Governor Ron DeSantis signs new legislation that increases protections for children against sexual exploitation
Jacksonville, Florida- In a decisive move to strengthen the state’s defense against crimes targeting children, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed several new bills into law on Tuesday that aim to crack down on sexual predators and bolster safeguards for the most vulnerable residents. The comprehensive legislative package underscores Florida’s ongoing efforts to ensure justice for victims and hold offenders accountable with some of the toughest penalties in the country.
“Florida has zero tolerance for criminals who exploit children,” said Governor Ron DeSantis 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.”
The newly signed measures include House Bills 777, 1351, 1455, and 1161, with Senate Bill 1804 set to follow in the coming days. These bills, each targeting a different aspect of child exploitation and sexual crime, collectively reshape Florida’s legal approach to prevention, punishment, and protection in cases involving sexual abuse.
House Bill 777, titled Offenses Involving Children, makes critical changes to how Florida defines and penalizes the act of luring or enticing minors. Previously, such offenses applied only to children under a narrower age range, but the new law expands protections to cover any child under 14. The bill also redefines the crime to include attempts to lure children out of a location, not just into one.
Moreover, the legislation removes certain defenses often used by perpetrators. Claims of ignorance or mistaken belief about a child’s age will no longer be accepted in court. Punishments have also been escalated. A first-time offense, once considered a misdemeanor, now qualifies as a third-degree felony. Repeat offenders will face second-degree felony charges.
Another major component of the legislative package is House Bill 1351, which increases accountability for registered sex offenders and predators. The law mandates that these individuals report detailed employment information during their initial registration—including job title, business name, and contact information.
It also requires more frequent updates to address changes in residence. Offenders must now report in-state travel locations within 48 hours, either online via the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) or in person at the sheriff’s office. Additionally, local law enforcement must conduct annual address verifications for offenders and quarterly checks for predators to confirm that the registry information remains accurate and current.
House Bill 1455 enforces strict minimum sentences for sexual crimes committed by previously convicted offenders. Under the new law, registered predators or offenders who are convicted again of specific sexual crimes must serve the full mandatory minimum sentence—regardless of whether it exceeds the traditional maximum for that offense.
The law eliminates eligibility for early release, parole, or gain-time reductions, except in cases involving a governor’s pardon or conditional medical release. This firm stance aims to ensure that repeat offenders receive substantial consequences and are removed from situations where they can potentially reoffend.
In a growing digital world, House Bill 1161—known as Brooke’s Law—addresses a modern and deeply invasive form of abuse: the distribution of AI-generated explicit images, also known as deepfakes. Named after a young woman who bravely shared her personal story as a victim of such abuse, the law ensures that online platforms are held accountable for removing harmful and manipulated sexual imagery.
The legislation provides victims with a direct and enforceable path to have content taken down from online platforms. Upon a victim’s request, platforms must remove altered sexual depictions within 48 hours. At the same time, the law ensures that platforms operating in good faith are not penalized, maintaining legal protections to avoid excessive censorship.
“Brooke’s courage to speak out made it possible for us to address a very real threat that many young people face today,” said Governor DeSantis. “This law makes it clear that Florida is serious about protecting victims from exploitation—no matter what form it takes.”
Senate Bill 1804, expected to be signed in the coming days, introduces Capital Human Trafficking of Vulnerable Persons for Sexual Exploitation as a new capital offense in Florida. The law targets individuals who exploit children under 12 and those who are mentally incapacitated, providing prosecutors with the ability to seek life imprisonment or the death penalty.
The bill is designed to close legal loopholes and impose maximum penalties for the most severe acts of sexual exploitation. It focuses particularly on trafficking networks and criminal enterprises that profit from harming the most defenseless individuals in society.
By treating the sexual trafficking of young children and disabled persons as a capital crime, the state sends a clear message: exploitation will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Governor DeSantis’s legislative package marks a comprehensive response to the evolving challenges of protecting children in today’s society. The measures address crimes committed in both physical and digital spaces, and they enforce a zero-tolerance policy for predators, traffickers, and enablers.
“These laws reflect the values of Floridians who believe that every child deserves to grow up safe, protected, and free from harm,” said DeSantis. “We are going to keep pushing forward with bold action and ensure the safety of future generations.”
As the legislation takes effect, families, law enforcement agencies, and advocacy organizations across Florida will now have more tools and stronger protections to fight child exploitation head-on. The steps taken this week build upon years of advocacy and legislative work, laying a foundation for a safer future in communities across the state.
