JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed five bills into law Tuesday during a news conference in Jacksonville.
The legislation signed on Tuesday aims to protect children from sexual predators, including mandatory minimum sentences for registered offenders. It also addresses non-consensual deepfake content and establishes capital punishment for human trafficking.
“I’m going to sign a series of bills that are going to make Florida remain as the number one state in the country for the protection of our kids first,” DeSantis said.
Press play above to watch DeSantis’ remarks
Here’s a breakdown of the legislation signed on Tuesday:
HB 777 - Offenses Involving Children
House Bill 777 strengthens Florida laws against luring or enticing children by expanding the definition of the crime, increasing penalties and eliminating certain defenses based on a child’s misrepresented or mistaken age.
HB 1351 - Registration of Sexual Predators and Sexual Offenders
House Bill 1351 strengthens registration reporting and verification requirements fr sexual predators and offenders in Florida.
This bill also enhances accountability and improves law enforcement monitoring of offenders, location and employment activities.
HB 1455 - Sexual Offenses by Persons Previously Convicted of Sexual Offenses
House Bill 1455 provides mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for specified sexual offenses when committed by registered sexual offenders or sexual predators.
SB 1804 - Capital Human Trafficking of Vulnerable Persons for Sexual Exploitation
Senate Bill 1804 establishes capital human trafficking of vulnerable people for sexual exploitation as a new capital felony offense.
HB 1161 - ‘Brooke’s Law’: Removal of Altered Sexual Depictions Posted without Consent
House Bill 1161 strengthens protections for people whose images are used in non-consensual sexually explicit deepfake content by requiring covered online platforms to implement a notice and removal system.
The bill also requires covered platforms, such as websites and online services, to remove altered sexual depictions and copies of such depictions from their platform upon request of the victim within 48 hours. It also prevents legal overreach by maintaining platform immunity for good faith compliance, avoiding the chilling effects on speech or over-moderation. And then finally, the bill gives platforms room to design their own processes while enforcing a baseline level of accountability.
This law was named after Brooke Curry, daughter of former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, who went through a distressing incident involving a fake pornographic photo posted online.
RELATED | Rising concerns over deepfakes prompt new legislation in Florida after Jacksonville teen targeted
Curry was among the speakers at Tuesday’s news conference.
“Brooke’s Law is not just about me, it’s about all of us. It’s about accountability, dignity and hope for every person who has been exploited or violated. I want you to hear this loud and clear. You have a voice, and now, thanks to this law, you have a path forward to the young people watching or listening. Never let anyone make you believe that your voice doesn’t matter,” Curry said.
