State Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Stuart, filed a bill to increase penalties for human trafficking which he highlighted this week.
“House Bill 219 would require a minimum term of incarceration for solicitation of prostitution offenses involving victims of human trafficking. Florida has the third highest number of human trafficking cases in the country, trailing only California and New York,” Overdorf’s office noted.
“The high number of human trafficking cases in Florida is simply unacceptable,” Overdorf said on Tuesday. “That’s why I’m proud to sponsor this legislation. Every human being is made in the image of God, and this bill puts would-be traffickers on notice that Florida will not stand for anyone being treated as anything less than that.
“This bill is an important step toward reducing incidences of human trafficking and protecting its victims. Last week, we marked Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Legislature to make sure we do all we can to fight this evil in our state,” Overdorf added.
Overforf filed the bill last week. First elected to the Florida House in November, Overdorf represents parts of Martin and St. Lucie Counties. State Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, will file a companion bill in the Senate.
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