Governor Ron DeSantis signed a series of bills into law this week aimed at strengthening protections for children against sexual crimes.
The legislation, which includes House Bills 777, 1351, 1455, and 1161, targets child exploitation, sexual predation, and digital abuse. DeSantis also announced his intent to sign Senate Bill 1804 in the coming days, which would impose life imprisonment or the death penalty for severe cases of human trafficking.
“Florida has zero tolerance for criminals who exploit children,” DeSantis said during the signing ceremony. “Throughout my time in office, we’ve worked with the legislature to strengthen penalties for child abuse, hold predators accountable, and ensure that Florida remains a safe place to raise a family.”
House Bill 777 expands protections against luring or enticing children under 14, broadening the scope to include attempts to draw a child out of a home, vehicle, or structure. The law eliminates defenses such as ignorance of a child’s age and upgrades penalties, making a first offense a third-degree felony and subsequent offenses a second-degree felony.
House Bill 1351 tightens oversight of registered sexual offenders and predators by requiring detailed employment information during registration and mandating reporting of in-state travel within 48 hours. Local law enforcement will now verify addresses annually for offenders and quarterly for predators to ensure compliance.
House Bill 1455 imposes mandatory minimum sentences for repeat sexual offenders, ensuring they serve the full term without eligibility for early release, except in cases of pardon or medical necessity. The law aims to keep dangerous predators off the streets longer.
House Bill 1161, dubbed “Brooke’s Law,” addresses the growing threat of AI-generated explicit imagery. The bill is named after a young woman who shared her experience as a victim of digital abuse at the ceremony, the bill requires online platforms to remove exploitative deepfake content within 48 hours of a victim’s request.
It establishes a duty of care for platforms while preserving their legal immunity for good-faith compliance, balancing accountability with free speech concerns.
Senate Bill 1804, creates a new felony offense for human trafficking of children under 12 or mentally incapacitated individuals for sexual exploitation. Convicted offenders could face life imprisonment or the death penalty, targeting the most heinous crimes against vulnerable populations.
DeSantis emphasized that the bills reflect years of collaboration with lawmakers to strengthen penalties and protect families.
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