People who solicit prostitutes would face increased penalties under a bill that passed the Florida House.
The bill that passed unanimously Thursday 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.
Republican Rep. Ross Spano said his bill (HB 465) is a message that people are not commodities to be bought and sold.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
