HB 0469CS

CHAMBER ACTION



1The Criminal Justice Appropriations Committee recommends the
2following:
3
4     Council/Committee Substitute
5     Remove the entire bill and insert:
6
A bill to be entitled
7An act relating to human trafficking; amending s. 787.06,
8F.S.; providing legislative findings and intent; defining
9the term "financial harm"; redefining the term "forced
10labor or services" to include circumstances involving the
11use of fraud or coercion against a person, the use of
12certain debt practices, and the destruction, concealing,
13or withholding of a person's identification documents;
14providing for attempted human trafficking to be an equal
15crime to human trafficking; prohibiting knowingly
16benefiting financially or receiving anything of value from
17human trafficking when the trafficked person engages in
18forced labor or services; providing criminal penalties;
19amending s. 772.102, F.S.; expanding the definition of the
20term "criminal activity" to include the offense of human
21trafficking and the offense of sex trafficking for
22purposes of seeking civil remedies for criminal offenses;
23amending s. 772.104, F.S.; revising a civil cause of
24action relating to injuries by reason of criminal
25activity; providing for alternative damages for violations
26relating to sex trafficking and human trafficking;
27amending s. 895.02, F.S.; redefining the term
28"racketeering activity" to include the offense of human
29trafficking for purposes of the Florida RICO Act;
30reenacting ss. 16.56(1)(a), 655.50(3)(g), 896.101(2)(g),
31and 905.34, F.S., relating to the authority of the Office
32of the Statewide Prosecutor, the definition of "specified
33unlawful activity" in a law prohibiting money laundering
34in financial institutions and in the Florida Money
35Laundering Act, and the subject matter jurisdiction of a
36statewide grand jury, to incorporate the amendments made
37to s. 895.02, F.S., in references thereto; providing an
38effective date.
39
40Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
41
42     Section 1.  Section 787.06, Florida Statutes, is amended to
43read:
44     787.06  Human trafficking.--
45     (1)(a)  The Legislature finds that human trafficking is a
46form of modern-day slavery. Victims of human trafficking are
47young children, teenagers, and adults. Thousands of victims are
48trafficked annually across international borders worldwide. Many
49of these victims are trafficked into this state. The Legislature
50finds that victims of human trafficking are subjected to force,
51fraud, or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or
52forced labor.
53     (b)  The Legislature finds that while many victims of human
54trafficking are forced to work in prostitution or the sexual
55entertainment industry, trafficking also occurs in forms of
56labor exploitation, such as domestic servitude, restaurant work,
57janitorial work, sweatshop factory work, and migrant
58agricultural work.
59     (c)  The Legislature finds that traffickers use various
60techniques to instill fear in victims and to keep them enslaved.
61Some traffickers keep their victims under lock and key. However,
62the most frequently used practices are less obvious techniques
63that include isolating victims from the public and family
64members; confiscating passports, visas, or other identification
65documents; using or threatening to use violence toward victims
66or their families; telling victims that they will be imprisoned
67or deported for immigration violations if they contact
68authorities; and controlling the victims' funds by holding the
69money for "safekeeping."
70     (d)  It is the intent of the Legislature that the
71perpetrators of human trafficking be penalized for their illegal
72conduct and that the victims of trafficking be protected and
73assisted by this state and its agencies. In furtherance of this
74policy, it is the intent of the Legislature that the state
75Supreme Court, The Florida Bar, and relevant state agencies
76prepare and implement training programs in order that judges,
77attorneys, law enforcement personnel, investigators, and others
78are able to identify traffickers and victims of human
79trafficking and direct victims to appropriate agencies for
80assistance. It is the intent of the Legislature that the
81Department of Children and Family Services and other state
82agencies cooperate with other state and federal agencies to
83ensure that victims of human trafficking can access social
84services and benefits to alleviate their plight.
85     (2)(1)  As used in this section, the term:
86     (a)  "Financial harm" includes extortionate extension of
87credit, loan sharking as defined in s. 687.071, or employment
88contracts that violate the statute of frauds as provided in s.
89725.01.
90     (b)  "Forced labor or services" means labor or services
91obtained from a person by:
92     1.  Using or threatening to use physical force against that
93person or another person; or
94     2.  Restraining, isolating, or confining or threatening to
95restrain, isolate, or confine that person or another person
96without lawful authority and against her or his will;.
97     3.  Using lending or other credit methods to establish a
98debt by that person or another person when the labor or services
99are pledged as a security for the debt, if the value of the
100labor or services as reasonably assessed is not applied toward
101the liquidation of the debt or the length and nature of the
102labor or services are not respectively limited and defined;
103     4.  Destroying, concealing, removing, confiscating,
104withholding, or possessing any actual or purported passport,
105visa, or other immigration document, or any other actual or
106purported government identification document, of that person or
107another person; or
108     5.  Causing or threatening to cause financial harm to any
109person.
110     (c)(b)  "Human trafficking" means transporting, soliciting,
111recruiting, harboring, providing, or obtaining another person
112for transport.
113     (3)(2)  Any person who knowingly engages or attempts to
114engage in human trafficking with the intent that the trafficked
115person engage in forced labor or services or who knowingly
116benefits financially or knowingly receives anything of value
117from human trafficking when the trafficked person engages in
118forced labor or services commits a felony of the second degree,
119punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
120     Section 2.  Subsection (1) of section 772.102, Florida
121Statutes, is amended to read:
122     772.102  Definitions.--As used in this chapter, the term:
123     (1)  "Criminal activity" means to commit, to attempt to
124commit, to conspire to commit, or to solicit, coerce, or
125intimidate another person to commit:
126     (a)  Any crime that which is chargeable by indictment or
127information under the following provisions:
128     1.  Section 210.18, relating to evasion of payment of
129cigarette taxes.
130     2.  Section 414.39, relating to public assistance fraud.
131     3.  Section 440.105 or s. 440.106, relating to workers'
132compensation.
133     4.  Part IV of chapter 501, relating to telemarketing.
134     5.  Chapter 517, relating to securities transactions.
135     6.  Section 550.235, s. 550.3551, or s. 550.3605, relating
136to dogracing and horseracing.
137     7.  Chapter 550, relating to jai alai frontons.
138     8.  Chapter 552, relating to the manufacture, distribution,
139and use of explosives.
140     9.  Chapter 562, relating to beverage law enforcement.
141     10.  Section 624.401, relating to transacting insurance
142without a certificate of authority, s. 624.437(4)(c)1., relating
143to operating an unauthorized multiple-employer welfare
144arrangement, or s. 626.902(1)(b), relating to representing or
145aiding an unauthorized insurer.
146     11.  Chapter 687, relating to interest and usurious
147practices.
148     12.  Section 721.08, s. 721.09, or s. 721.13, relating to
149real estate timeshare plans.
150     13.  Chapter 782, relating to homicide.
151     14.  Chapter 784, relating to assault and battery.
152     15.  Chapter 787, relating to kidnapping or human
153trafficking.
154     16.  Chapter 790, relating to weapons and firearms.
155     17.  Section 796.03, s. 796.04, s. 796.045, s. 796.05, or
156s. 796.07, relating to prostitution.
157     18.  Chapter 806, relating to arson.
158     19.  Section 810.02(2)(c), relating to specified burglary
159of a dwelling or structure.
160     20.  Chapter 812, relating to theft, robbery, and related
161crimes.
162     21.  Chapter 815, relating to computer-related crimes.
163     22.  Chapter 817, relating to fraudulent practices, false
164pretenses, fraud generally, and credit card crimes.
165     23.  Section 827.071, relating to commercial sexual
166exploitation of children.
167     24.  Chapter 831, relating to forgery and counterfeiting.
168     25.  Chapter 832, relating to issuance of worthless checks
169and drafts.
170     26.  Section 836.05, relating to extortion.
171     27.  Chapter 837, relating to perjury.
172     28.  Chapter 838, relating to bribery and misuse of public
173office.
174     29.  Chapter 843, relating to obstruction of justice.
175     30.  Section 847.011, s. 847.012, s. 847.013, s. 847.06, or
176s. 847.07, relating to obscene literature and profanity.
177     31.  Section 849.09, s. 849.14, s. 849.15, s. 849.23, or s.
178849.25, relating to gambling.
179     32.  Chapter 893, relating to drug abuse prevention and
180control.
181     33.  Section 914.22 or s. 914.23, relating to witnesses,
182victims, or informants.
183     34.  Section 918.12 or s. 918.13, relating to tampering
184with jurors and evidence.
185     (b)  Any conduct which is subject to indictment or
186information as a criminal offense and listed in 18 U.S.C. s.
1871961(1) (A), (B), (C), or (D).
188     Section 3.  Section 772.104, Florida Statutes, is amended
189to read:
190     772.104  Civil cause of action.--
191     (1)  Any person who proves by clear and convincing evidence
192that he or she has been injured by reason of any violation of
193the provisions of s. 772.103 shall have a cause of action for
194threefold the actual damages sustained and, in any such action,
195is entitled to minimum damages in the amount of $200, and
196reasonable attorney's fees and court costs in the trial and
197appellate courts.
198     (2)  As an alternative to recovery under subsection (1),
199any person who proves by clear and convincing evidence that he
200or she has been injured by reason of any violation of the
201provisions of s. 772.103 due to sex trafficking or human
202trafficking shall have a cause of action for threefold the
203amount gained from the sex trafficking or human trafficking and,
204in any such action, is entitled to minimum damages in the amount
205of $200 and reasonable attorney's fees and court costs in the
206trial and appellate courts.
207     (3)  In no event shall punitive damages be awarded under
208this section. The defendant shall be entitled to recover
209reasonable attorney's fees and court costs in the trial and
210appellate courts upon a finding that the claimant raised a claim
211which was without substantial fact or legal support. In awarding
212attorney's fees and costs under this section, the court shall
213not consider the ability of the opposing party to pay such fees
214and costs. Nothing under this section shall be interpreted as
215limiting any right to recover attorney's fees or costs provided
216under other provisions of law.
217     Section 4.  Subsection (1) of section 895.02, Florida
218Statutes, as amended by section 3 of chapter 2005-362, Laws of
219Florida, is amended to read:
220     895.02  Definitions.--As used in ss. 895.01-895.08, the
221term:
222     (1)  "Racketeering activity" means to commit, to attempt to
223commit, to conspire to commit, or to solicit, coerce, or
224intimidate another person to commit:
225     (a)  Any crime that which is chargeable by indictment or
226information under the following provisions of the Florida
227Statutes:
228     1.  Section 210.18, relating to evasion of payment of
229cigarette taxes.
230     2.  Section 403.727(3)(b), relating to environmental
231control.
232     3.  Section 409.920 or s. 409.9201, relating to Medicaid
233fraud.
234     4.  Section 414.39, relating to public assistance fraud.
235     5.  Section 440.105 or s. 440.106, relating to workers'
236compensation.
237     6.  Section 443.071(4), relating to creation of a
238fictitious employer scheme to commit unemployment compensation
239fraud.
240     7.  Section 465.0161, relating to distribution of medicinal
241drugs without a permit as an Internet pharmacy.
242     8.  Sections 499.0051, 499.0052, 499.00535, 499.00545, and
243499.0691, relating to crimes involving contraband and
244adulterated drugs.
245     9.  Part IV of chapter 501, relating to telemarketing.
246     10.  Chapter 517, relating to sale of securities and
247investor protection.
248     11.  Section 550.235, s. 550.3551, or s. 550.3605, relating
249to dogracing and horseracing.
250     12.  Chapter 550, relating to jai alai frontons.
251     13.  Section 551.109, relating to slot machine gaming.
252     14.  Chapter 552, relating to the manufacture,
253distribution, and use of explosives.
254     15.  Chapter 560, relating to money transmitters, if the
255violation is punishable as a felony.
256     16.  Chapter 562, relating to beverage law enforcement.
257     17.  Section 624.401, relating to transacting insurance
258without a certificate of authority, s. 624.437(4)(c)1., relating
259to operating an unauthorized multiple-employer welfare
260arrangement, or s. 626.902(1)(b), relating to representing or
261aiding an unauthorized insurer.
262     18.  Section 655.50, relating to reports of currency
263transactions, when such violation is punishable as a felony.
264     19.  Chapter 687, relating to interest and usurious
265practices.
266     20.  Section 721.08, s. 721.09, or s. 721.13, relating to
267real estate timeshare plans.
268     21.  Chapter 782, relating to homicide.
269     22.  Chapter 784, relating to assault and battery.
270     23.  Chapter 787, relating to kidnapping or human
271trafficking.
272     24.  Chapter 790, relating to weapons and firearms.
273     25.  Section 796.03, s. 796.035, s. 796.04, s. 796.045, s.
274796.05, or s. 796.07, relating to prostitution and sex
275trafficking.
276     26.  Chapter 806, relating to arson.
277     27.  Section 810.02(2)(c), relating to specified burglary
278of a dwelling or structure.
279     28.  Chapter 812, relating to theft, robbery, and related
280crimes.
281     29.  Chapter 815, relating to computer-related crimes.
282     30.  Chapter 817, relating to fraudulent practices, false
283pretenses, fraud generally, and credit card crimes.
284     31.  Chapter 825, relating to abuse, neglect, or
285exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult.
286     32.  Section 827.071, relating to commercial sexual
287exploitation of children.
288     33.  Chapter 831, relating to forgery and counterfeiting.
289     34.  Chapter 832, relating to issuance of worthless checks
290and drafts.
291     35.  Section 836.05, relating to extortion.
292     36.  Chapter 837, relating to perjury.
293     37.  Chapter 838, relating to bribery and misuse of public
294office.
295     38.  Chapter 843, relating to obstruction of justice.
296     39.  Section 847.011, s. 847.012, s. 847.013, s. 847.06, or
297s. 847.07, relating to obscene literature and profanity.
298     40.  Section 849.09, s. 849.14, s. 849.15, s. 849.23, or s.
299849.25, relating to gambling.
300     41.  Chapter 874, relating to criminal street gangs.
301     42.  Chapter 893, relating to drug abuse prevention and
302control.
303     43.  Chapter 896, relating to offenses related to financial
304transactions.
305     44.  Sections 914.22 and 914.23, relating to tampering with
306a witness, victim, or informant, and retaliation against a
307witness, victim, or informant.
308     45.  Sections 918.12 and 918.13, relating to tampering with
309jurors and evidence.
310     (b)  Any conduct defined as "racketeering activity" under
31118 U.S.C. s. 1961(1).
312     Section 5.  For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
313made by this act to section 895.02, Florida Statutes, in a
314reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
31516.56, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
316     16.56  Office of Statewide Prosecution.--
317     (1)  There is created in the Department of Legal Affairs an
318Office of Statewide Prosecution. The office shall be a separate
319"budget entity" as that term is defined in chapter 216. The
320office may:
321     (a)  Investigate and prosecute the offenses of:
322     1.  Bribery, burglary, criminal usury, extortion, gambling,
323kidnapping, larceny, murder, prostitution, perjury, robbery,
324carjacking, and home-invasion robbery;
325     2.  Any crime involving narcotic or other dangerous drugs;
326     3.  Any violation of the provisions of the Florida RICO
327(Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization) Act, including
328any offense listed in the definition of racketeering activity in
329s. 895.02(1)(a), providing such listed offense is investigated
330in connection with a violation of s. 895.03 and is charged in a
331separate count of an information or indictment containing a
332count charging a violation of s. 895.03, the prosecution of
333which listed offense may continue independently if the
334prosecution of the violation of s. 895.03 is terminated for any
335reason;
336     4.  Any violation of the provisions of the Florida Anti-
337Fencing Act;
338     5.  Any violation of the provisions of the Florida
339Antitrust Act of 1980, as amended;
340     6.  Any crime involving, or resulting in, fraud or deceit
341upon any person;
342     7.  Any violation of s. 847.0135, relating to computer
343pornography and child exploitation prevention, or any offense
344related to a violation of s. 847.0135;
345     8.  Any violation of the provisions of chapter 815;
346     9.  Any criminal violation of part I of chapter 499;
347     10.  Any violation of the provisions of the Florida Motor
348Fuel Tax Relief Act of 2004;
349     11.  Any criminal violation of s. 409.920 or s. 409.9201;
350or
351     12.  Any crime involving voter registration, voting, or
352candidate or issue petition activities;
353
354or any attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit any of the
355crimes specifically enumerated above. The office shall have such
356power only when any such offense is occurring, or has occurred,
357in two or more judicial circuits as part of a related
358transaction, or when any such offense is connected with an
359organized criminal conspiracy affecting two or more judicial
360circuits.
361     Section 6.  For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
362made by this act to section 895.02, Florida Statutes, in a
363reference thereto, paragraph (g) of subsection (3) of section
364655.50, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
365     655.50  Florida Control of Money Laundering in Financial
366Institutions Act; reports of transactions involving currency or
367monetary instruments; when required; purpose; definitions;
368penalties.--
369     (3)  As used in this section, the term:
370     (g)  "Specified unlawful activity" means any "racketeering
371activity" as defined in s. 895.02.
372     Section 7.  For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
373made by this act to section 895.02, Florida Statutes, in a
374reference thereto, paragraph (g) of subsection (2) of section
375896.101, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
376     896.101  Florida Money Laundering Act; definitions;
377penalties; injunctions; seizure warrants; immunity.--
378     (2)  As used in this section, the term:
379     (g)  "Specified unlawful activity" means any "racketeering
380activity" as defined in s. 895.02.
381     Section 8.  For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
382made by this act to section 895.02, Florida Statutes, in a
383reference thereto, section 905.34, Florida Statutes, is
384reenacted to read:
385     905.34  Powers and duties; law applicable.--The
386jurisdiction of a statewide grand jury impaneled under this
387chapter shall extend throughout the state. The subject matter
388jurisdiction of the statewide grand jury shall be limited to the
389offenses of:
390     (1)  Bribery, burglary, carjacking, home-invasion robbery,
391criminal usury, extortion, gambling, kidnapping, larceny,
392murder, prostitution, perjury, and robbery;
393     (2)  Crimes involving narcotic or other dangerous drugs;
394     (3)  Any violation of the provisions of the Florida RICO
395(Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization) Act, including
396any offense listed in the definition of racketeering activity in
397s. 895.02(1)(a), providing such listed offense is investigated
398in connection with a violation of s. 895.03 and is charged in a
399separate count of an information or indictment containing a
400count charging a violation of s. 895.03, the prosecution of
401which listed offense may continue independently if the
402prosecution of the violation of s. 895.03 is terminated for any
403reason;
404     (4)  Any violation of the provisions of the Florida Anti-
405Fencing Act;
406     (5)  Any violation of the provisions of the Florida
407Antitrust Act of 1980, as amended;
408     (6)  Any violation of the provisions of chapter 815;
409     (7)  Any crime involving, or resulting in, fraud or deceit
410upon any person;
411     (8)  Any violation of s. 847.0135, s. 847.0137, or s.
412847.0138 relating to computer pornography and child exploitation
413prevention, or any offense related to a violation of s.
414847.0135, s. 847.0137, or s. 847.0138;
415     (9)  Any criminal violation of part I of chapter 499; or
416     (10)  Any criminal violation of s. 409.920 or s. 409.9201;
417
418or any attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit any
419violation of the crimes specifically enumerated above, when any
420such offense is occurring, or has occurred, in two or more
421judicial circuits as part of a related transaction or when any
422such offense is connected with an organized criminal conspiracy
423affecting two or more judicial circuits. The statewide grand
424jury may return indictments and presentments irrespective of the
425county or judicial circuit where the offense is committed or
426triable. If an indictment is returned, it shall be certified and
427transferred for trial to the county where the offense was
428committed. The powers and duties of, and law applicable to,
429county grand juries shall apply to a statewide grand jury except
430when such powers, duties, and law are inconsistent with the
431provisions of ss. 905.31-905.40.
432     Section 9.  This act shall take effect October 1, 2006.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.