Revenge porn illegal, prostitution can lead to prison

By Brendan Farrington
The Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 11:05 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 11:05 p.m.

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Legislature passed 227 bills during its annual special session and 27 of those become laws Oct. 1. They address issues ranging from revenge porn and prostitution to training law enforcement officers on how to recognize health emergencies brought on by diabetes.

The following is a look at some of the new laws:

Paying for sex

People who solicit prostitutes will face tougher penalties and repeat offenders could wind up in prison for years. Paying for sex will become a first-degree misdemeanor for a first offense instead of a second-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 also would have to take a course on the dangers of prostitution and perform 100 hours of community service. And judges will be forced to sentence repeat offenders to at least 10 days in jail.

Revenge porn

It will now be illegal in Florida to post sexually explicit photos or videos of exes online without their consent. The practice is known as revenge porn and it involves people getting back at exes by posting photos and videos taken in better times that were meant to remain private.

A first offense would be a first-degree misdemeanor. A second violation would be a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.

Juvenile justice

Police officers will have greater discretion to issue civil citations to juveniles instead of arresting them for minor offenses.

Offenders would be able to complete community service to keep charges off their records

Impersonating firefighters

It will be illegal for people to display badges or wear uniforms or clothing that would lead people to believe someone is a firefighter when they’re actually not. It also would be illegal to drive vehicles with the words “fire department” if they don’t actually belong to a department.

Tracking devices

It will be illegal to put electronic tracking devices on people’s property or vehicles without their consent.

The law makes an exception for law enforcement, but not private investigators.

It also doesn’t apply to parents tracking minor children.

Diabetes training

The law requires the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to create an online training program so law enforcement officers can recognize and respond to diabetic emergencies and distinguish them from alcoholic intoxication or drug overdoses.