MIAMI.- Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, signed five legislative projects that strengthen sentences for sexual crimes against children, implementing new funds and tools to fight predators.
“In Florida, we let children be children and protect them from those who seek to harm them,” the governor said Wednesday, April 10, at the signing ceremony in Petersburg, Florida.
These bills give law enforcement more tools to keep children safe and ensure that sexual predators and offenders are punished to the fullest extent of the law.
HB 1545 creates the crime of harmful communication with a minor. Prohibits an adult from including explicit and detailed verbal descriptions of sexual activity in communications with a minor. Increases penalties for child exploitation crimes, such as the promotion of sexual performances or possession of child pornography and establishes that these behaviors are considered a third-degree felony.
HB 1131 creates an online undercover operations grant program within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), allocating funds to be used for computers, electronics and software to conduct undercover operations.
HB 1235, meanwhile, establishes stricter guidelines for sex offender registration, requiring them to register vehicles and vessels used as homes with the state, report international travel in advance, and making it more difficult to be removed from the registry. of sexual predators.
The governor also signed SB 1224, which aims to strengthen the role of the State Office of Guardian ad Litem, establishes a Fostering Prosperity grant program for youth and young adults exiting the care system to facilitate vocational school opportunities and educational instruction. financial education and provide them with university preparation tools.
Additionally, HB 305 makes changes to existing law related to crimes involving children. This new rule allows a hearsay statement made by a minor to be admitted as evidence, regardless of his or her age. It also requires offenders convicted of child trafficking to be registered as such after committing the first offense.
“By criminalizing repeated graphic and sexual speech toward minors, child predators will now face felony charges before causing physical trauma to their victims,” said State Senator Jonathan Martin.
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