
First offenders would also have to take a course on the dangers of prostitution and perform community service.
AP-WF-04-23-15 1924GMT<
