Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

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Additional information about human trafficking can be found at any of the following websites:

• http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/
  
  prevention/human-trafficking/index.html
• https://www.myfloridalegal.com/human-trafficking/council
• https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/awareness-training
• https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/violent-crime/human-trafficking
• https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/type-trafficking/human-trafficking
  /human-trafficking
• https://polarisproject.org/

Call the Florida Human Trafficking Hotline, at 1-855-FLA-SAFE, Text HELP to 233733 (BEFREE), or Visit the National Human Trafficking Hotline online at: https://humantraffickinghotline.org.

Yes. The human trafficking course counts towards the continuing education renewal requirement for the biennium during which you take the course.

House Bill 7063 mandated that the hotline listed be updated to Florida human trafficking number, 1-855-FLA-SAFE (855-352-7233).

The statute does not specify the method of continuing education. Check the courses approved for your profession to see if an online course has been approved.

The signs must be displayed in a conspicuous place in the establishment, which is accessible to employees.

January 1, 2021.

Yes. The following professions are required to take a 1-hour continuing education course on human trafficking by January 1, 2021:

The sign must be at least 11 x 15 inches in size, use clearly legible font that is at least 32-point in type size, and must state in both English and Spanish: If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in an activity and cannot leave, whether it is prostitution, housework, farm work, factory work, retail work, restaurant work, or any other activity, call the Florida Human Trafficking Hotline, at 1-855-FLA-SAFE to access help and services. Victims of slavery and human trafficking are protected under United States and Florida law. You can download a pdf of a sign which meets these requirements at http://www.flhealthsource.gov/humantrafficking/#signs

Yes, the legislation allows each establishment to develop their own procedures for reporting suspected human trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline or a local law enforcement agency. There is also a requirement under section 456.0341, Florida Statutes to have a human trafficking awareness sign post in a conspicuous place accessible to employees. The Department has posted examples of the sign to help establishments at www.flhealthsource.gov/humantrafficking/.

A designated establishment manager means a massage therapist who holds a clear and active license without restriction; a health care practitioner licensed under chapter 457; or a physician licensed under chapter 458, chapter 459, or chapter 460, who is responsible for the operation of a massage establishment in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, and who is designated the manager by the rules or practices at the establishment.

The legislation allows each establishment to develop their own procedures for reporting suspected human trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline or a local law enforcement agency. The Department has posted examples of reporting procedures and signs outlining these procedures to help establishments get started developing their own procedures at www.flhealthsource.gov/humantrafficking/.

The sign and the procedures for reporting suspected human trafficking must be in place no later than January 1, 2021.

The sign outlining the procedures for reporting suspected human trafficking must be displayed in a conspicuous place in the establishment which is accessible to employees.

No. The DEM is defined as the manager of the establishment and responsible for operating the establishment in accordance with the laws and rules. This responsibility must belong to a single licensed massage therapist actively practicing in that establishment.

You must notify the Board within ten days of a change in the DEM of your establishment.

File Form DH MQA-5040 with the Board whenever you have a change of DEM. This Form can be found at www.flhealthsource.com/humantrafficking

The first requirement for a DEM is to be a licensed Florida Massage Therapist with a clear and active license, or a Florida licensed Acupuncturist, Medical Doctor Osteopathic Physician, or a Chiropractor. You can find the license status of all Florida Massage Therapists on our website at: https://appsmqa.doh.state.fl.us/MQASearchServices/Home

To qualify as a DEM a person must:

1. Hold an active, clear license as a Massage Therapist in Florida, or a Florida licensed Acupuncturist, Medical Doctor Osteopathic Physician, or a Chiropractor.
2. Practice at the establishment for which they have been delegated.
3. Be designated as the manager of the establishment and responsible for operating the establishment in accordance with the laws and rules.
4. Not have criminal history as described in Section 480.043(8), F.S., nor disciplinary action taken for sexual misconduct involving prostitution or for crimes related to the practice of massage therapy involving prostitution.

The law states that the sign must include “the relevant provisions of the reporting procedure.” The relevant provisions include, but are not limited to, the phone numbers and other contact information for the National Human Trafficking Hotline or for the local law enforcement agency where the suspected human trafficking should be reported to. The sign must also include any other procedures that the establishment requires its employees to follow when human trafficking is suspected. You can download a pdf of a sign which meets the requirements at: http://www.flhealthsource.gov/humantrafficking/

A Florida licensed Massage Therapist, Acupuncturist, Medical Doctor Osteopathic Physician, or a Chiropractor must practice at the establishment for which they are serving as DEM. An individual is limited in the number of establishments they can serve as DEM for to the number of locations they can actively practice at.

Yes, provided you meet the requirements to be a DEM.

No. The DEM must have a clear and active Florida Massage Therapy license without conditions.

For establishments licensed before July 1, 2019: a DEM must be named by January 1, 2020. For establishments licensed on or after July 1, 2019: applicants will have to name their DEM as a condition of licensure.

It depends on the disciplinary history. No person with disciplinary action taken for sexual misconduct involving prostitution or crimes related to the practice of massage therapy involving prostitution may serve as a DEM. In addition, to be a DEM you must have a clear, active license as a Massage Therapist in Florida. You can check your licensure status at: https://appsmqa.doh.state.fl.us/MQASearchServices/Home