Sen. Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers) recently filed a bill to tackle human sex trafficking in the state by imposing stricter penalties, particularly against those involving children and those with mental deficiencies.
Under Jonathan Martin's bill, SB 1804, an individual who knowingly engages in human trafficking by use of physical force on a child less than 12 years of age would be committing a capital felony (death penalty or life in prison).
SB 1804 also adds an individual who is 18 years or younger who commits an offense would receive life imprisonment.
Several steps would need to be determined for either sentence. A prosecutor seeking the death penalty would need to give notice to the defendant filed 45 days before the arraignment.
A death sentence would be determined under several aggravating factors, including the accused having been previously convicted of a felony under human trafficking laws and currently serving a sentence or on probation. Other factors include prior capital or violent felony convictions or if they're a sex offender.
Under a jury trial, at least two aggravating factors would need to be unanimously determined for the person to be put to death.
The bill mentions that the Florida Legislature views human trafficking as a "form of modern-day slavery", particularly when involving young children or people with diminished mental capacities. The Legislature adds the crimes sexually exploit children, rob them of their innocence, and violate "all standards of decency held by a civilized society."
Human trafficking continues to be a major problem in the United States, one not helped by illegal immigration influx over the past several years under the Biden administration.
According to the statistics from World Population Review, Florida is ranked seventh in the nation for human trafficking with 3.4 cases per 100,0000 people. Amongst states with large populations, California is just ahead of Florida (3.43 per 100,000) while Texas is behind at 2.96 per 100,000.
Mississippi has the highest rate in the country with 7.92 cases per 100,000 people. It is followed by Washington D.C. (6.4 per 100,000), Nevada (6.26 per 100,000), Missouri (3.86 per 100,000), and Oregon (3.78 per 100,000).
While still a problem, most states that have handled human trafficking the best are located in the northeast. They include Massasschussets (1.32 per 100,000), Rhode Island (1.46 per 100,000), Pennsylvania (1.48 per 100,000), Connecticut (1.49 per 100,000), and Alabama in the Southeast (1.56 per 100,000).
If passed, SB 1804 would go into effect on Oct. 1.
