New WTF Law Re Neighborhood Massage Businesses
House Bill 197 made its way through the FL legislature and was just signed into law by DeSantis. I read the full text this morning (link down below) and made a few notes. Apologies for the long post, but this is very concerning to us folks who enjoy hassle-free visits to our neighborhood storefront massage providers. I hope that our massage girl friends and owners can come up with a workaround. They have rebounded in past years after challenges to their operations and I hope we can support them again through whatever crap is thrown at them this time. I will not provide my name, address and phone number and show I'd in order to simply receive a relaxing massage. I hope this will be challenged. Jeez! The law takes effect soon. July 1, 2024.
Notes from my read of HB 197.
Storefront window glass cannot be more than 50% obstructed with signs, curtains, etc. Reception area must be visible from the outside.
Sign must be posted on window with legal name, license number and phone number of business owner.
Employees must be fully clothed in fully opaque fabric.
Business must maintain records that include each employee's start date, full legal name, birth date, home address, phone number, employment position and government I'd.
Each employee's I'd information and a photo must be displayed visibly within the business.
Records must be maintained that include date, time and type of service or treatment provided, the full legal name of the provider and the FULL LEGAL NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER OF THE CLIENT. Records must be maintained for at least 1 year after treatment.
All information must be collected and recorded before any service is provided. Business must CONFIRM THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE CLIENT BEFORE ANY TREATMENT IS PROVIDED.
Advertising may not be placed in any advertising medium which states prostitution, escort or sexual services are available.
Business may not permit its use for permanent or temporary sleeping or napping quarters for any person.
DOH may check government I'd's of employees at anytime and if not in compliance, must report them to the federal immigration office.
DOH has emergency authority to immediately suspend a business if they find probable cause exists that any part of this law has been violated.
[URL]https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/197/BillText/er/PDF[/URL]
-AG.