The Florida Senate
HOUSE MESSAGE SUMMARY
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
[2022s00772.hms.cf.docx]
BILL: 772
INTRODUCER: Diaz
SUBJECT: Protection of Victims and Witnesses
DATE: March 3, 2022
I.Amendments Contained in Message:
House Amendment – 477311 (body with title)
II.Summary of Amendments Contained in Message:
House Amendment – Barcode 477311 expands the provision that allows victims of human
trafficking to petition for the expunction of a charge for an offense listed in s. 775.084(1)(b)1.,
F.S., in certain circumstances (which was removed from CS/SB 756). It removes the provisions
in CS/CS/SB 772 relating to the protections of certain victims and witnesses in judicial and other
proceedings under s. 92.55, F.S. The amendment also deletes the provision under current law
which requires clear and convincing evidence that a victim’s participation in the offense was a
result of having been a victim of human trafficking when such determination is made without
official documentation of the victim’s status.
Further, the amendment provides that the act may be cited as the “Human Trafficking Reduction
Act”. It prohibits lodging establishments from offering an hourly rate for an accommodation, but
provides for an exception that allows an hourly rate as a late checkout fee.
Finally, the amendment reclassifies prostitution for a first offense as a third degree felony, for a
second offense as a second degree felony, and for a third or subsequent violation as a first degree
felony. It adds an offense of prostitution to the provisions of mandatory penalties, including the
inclusion of a conviction in a database, for violations for such an offense.