JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed a raft of bills into law that would crack down on sexual offenders, human sex trafficking and unauthorized deepfake sex images.
The Florida Legislature passed the bills earlier this year.
HB 777 prohibits a person from luring a victim out of a building or car for unlawful reasons. It also makes clear that ignorance of a victim’s age, or misrepresentation of a victim’s age, cannot be used as a defense if someone is charged with a crime where the victim’s age matters. The law goes into effect Oct. 1.
HB 1351 tightens and strengthens requirements for sexual predators and offenders in Florida regarding registering and reporting with the state, including requiring a predator or offender to report in-state travel plans either in person or online. The law goes into effect Oct. 1.
HB 1455 sets mandatory minimum prison terms for certain sex offenses committed by registered sexual offenders or predators, ranging from 10 years for possession of child pornography to 20 years for promoting a sexual performance by a child. The law goes into effect Oct. 1.
SB 1804 makes human sex trafficking of vulnerable people, including children or people with mental disabilities, a capital felony. That makes them eligible for the death penalty. The law goes into effect Oct. 1.
Finally, HB 1161 requires websites, online services, or applications to remove an altered sexual image or video that was posted without the consent of the person in the image if that person requests it.
HB 1161 is also known as Brooke’s Law. It’s named for Brooke Curry, daughter of former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, who had to fight to get an AI-generated nude of her removed from online platforms.
"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 share 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," Curry said.
Brooke’s Law went into effect when DeSantis signed it.
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