Florida Legislature Passes Bill Banning Strippers Under 21

It's almost official, as Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to now sign the bill into law, as the Florida legislature passed a bill to ban strippers under the age of 21. We first discussed the bills back on February 16, 2024 when they were still in committee. As a reminder, the bill (now

passed) applies to businesses that fall under the definition of adult entertainment, which would include strip clubs, burlesque shows, adult bookstores and adult theaters--in none of which would performers under the age of 21 be allowed to appear nude. The Florida Senate passed the bill with just three “no” votes, and the Florida House followed with a 104-3 vote last Friday, March 8, 2024. Strippers 18-20 years-old were banned under the guise of sex trafficking. Republican Representative David Borrero reportedly said said strip clubs were hotbeds of human trafficking and exploitation, with minors and undocumented immigrants serving as prey for owners of strip clubs, massage establishments and brothels. “Strip clubs are safe havens for sex trafficking,” he said, wondering why people would want “teenagers” to be “targeted” in those dens of iniquity.

If signed into law as expected, the ban would take effort on July 1, 2024.