In Tallahassee, Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis signed another series of six bills on Tuesday, contributing to the growing collection of over 100 new state laws set to take effect this year.
Many of Tuesday’s latest laws deal with crimes like human trafficking and luring children, as well as new rules for sex offenders in the state.
Most of these laws are scheduled to become effective in October, with one slated for the following month along with more than 80 others. To see a comprehensive list of the new laws that will come into force on July 1, you can click here.
In the meantime, you can read more about each of Tuesday’s new laws below:
HB 751 — Health Insurance (Law Enforcement)
The implementation of House Bill 751 will extend employer-provided health insurance benefits to include coverage for law enforcement officers and correctional officers who sustain a “catastrophic” injury while participating in an official training exercise or in the line of duty.
The law is dubbed the “Deputy Andy Lahera Act,” named for a Citrus County deputy who was struck by a car while on duty in 2023, which left him with a traumatic brain injury.
The law is set to take effect on July 1.
HB 777 — Luring Children
House Bill 777 creates harsher penalties for the crime of luring a child into a building for illicit purposes.
Under this law, the charge can now be applied to cases where the victim is under the age of 14 (as opposed to the previous threshold of 12 years old).
In addition, the law expands the crime to situations where a child is lured out of a building, home or vehicle.
Beyond that, the law also eliminates legal defenses against this sort of charge, including ignorance or misrepresentation of the victim’s age.
The law is set to take effect on Oct. 1.
HB 1161 — Deepfake Pornography
House Bill 1161 — dubbed “Brooke’s Law” — requires online platforms and websites to remove “altered sexual depictions” upon request from a victim.
After receiving such a request, these platforms must remove the content within 48 hours.
In addition, the law gives these platforms until Dec. 31 to set up a way for victims to request a removal.
The law took effect upon being signed.
HB 1351 — Sexual Predators
House Bill 1351 revises reporting requirements for sexual predators and offenders.
Under this law, such predators/offenders must report where they work and their work phone number.
Furthermore, the law requires local law enforcement to verify the home address of a sexual predator at least four times per year (only once per year for sexual offenders).
The law is set to take effect on Oct. 1.
HB 1455 — Minimum Sentencing
House Bill 1455 establishes mandatory minimum sentences for sexual offenders and predators if they are convicted of yet another sex crime.
Under this law, the minimum sentences are as follows:
| Crime | Minimum Sentence |
|---|---|
| Lewd/lascivious molestation of a victim under 16 years old | 10 years |
| Lewd/lascivious molestation of an elderly or disabled person | 10 years |
| Possession of child pornography | 10 years |
| Soliciting a minor online, traveling to meet a minor, or prohibited computer use | 10 years |
| Transmitting child pornography | 10 years |
| Possesses child pornography with intent to promote | 15 years |
| Use of a child in a sexual performance | 20 years |
| Promoting a sexual performance by a child | 20 years |
| Buying or selling minors | 20 years |
The law also prevents a person sentenced under these rules from gaining discretionary early release (aside from pardons or conditional medical release) before serving the minimum sentence.
The law is set to take effect on Oct. 1.
SB 1804 — Human Trafficking
Senate Bill 1804 creates a new crime under state law: Capital Human Trafficking of Vulnerable Persons for Sexual Exploitation.
The crime applies to adults who knowingly start, manage, plan or fund the human trafficking of children under 12 years old and people who are “mentally defective.”
This new crime is considered a capital felony, meaning convictions can result in a life sentence or death penalty.
The law is set to take effect on Oct. 1.
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