(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), no state officer or employee of the department shall directly or indirectly solicit or accept funds from any person who has, maintains, or seeks business relations with the department.
(2) The provisions of this section do not apply to the solicitation of funds for charitable purposes, including, but not limited to, such organizations as the United Fund, Heart Fund, or American Red Cross.
(3) A violation of the terms of this section is a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, and subjects the officer or employee violating its provisions to removal from his or her office or employment. 