HB 0469CS

CHAMBER ACTION



1The Justice Council recommends the following:
2
3     Council/Committee Substitute
4     Remove the entire bill and insert:
5
A bill to be entitled
6An act relating to prosecution of human trafficking;
7amending s. 787.06, F.S.; providing legislative findings
8and intent; defining the term "financial harm"; redefining
9the term "forced labor or services" to include
10circumstances involving the use of fraud or coercion
11against a person, the use of certain debt practices, and
12the destruction, concealing, or withholding of a person's
13identification documents; providing for attempted human
14trafficking to be an equal crime to human trafficking;
15prohibiting knowingly benefiting financially or receiving
16anything of value from human trafficking when the
17trafficked person engages in forced labor or services;
18providing criminal penalties; requiring the Florida Court
19Educational Council to develop specified instructional
20standards for certain judges concerning human trafficking;
21requiring the Criminal Justice Standards and Training
22Commission to establish specified standards concerning
23human trafficking; requiring basic skills courses for law
24enforcement officers to include training on human
25trafficking prevention and investigation; requiring state
26attorneys to develop standards of instruction for
27prosecutors concerning human trafficking crimes; amending
28s. 772.102, F.S.; expanding the definition of the term
29"criminal activity" to include the offense of human
30trafficking and the offense of sex trafficking for
31purposes of seeking civil remedies for criminal offenses;
32amending s. 772.104, F.S.; revising a civil cause of
33action relating to injuries by reason of criminal
34activity; providing for alternative damages for violations
35relating to sex trafficking and human trafficking;
36amending s. 895.02, F.S.; redefining the term
37"racketeering activity" to include the offense of human
38trafficking for purposes of the Florida RICO Act; amending
39s. 16.56, F.S.; adding prosecution of human trafficking
40and related crimes to subject matter jurisdiction of a
41statewide prosecutor; reenacting ss. 16.56(1)(a),
42655.50(3)(g), 896.101(2)(g), and 905.34, F.S., relating to
43the authority of the Office of the Statewide Prosecutor,
44the definition of "specified unlawful activity" in a law
45prohibiting money laundering in financial institutions and
46in the Florida Money Laundering Act, and the subject
47matter jurisdiction of a statewide grand jury, to
48incorporate the amendments made to s. 895.02, F.S., in
49references thereto; providing an effective date.
50
51Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
52
53     Section 1.  Section 787.06, Florida Statutes, is amended to
54read:
55     787.06  Human trafficking.--
56     (1)(a)  The Legislature finds that human trafficking is a
57form of modern-day slavery. Victims of human trafficking are
58young children, teenagers, and adults. Thousands of victims are
59trafficked annually across international borders worldwide. Many
60of these victims are trafficked into this state. The Legislature
61finds that victims of human trafficking are subjected to force,
62fraud, or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or
63forced labor.
64     (b)  The Legislature finds that while many victims of human
65trafficking are forced to work in prostitution or the sexual
66entertainment industry, trafficking also occurs in forms of
67labor exploitation, such as domestic servitude, restaurant work,
68janitorial work, sweatshop factory work, and migrant
69agricultural work.
70     (c)  The Legislature finds that traffickers use various
71techniques to instill fear in victims and to keep them enslaved.
72Some traffickers keep their victims under lock and key. However,
73the most frequently used practices are less obvious techniques
74that include isolating victims from the public and family
75members; confiscating passports, visas, or other identification
76documents; using or threatening to use violence toward victims
77or their families; telling victims that they will be imprisoned
78or deported for immigration violations if they contact
79authorities; and controlling the victims' funds by holding the
80money ostensibly for safekeeping.
81     (d)  It is the intent of the Legislature that the
82perpetrators of human trafficking be penalized for their illegal
83conduct and that the victims of trafficking be protected and
84assisted by this state and its agencies. In furtherance of this
85policy, it is the intent of the Legislature that the state
86Supreme Court, The Florida Bar, and relevant state agencies
87prepare and implement training programs in order that judges,
88attorneys, law enforcement personnel, investigators, and others
89are able to identify traffickers and victims of human
90trafficking and direct victims to appropriate agencies for
91assistance. It is the intent of the Legislature that the
92Department of Children and Family Services and other state
93agencies cooperate with other state and federal agencies to
94ensure that victims of human trafficking can access social
95services and benefits to alleviate their plight.
96     (2)(1)  As used in this section, the term:
97     (a)  "Financial harm" includes extortionate extension of
98credit, loan sharking as defined in s. 687.071, or employment
99contracts that violate the statute of frauds as provided in s.
100725.01.
101     (b)  "Forced labor or services" means labor or services
102obtained from a person by:
103     1.  Using or threatening to use physical force against that
104person or another person; or
105     2.  Restraining, isolating, or confining or threatening to
106restrain, isolate, or confine that person or another person
107without lawful authority and against her or his will;.
108     3.  Using lending or other credit methods to establish a
109debt by that person or another person when labor or services are
110pledged as a security for the debt, if the value of the labor or
111services as reasonably assessed is not applied toward the
112liquidation of the debt or the length and nature of the labor or
113the services are not respectively limited and defined;
114     4.  Destroying, concealing, removing, confiscating,
115withholding, or possessing any actual or purported passport,
116visa, or other immigration document, or any other actual or
117purported government identification document, of that person or
118another person;
119     5.  Causing or threatening to cause financial harm to any
120person; or
121     6.  Fraud or coercion.
122     (c)(b)  "Human trafficking" means transporting, soliciting,
123recruiting, harboring, providing, or obtaining another person
124for transport.
125     (d)  "Maintain," when used in relation to labor services,
126means to secure continued performance thereof, regardless of any
127initial agreement on the part of the victim to perform such type
128service.
129     (3)(2)  Any person who knowingly:
130     (a)  Engages, or attempts to engage, in human trafficking
131with the intent or knowledge that the trafficked person will be
132subjected to engage in forced labor or services; or
133     (b)  Benefits financially by receiving anything of value
134from participation in a venture that has subjected a person to
135forced labor or services;
136
137commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in
138s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
139     (4)  The Florida Court Educational Council shall establish
140standards of instruction for circuit court judges and county
141court judges who hear cases involving victims of human
142trafficking and shall provide for periodic and timely
143instruction.
144     (5)  The Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission
145shall establish standards for basic and advanced training
146programs for law enforcement officers in the subjects of
147investigating and preventing human trafficking crimes. After
148January 1, 2007, every basic skills course required for law
149enforcement officers to obtain initial certification must
150include training on human trafficking crime prevention and
151investigation.
152     (6)  Each state attorney shall develop standards of
153instruction for prosecutors to receive training on the
154investigation and prosecution of human trafficking crimes and
155shall provide for periodic and timely instruction.
156     Section 2.  Subsection (1) of section 772.102, Florida
157Statutes, is amended to read:
158     772.102  Definitions.--As used in this chapter, the term:
159     (1)  "Criminal activity" means to commit, to attempt to
160commit, to conspire to commit, or to solicit, coerce, or
161intimidate another person to commit:
162     (a)  Any crime that which is chargeable by indictment or
163information under the following provisions:
164     1.  Section 210.18, relating to evasion of payment of
165cigarette taxes.
166     2.  Section 414.39, relating to public assistance fraud.
167     3.  Section 440.105 or s. 440.106, relating to workers'
168compensation.
169     4.  Part IV of chapter 501, relating to telemarketing.
170     5.  Chapter 517, relating to securities transactions.
171     6.  Section 550.235, s. 550.3551, or s. 550.3605, relating
172to dogracing and horseracing.
173     7.  Chapter 550, relating to jai alai frontons.
174     8.  Chapter 552, relating to the manufacture, distribution,
175and use of explosives.
176     9.  Chapter 562, relating to beverage law enforcement.
177     10.  Section 624.401, relating to transacting insurance
178without a certificate of authority, s. 624.437(4)(c)1., relating
179to operating an unauthorized multiple-employer welfare
180arrangement, or s. 626.902(1)(b), relating to representing or
181aiding an unauthorized insurer.
182     11.  Chapter 687, relating to interest and usurious
183practices.
184     12.  Section 721.08, s. 721.09, or s. 721.13, relating to
185real estate timeshare plans.
186     13.  Chapter 782, relating to homicide.
187     14.  Chapter 784, relating to assault and battery.
188     15.  Chapter 787, relating to kidnapping or human
189trafficking.
190     16.  Chapter 790, relating to weapons and firearms.
191     17.  Section 796.03, s. 796.04, s. 796.045, s. 796.05, or
192s. 796.07, relating to prostitution.
193     18.  Chapter 806, relating to arson.
194     19.  Section 810.02(2)(c), relating to specified burglary
195of a dwelling or structure.
196     20.  Chapter 812, relating to theft, robbery, and related
197crimes.
198     21.  Chapter 815, relating to computer-related crimes.
199     22.  Chapter 817, relating to fraudulent practices, false
200pretenses, fraud generally, and credit card crimes.
201     23.  Section 827.071, relating to commercial sexual
202exploitation of children.
203     24.  Chapter 831, relating to forgery and counterfeiting.
204     25.  Chapter 832, relating to issuance of worthless checks
205and drafts.
206     26.  Section 836.05, relating to extortion.
207     27.  Chapter 837, relating to perjury.
208     28.  Chapter 838, relating to bribery and misuse of public
209office.
210     29.  Chapter 843, relating to obstruction of justice.
211     30.  Section 847.011, s. 847.012, s. 847.013, s. 847.06, or
212s. 847.07, relating to obscene literature and profanity.
213     31.  Section 849.09, s. 849.14, s. 849.15, s. 849.23, or s.
214849.25, relating to gambling.
215     32.  Chapter 893, relating to drug abuse prevention and
216control.
217     33.  Section 914.22 or s. 914.23, relating to witnesses,
218victims, or informants.
219     34.  Section 918.12 or s. 918.13, relating to tampering
220with jurors and evidence.
221     (b)  Any conduct which is subject to indictment or
222information as a criminal offense and listed in 18 U.S.C. s.
2231961(1) (A), (B), (C), or (D).
224     Section 3.  Section 772.104, Florida Statutes, is amended
225to read:
226     772.104  Civil cause of action.--
227     (1)  Any person who proves by clear and convincing evidence
228that he or she has been injured by reason of any violation of
229the provisions of s. 772.103 shall have a cause of action for
230threefold the actual damages sustained and, in any such action,
231is entitled to minimum damages in the amount of $200, and
232reasonable attorney's fees and court costs in the trial and
233appellate courts.
234     (2)  As an alternative to recovery under subsection (1),
235any person who proves by clear and convincing evidence that he
236or she has been injured by reason of any violation of the
237provisions of s. 772.103 due to sex trafficking or human
238trafficking shall have a cause of action for threefold the
239amount gained from the sex trafficking or human trafficking and
240in any such action is entitled to minimum damages in the amount
241of $200 and reasonable attorney's fees and court costs in the
242trial and appellate courts.
243     (3)  In no event shall punitive damages be awarded under
244this section. The defendant shall be entitled to recover
245reasonable attorney's fees and court costs in the trial and
246appellate courts upon a finding that the claimant raised a claim
247which was without substantial fact or legal support. In awarding
248attorney's fees and costs under this section, the court shall
249not consider the ability of the opposing party to pay such fees
250and costs. Nothing under this section shall be interpreted as
251limiting any right to recover attorney's fees or costs provided
252under other provisions of law.
253     Section 4.  Subsection (1) of section 895.02, Florida
254Statutes, as amended by section 3 of chapter 2005-362, Laws of
255Florida, is amended to read:
256     895.02  Definitions.--As used in ss. 895.01-895.08, the
257term:
258     (1)  "Racketeering activity" means to commit, to attempt to
259commit, to conspire to commit, or to solicit, coerce, or
260intimidate another person to commit:
261     (a)  Any crime that which is chargeable by indictment or
262information under the following provisions of the Florida
263Statutes:
264     1.  Section 210.18, relating to evasion of payment of
265cigarette taxes.
266     2.  Section 403.727(3)(b), relating to environmental
267control.
268     3.  Section 409.920 or s. 409.9201, relating to Medicaid
269fraud.
270     4.  Section 414.39, relating to public assistance fraud.
271     5.  Section 440.105 or s. 440.106, relating to workers'
272compensation.
273     6.  Section 443.071(4), relating to creation of a
274fictitious employer scheme to commit unemployment compensation
275fraud.
276     7.  Section 465.0161, relating to distribution of medicinal
277drugs without a permit as an Internet pharmacy.
278     8.  Sections 499.0051, 499.0052, 499.00535, 499.00545, and
279499.0691, relating to crimes involving contraband and
280adulterated drugs.
281     9.  Part IV of chapter 501, relating to telemarketing.
282     10.  Chapter 517, relating to sale of securities and
283investor protection.
284     11.  Section 550.235, s. 550.3551, or s. 550.3605, relating
285to dogracing and horseracing.
286     12.  Chapter 550, relating to jai alai frontons.
287     13.  Section 551.109, relating to slot machine gaming.
288     14.  Chapter 552, relating to the manufacture,
289distribution, and use of explosives.
290     15.  Chapter 560, relating to money transmitters, if the
291violation is punishable as a felony.
292     16.  Chapter 562, relating to beverage law enforcement.
293     17.  Section 624.401, relating to transacting insurance
294without a certificate of authority, s. 624.437(4)(c)1., relating
295to operating an unauthorized multiple-employer welfare
296arrangement, or s. 626.902(1)(b), relating to representing or
297aiding an unauthorized insurer.
298     18.  Section 655.50, relating to reports of currency
299transactions, when such violation is punishable as a felony.
300     19.  Chapter 687, relating to interest and usurious
301practices.
302     20.  Section 721.08, s. 721.09, or s. 721.13, relating to
303real estate timeshare plans.
304     21.  Chapter 782, relating to homicide.
305     22.  Chapter 784, relating to assault and battery.
306     23.  Chapter 787, relating to kidnapping or human
307trafficking.
308     24.  Chapter 790, relating to weapons and firearms.
309     25.  Section 796.03, s. 796.035, s. 796.04, s. 796.045, s.
310796.05, or s. 796.07, relating to prostitution and sex
311trafficking.
312     26.  Chapter 806, relating to arson.
313     27.  Section 810.02(2)(c), relating to specified burglary
314of a dwelling or structure.
315     28.  Chapter 812, relating to theft, robbery, and related
316crimes.
317     29.  Chapter 815, relating to computer-related crimes.
318     30.  Chapter 817, relating to fraudulent practices, false
319pretenses, fraud generally, and credit card crimes.
320     31.  Chapter 825, relating to abuse, neglect, or
321exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult.
322     32.  Section 827.071, relating to commercial sexual
323exploitation of children.
324     33.  Chapter 831, relating to forgery and counterfeiting.
325     34.  Chapter 832, relating to issuance of worthless checks
326and drafts.
327     35.  Section 836.05, relating to extortion.
328     36.  Chapter 837, relating to perjury.
329     37.  Chapter 838, relating to bribery and misuse of public
330office.
331     38.  Chapter 843, relating to obstruction of justice.
332     39.  Section 847.011, s. 847.012, s. 847.013, s. 847.06, or
333s. 847.07, relating to obscene literature and profanity.
334     40.  Section 849.09, s. 849.14, s. 849.15, s. 849.23, or s.
335849.25, relating to gambling.
336     41.  Chapter 874, relating to criminal street gangs.
337     42.  Chapter 893, relating to drug abuse prevention and
338control.
339     43.  Chapter 896, relating to offenses related to financial
340transactions.
341     44.  Sections 914.22 and 914.23, relating to tampering with
342a witness, victim, or informant, and retaliation against a
343witness, victim, or informant.
344     45.  Sections 918.12 and 918.13, relating to tampering with
345jurors and evidence.
346     (b)  Any conduct defined as "racketeering activity" under
34718 U.S.C. s. 1961(1).
348     Section 5.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
34916.56, Florida Statutes, is, for the purpose of incorporating
350the amendment made by this act to section 895.02, Florida
351Statutes, in a reference thereto, reenacted and amended, and
352subsection (2) of that section is amended, to read:
353     16.56  Office of Statewide Prosecution.--
354     (1)  There is created in the Department of Legal Affairs an
355Office of Statewide Prosecution. The office shall be a separate
356"budget entity" as that term is defined in chapter 216. The
357office may:
358     (a)  Investigate and prosecute the offenses of:
359     1.  Bribery, burglary, criminal usury, extortion, gambling,
360kidnapping, larceny, murder, prostitution, perjury, robbery,
361carjacking, and home-invasion robbery;
362     2.  Any crime involving narcotic or other dangerous drugs;
363     3.  Any violation of the provisions of the Florida RICO
364(Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization) Act, including
365any offense listed in the definition of racketeering activity in
366s. 895.02(1)(a), providing such listed offense is investigated
367in connection with a violation of s. 895.03 and is charged in a
368separate count of an information or indictment containing a
369count charging a violation of s. 895.03, the prosecution of
370which listed offense may continue independently if the
371prosecution of the violation of s. 895.03 is terminated for any
372reason;
373     4.  Any violation of the provisions of the Florida Anti-
374Fencing Act;
375     5.  Any violation of the provisions of the Florida
376Antitrust Act of 1980, as amended;
377     6.  Any crime involving, or resulting in, fraud or deceit
378upon any person;
379     7.  Any violation of s. 847.0135, relating to computer
380pornography and child exploitation prevention, or any offense
381related to a violation of s. 847.0135;
382     8.  Any violation of the provisions of chapter 815;
383     9.  Any criminal violation of part I of chapter 499;
384     10.  Any violation of the provisions of the Florida Motor
385Fuel Tax Relief Act of 2004;
386     11.  Any criminal violation of s. 409.920 or s. 409.9201;
387or
388     12.  Any crime involving voter registration, voting, or
389candidate or issue petition activities; or
390     13.  Any criminal violation of s. 787.06 or any offense
391involving or related to a violation of s .787.06;
392
393or any attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit any of the
394crimes specifically enumerated above. The office shall have such
395power only when any such offense is occurring, or has occurred,
396in two or more judicial circuits as part of a related
397transaction, or when any such offense is connected with an
398organized criminal conspiracy affecting two or more judicial
399circuits.
400     (2)  The Attorney General shall appoint a statewide
401prosecutor from not less than three persons nominated by the
402judicial nominating commission for the Supreme Court. The
403statewide prosecutor shall be in charge of the Office of
404Statewide Prosecution for a term of 4 years to run concurrently
405with the term of the appointing official. The statewide
406prosecutor shall be an elector of the state, shall have been a
407member of The Florida Bar for the preceding 5 years, and shall
408devote full time to the duties of statewide prosecutor and not
409engage in the private practice of law. The Attorney General may
410remove the statewide prosecutor prior to the end of his or her
411term. A vacancy in the position of statewide prosecutor shall be
412filled within 60 days. During the period of any vacancy, the
413Attorney General shall exercise all the powers and perform all
414the duties of the statewide prosecutor. A person appointed
415statewide prosecutor is prohibited from qualifying as a
416candidate for election running for or accepting appointment to
417any state office for a period of 2 years following vacation of
418office. The statewide prosecutor shall on March 1 of each year
419report in writing to the Governor and the Attorney General on
420the activities of the office for the preceding year and on the
421goals and objectives for the next year.
422     Section 6.  For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
423made by this act to section 895.02, Florida Statutes, in a
424reference thereto, paragraph (g) of subsection (3) of section
425655.50, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
426     655.50  Florida Control of Money Laundering in Financial
427Institutions Act; reports of transactions involving currency or
428monetary instruments; when required; purpose; definitions;
429penalties.--
430     (3)  As used in this section, the term:
431     (g)  "Specified unlawful activity" means any "racketeering
432activity" as defined in s. 895.02.
433     Section 7.  For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
434made by this act to section 895.02, Florida Statutes, in a
435reference thereto, paragraph (g) of subsection (2) of section
436896.101, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
437     896.101  Florida Money Laundering Act; definitions;
438penalties; injunctions; seizure warrants; immunity.--
439     (2)  As used in this section, the term:
440     (g)  "Specified unlawful activity" means any "racketeering
441activity" as defined in s. 895.02.
442     Section 8.  For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
443made by this act to section 895.02, Florida Statutes, in a
444reference thereto, section 905.34, Florida Statutes, is
445reenacted to read:
446     905.34  Powers and duties; law applicable.--The
447jurisdiction of a statewide grand jury impaneled under this
448chapter shall extend throughout the state. The subject matter
449jurisdiction of the statewide grand jury shall be limited to the
450offenses of:
451     (1)  Bribery, burglary, carjacking, home-invasion robbery,
452criminal usury, extortion, gambling, kidnapping, larceny,
453murder, prostitution, perjury, and robbery;
454     (2)  Crimes involving narcotic or other dangerous drugs;
455     (3)  Any violation of the provisions of the Florida RICO
456(Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization) Act, including
457any offense listed in the definition of racketeering activity in
458s. 895.02(1)(a), providing such listed offense is investigated
459in connection with a violation of s. 895.03 and is charged in a
460separate count of an information or indictment containing a
461count charging a violation of s. 895.03, the prosecution of
462which listed offense may continue independently if the
463prosecution of the violation of s. 895.03 is terminated for any
464reason;
465     (4)  Any violation of the provisions of the Florida Anti-
466Fencing Act;
467     (5)  Any violation of the provisions of the Florida
468Antitrust Act of 1980, as amended;
469     (6)  Any violation of the provisions of chapter 815;
470     (7)  Any crime involving, or resulting in, fraud or deceit
471upon any person;
472     (8)  Any violation of s. 847.0135, s. 847.0137, or s.
473847.0138 relating to computer pornography and child exploitation
474prevention, or any offense related to a violation of s.
475847.0135, s. 847.0137, or s. 847.0138;
476     (9)  Any criminal violation of part I of chapter 499; or
477     (10)  Any criminal violation of s. 409.920 or s. 409.9201;
478
479or any attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit any
480violation of the crimes specifically enumerated above, when any
481such offense is occurring, or has occurred, in two or more
482judicial circuits as part of a related transaction or when any
483such offense is connected with an organized criminal conspiracy
484affecting two or more judicial circuits. The statewide grand
485jury may return indictments and presentments irrespective of the
486county or judicial circuit where the offense is committed or
487triable. If an indictment is returned, it shall be certified and
488transferred for trial to the county where the offense was
489committed. The powers and duties of, and law applicable to,
490county grand juries shall apply to a statewide grand jury except
491when such powers, duties, and law are inconsistent with the
492provisions of ss. 905.31-905.40.
493     Section 9.  This act shall take effect October 1, 2006.


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