Gov. Ron DeSantis signed four measures targeting sexual predators into law on Tuesday, strengthening penalties for child groomers, targeting deepfake porn, and lengthening the prison sentences for certain sexual offenders.
The massive bill signing happened at a Tuesday press conference in Jacksonville, where DeSantis paraded Florida's no-nonsense stance against the sexual abuse of minors. DeSantis noted the suite of legislation comes two years after Florida led the nation by expanding the death penalty to child rapists.
"When you have a kid that is abused by these sexual predators, the abuse doesn't stop the minute it ends. It's a lifelong scar," DeSantis began. "These offenders, sexual offenders, they are going to reoffend...The only thing that really, really guarantees the safety of our children is to find every last doggone predator and put them in jail and get them off the street."
One of the new pieces signed was SB 700, or "Brooke's Law." Named after Brooke Curry, the daughter of former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, the 18-year-old high school senior was victimized by a fellow student, who created an AI-generated nude of her and posted it to his Snapchat story.
The new law, which takes effect immediately, requires internet platforms to establish a process for the removal of nonconsensual, sexual AI images.
DeSantis also signed HB 777, which expands the definition of "luring" a minor. It also prevents ignorance of a minor's age—or the misrepresentation of a minor's age—from being used as a defense. It takes effect on Oct. 1.
HB 1351 strengthens registration and reporting requirements for sexual offenders, requiring them to report when they move locations. It takes effect on Oct. 1.
HB 1455 provides mandatory minimums for sexual offenders, specifically for those who have already offended. It takes effect on Oct. 1.
