What Can We Learn From Florida Strippers? The Legal Lessons Behind Florida’s Age Restrictions in Adult Entertainment

In an attempt to combat human trafficking, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law earlier this year banning anyone under the age of 21 from working in adult entertainment establishments. A few weeks later, a 19-year-old stripper sued the state of Florida, claiming her First Amendment rights were violated after she lost her job. She argued that the State didn’t sufficiently show a connection between human trafficking and adult-entertainment establishments.

While most of the attention about the law focuses on strippers, it also prevents adult-entertainment establishments from employing ANY employees under the age of 21. The law imposes a second-degree felony charge for people who employ or allow dancers under 21 to perform nude in their establishments.

Laws Across the Country

You might ask yourself, what are the rules across the country?

• 21 States have these 21-year-old stripper laws.
• 41 States require adult establishment employees and strippers to be at least 18 years old.

Because the stripper is suing under a First Amendment argument, the case is in Federal Court. This case may involve multiple appeals, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out.

What Can We Learn from This Case?

This story offers an opportunity to discuss the difference between federal and state courts:

• State Courts: Established by each state’s laws, these courts have very broad jurisdiction and handle matters such as criminal, family, probate, and civil disputes.
• Federal Courts: Established under the U.S. Constitution, these courts have a narrower jurisdiction, limited to federal questions and constitutional matters.

For now, Florida law requires that individuals must be at least 21 to work in the adult entertainment industry. We’ll keep you updated on this hot topic as the case develops!