TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Tuesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed another pair of bills into law, adding to the list of other new laws coming out this year.
This time around, he approved two laws that take aim at child sex crimes in the state.
One of these (HB 445) is dubbed “Missy’s Law,” which mandates that anyone found guilty of or entering a plea for a "dangerous crime" must be immediately remanded into custody and held without bond while awaiting sentencing.
Furthermore, the law expands the list of dangerous crimes, ensuring that more people arrested for these sorts of crimes aren’t automatically released at their first appearance.
“Last year, we proposed Missy’s Law after the tragic murder of five-year-old Missy Mogle at the hands of a convicted, abusive pedophile who was allowed to remain out on bond by Judge Tiffany Baker,” Attorney General James Uthmeier said. “Missy’s Law removes judicial discretion and ensures dangerous criminals are locked up after conviction.”
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More details on the two bills are as follows:
HB 445 — Dangerous Crimes
House Bill 445 adds certain offenses dealing with child exploitation and certain kinds of computer porn to the list of dangerous crimes under Florida law.
This means that someone arrested for one of these offenses can’t be given nonmonetary pretrial release at a first appearance hearing.
The law is set to take effect on July 1.
HB 1159 — Sexual Offenses
House Bill 1159 sets up harsher penalties for various sexual offenses. These changes include:
- CSAM: Replacing the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material” in Florida statutes
- Harsher Penalties: Increases penalties for use of a child in a sexual performance; possession and transmission of child porn; creation of generated child porn; possession of a child-like doll; and certain sex acts involving animals
- Mandatory Sentencing: Adults must receive a mandatory minimum sentence for certain offenses related to using children in sexual performances and transmitting child porn
- Repeat Offenders: Raises mandatory minimum sentences for certain repeat sex offenders
- Life Felony: Creates a life felony for aggravated use of a child under 12 years old in a sexual performance
- Generated Child Porn: Creates a second-degree felony for transmitting generated child pornography
- No Pets: Prohibits anyone convicted of certain sex offenses involving animals from owning or working with animals for at least five years
The law is set to take effect on July 1.
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