The Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, signed several bills into law that aim to combat sexual predators who target children through the internet. The legislation is designed to crack down on adults who engage in patterns of communication with minors, increase penalties for child exploitation, strengthen punishments for predators, and tighten restrictions for those in the sexual predator registry. DeSantis emphasized the importance of protecting the innocence and well-being of children and stated that Florida stands firmly for this cause. The bills signed by the Governor include provisions for online sting operations to protect children, stricter guidelines for sexual offender registration, training for law enforcement in domestic violence situations, expanding evidence in child sex abuse cases, and increasing offenses related to child exploitation.
DeSantis spoke at the signing ceremony alongside Florida Department of High Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner and several state lawmakers. The Governor commended the legislators for their efforts but emphasized that there is always more work to do in protecting children. He described the rise of the internet and social media as a playground for predators and expressed his desire for children to be able to just be kids. DeSantis referred to the internet as a “major cesspool” for those seeking to harm children, underscoring the need for strong measures to combat predators and offenders.
Among the bills signed into law, HB 1131 creates online sting operations to protect children and establishes a grant program for law enforcement to carry out these operations. HB 1235 sets stricter guidelines for sexual offender registration and closes loopholes that allow offenders to be registered in different areas. SB 1224 strengthens and implements training for law enforcement in domestic violence situations and requires the appointment of a guardian ad litem for children involved. HB 305 expands evidence that can be brought in child sex abuse cases by allowing out-of-court statements made by child victims to be admissible in certain circumstances. HB 1545 increases child exploitation offenses and creates the offense of harmful communication to a minor.
DeSantis was joined by other state senators, state representatives, and Joseph Petito, Vice President of the Gabby Petito Foundation, which played a role in helping to get the bills passed. Executive Director Kerner described the legislation as commonsense additions to the criminal code, highlighting the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. State Senator Jake Collins, an Army Green Beret, praised DeSantis for his commitment to protecting children and commended Florida for leading the way in implementing stronger measures against predators and offenders. DeSantis emphasized the need to continue the fight against those who seek to harm children and reiterated the importance of safeguarding their innocence and well-being.
