Fla. Stat. 509.281
Prosecution for violation; duty of state attorney; penalties

(1)

The division or an agent of the division, upon ascertaining by inspection that any public lodging establishment or public food service establishment is being operated contrary to the provisions of this chapter, shall make complaint and cause the arrest of the violator, and the state attorney, upon request of the division or agent, shall prepare all necessary papers and conduct the prosecution. The division shall proceed in the courts by mandamus or injunction whenever such proceedings may be necessary to the proper enforcement of the provisions of this chapter, of the rules adopted pursuant hereto, or of orders of the division.

(2)

Any operator who obstructs or hinders any agent of the division in the proper discharge of the agent’s duties; who fails, neglects, or refuses to obtain a license or pay the license fee required by law; or who fails or refuses to perform any duty imposed upon it by law or rule is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Each day that such establishment is operated in violation of law or rule is a separate offense.

Source: Section 509.281 — Prosecution for violation; duty of state attorney; penalties, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0509.­281 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

509.013
Definitions 509.032
Duties 509.034
Application 509.035
Immediate closure due to severe public health threat 509.036
Public food service inspector standardization 509.039
Food service manager certification 509.049
Food service employee training 509.072
Hotel and Restaurant Trust Fund 509.091
Notices 509.092
Public lodging establishments and public food service establishments 509.095
Accommodations at public lodging establishments for individuals with a valid military identification card 509.096
Human trafficking awareness training and policies for public lodging establishments 509.098
Prohibition of hourly rates 509.101
Establishment rules 509.102
Mobile food dispensing vehicles 509.103
Food delivery platforms 509.111
Liability for property of guests 509.141
Refusal of admission and ejection of undesirable guests 509.142
Conduct on premises 509.143
Disorderly conduct on the premises of an establishment 509.144
Prohibited handbill distribution in a public lodging establishment 509.151
Obtaining food or lodging with intent to defraud 509.161
Rules of evidence in prosecutions 509.162
Theft of personal property 509.191
Unclaimed property 509.211
Safety regulations 509.213
Emergency first aid to choking victims 509.214
Notification of automatic gratuity charge 509.215
Firesafety 509.221
Sanitary regulations 509.232
School carnivals and fairs 509.233
Public food service establishment requirements 509.241
Licenses required 509.242
Public lodging establishments 509.251
License fees 509.261
Revocation or suspension of licenses 509.271
Prerequisite for issuance of municipal or county occupational license 509.281
Prosecution for violation 509.285
Enforcement 509.291
Advisory council 509.292
Misrepresenting food or food product 509.302
Hospitality Education Program 509.401
Operator’s right to lockout 509.402
Operator’s right to recover premises 509.403
Operator’s writ of distress 509.404
Writ of distress 509.405
Complaint 509.406
Prejudgment writ of distress 509.407
Writ of distress 509.408
Prejudgment writ 509.409
Writ 509.411
Exemptions from writ of distress 509.412
Writ 509.413
Judgment for plaintiff when goods not delivered to defendant 509.414
Judgment for plaintiff when goods retained by or redelivered to defendant 509.415
Judgment for defendant when goods are retained by or redelivered to the defendant 509.416
Judgment for defendant when goods are not retained by or redelivered to the defendant 509.417
Writ 509.2015
Telephone surcharges by public lodging establishments 509.2112
Public lodging establishments three stories or more in height 509.2151
Dining facility firesafety requirement limitation 509.4005
Applicability of ss

Current through Fall 2025

§ 509.281. Prosecution for violation; duty of state attorney; penalties's source at flsenate​.gov