DeSantis signed bills creating new laws we need to be aware of.
Yesterday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a legislative package “aimed at cracking down on sexual predators, enhancing protections for children and vulnerable individuals, and addressing the growing threat of digital sexual exploitation.”
One of the central pieces of the package is House Bill 777, which expands the scope of existing laws to make it a felony to lure or entice any child under the age of 14 from a home, vehicle, or other structure. It also removes common defenses, such as claims of not knowing the child’s true age. What was once treated as a misdemeanor offense will now result in a felony charge, with harsher penalties for repeat offenders.
Another major reform was House Bill 1351. Registrants must now report detailed employment information, such as their job role and place of business, and notify law enforcement of any travel or residence change within 48 hours. The law also mandates more frequent in-person verification of addresses—annually for offenders and every 90 days for predators. Note that most of these are already in place.
House Bill 1455 directly targets repeat sexual offenders by imposing mandatory minimum prison sentences. Under this law, individuals with prior convictions who commit new sexual offenses are no longer eligible for early release—unless through limited exceptions like medical release or a pardon. Judges must impose sentences that meet or exceed the minimum term, even if it surpasses the statutory maximum (TBD how that plays out for anyone receiving that sentence).
And finally another law named after someone. “Brooke’s Law” (House Bill 1161), which confronts the misuse of artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit deepfake images.
One bill, Senate Bill 1804, did not get signed but will in the coming day, introduces a new capital felony for human trafficking offenses involving children under 12 or individuals who are mentally incapacitated. Convictions under this statute can result in life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Overall, while it’s a really harsh year for people who commit sexual offenses, we’re not committing sex offenses, so there shouldn’t be much to worry about here.
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I watched the governor’s press conference yesterday and it’s my understanding that detailed employment information is now required so that someone can search your name and find where you are employed. Why is no one concerned with this? If this the case, then expect to be let go or if you own a business, consider it closed after the mob finds out. Can anyone verify the details on this topic?
***Transcript
“So you have to report even if you’re self employed. So you do not want somebody who’s self employed coming to your house to do a handyman special and everything you don’t know who they are because they didn’t report their business online. So that’s going to make it mandatory reporting. So that way, you can screen who’s coming to your house to actually work on your house, whether it be plumbing, whether it be roofing or whatever you need to do there.”
james
As a single mother of 2 children, I certainly support this Law. I wouldn’t trust my house to any handyman, without checking his credentials. Person can be sweet talking me, but I need to see who this person really is. Kudos Governor
Anna, the chances of you hitting the lottery is better than a tradesman violating your kids. There’s insurmountable data proving that perpetrators are mostly coaches, teachers pastors, anyone with a one on one relationship with children. Society has been brainwashed into this “stranger danger” myth.
no end
I wouldn’t take a chance… that’s why we now have this Law
Ok, keep being the good little sheep you are lol. Oh how your attitude would change if someone you love is put on the hit list.
james
do not associate with Mob and you will be OK
James
It is a catch twenty-two. Once someone complains a registrant is working at the place, many times you are let go. (Happened to me twice even though I was honest, once a customer called out the manager, I was gone)
Maybe a job in a warehouse where the public is not allowed is a safer bet, I did that for years and only got harassed by other employees that found. Didn’t get fired but eventually left after everyone but me got raises.
Any travel?
I don’t understand that. If I’m making a day to to Jacksonville, does that need to be notified? What if I stay overnight?
I’m VERY passive- aggressive. So if they indeed mean any travel, they better make a portal available for PFR as a predator (if only people knew how easy it is to get that designation. You needn’t even touch someone) because I’m gonna report every time I leave the county, even for 5 minutes.
And why the hell do they need to know my specific job position? How is that helping protect the public? This is just more b.s.
Annually for offenders? They come to my house about every 10 weeks. I assume that this is something that individual counties do on their own.
Yeah I see them at least every other month. 1 Time per year would be very nice but the law says “at least” Which means that they are allowed to set their own harassment policy.
James
Not a Harassment, it’s called Law
@EP
I challenge you to show any of us that there is a law that law enforcement is required to come to your house 6 times a year.
The law states 2 times a year or 4 times a year depending on your charges.
Technically law enforcement could come to your house daily but that for one would harassment, and second, what a waste of resources.
If someone is in compliance and why waste officers time on checking on someone so many times that is not causing problems while there are literally 1000s of crimes happening across the U.S every minute, of every hour that are not solved due to lack of manpower and resources.
Peter
When I was on probation, the probation officer came to my house once a week. City police at least twice a week, Sheriff’s office whenever they damn pleased, and sometimes FDLE agents. When I got off probation, I thought all that would stop.
The probation officer was gone because my sentence was over but that did not stop law enforcement from coming over for a nice harassment party randomly several times a week. I rarely back down during a challenge but I knew if I didn’t move, I would never get rest. I moved to another county and have been “Mostly” left alone. (Neighbors bother me more than law enforcement)
So, if I travel let’s say from Orlando to Daytona for a weekend, I now need to report that to sheriff?
Josh
That is something your registry office would be able to verify for you.
It’s not so much whether you’re committing these types of crimes, it’s the mission creep now isn’t it? It’s the gradual expansion of government overreach without accountability, data-driven decisions, and just plain ol’ common sense.
Was going to say nothing scary for any of us who are complying with the rules, laws, regulations and requirements. As long as they are not making things harder for us who are complying, I see nothing that will directly affect most of us.
Thanks for sharing the updates.
Welcome back Jack! I hope these all can start earlier than October. Very good new laws! 🥳
Habib
These are long overdue Laws
We will be able to see what our “Handyman’ are hiding in the closet.
Ty
These laws were made to please the “Karen’s”.
@Anonymous
I was fortunate to get a house 17 years ago. I have lived on my street longer than everyone except for 3 other families. There is a Karen at the end of my street who harasses me daily, gives me dirty looks and stirs up other neighbors to harass me as well.
I told her point blank that God gave me this house and only HE will tell me when it is time to move. Also I told her a two part suggestion. First, why did you not check before you moved in, and second, I have been here on this street for 17 years with no issues so why are you causing issues. Actually a third one, why do you scrunch up your face when you drive by and let me ruin your day when I have done nothing wrong to you or Nobody for at least the last nearly 40 years.
Even if I get off the registry eventually, I still won’t move as this is a location I like, just not most of the people. And not everyone on my street is hateful.
@CherokeeJack
Sorry you have to put up with that, but you handled it well. The only people I’ve ever known that take such interest in the registry are the same people that get off on other people’s misery/tragedy. Their actions are about them and what they think of me is none of my business.
Anon
This conversation is between A and B..not C..your assumption is Wrong
@Anonymous
Just odd that there is a public registry for all to see, yet they get mad when they move somewhere without checking the registry. Why move onto the street then? And if their belief is they can somehow force me to move, I am up to that challenge with “Aces”. Many have tried, ALL have failed, two have been arrested.
Twice they tried to lie on me and both times I passed a polygraph with Spades and the accusers refused to take one when they lied to try and get me to move. When it is time for me to move, my Father who sustains me with His glory and strength will guide me to that path.
@A
So are you saying the handyman should “Come out of the closet”?
Most of us are not hiding anything because our charges, photos, prison records are all public record. Go for it.
It is more dangerous for someone to NOT have a job than to have one. When you keep getting ex-offenders fired, some of them give up and start breaking in homes or worse out of desperation.
Having support from loved ones, friends and family also helps.
What you are suggesting just causes people to give up and who knows what that will lead to.
If it wasn’t for my parents support once I got out of lock up, I might not even be alive today.
I have been a home owner for 23 years and have owned three homes so far. I believed that if you could survive prison, you could do anything and I have completed a list of 50 goals and I have finished 49 of them, with the one remaining is being removed from the registry. I have been on it since 1997 and not had a single arrest since 1991, not even a speeding ticket.
Not all of us are evil, I made a single mistake.
Some on here went to prison just for looking at porn on the computer and had no physical victim. Some people who bash us soon understand what we are going through when one of their loved ones end up on the registry. Our families don’t stop loving us because we made a mistake decades ago. Some states have gone back on people whose charges pre-dated the registry and I was one of them that was retro-actively years after I had already been sentenced so had no say.
Cher
I thought you owe house for 17years and are poor..How can you own 4 houses? Something doesn’t ad up..sorry dude
@K
Never mentioned 4 houses, I said three.
Bought first one and after 4 years sold it for 2.5 times what I paid. Then bought and moved into a 2nd bigger home with a huge property. Sold that two years later for $100,000 more than I paid. Then bought a newer home cash and have lived mortgage free for past 17 years. Doesn’t mean I am rich, just do not have to worry about payments because house is clear and free, but the end of the year property tax is always hard for me so have to put it on my credit card.
I get $23 a month in food stamps, so yea, not rich by any means.
Cherokee
Maybe get some part time work to supplement your income? You’re still young
Cher
What 49 goals you have completed, share?
Rage bait 😴😴
@Habibi
ahhhh you really did miss me, if for only a moment LOL
Good Morning Cherokee, I hope you have a good day. Too much salt is no good, you’re right. I like these new laws for the predators who do shady things, so if they aren’t doing anything, then nothing to worry about like you said. Shalom