Child Predators Crackdown Bill Signed by DeSantis; Harsher Penalties for Sex Predators who Target Juveniles
Tallahassee, FL: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has waged a war against child predators who exploit juveniles for sexual activities.
He signed five bills on various issues and many of them focus on child predators. Among the five acts signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday was one that he claims will help reduce the “grooming” of youngsters on the internet.
As stated in HB 1545, “in a pattern of verbal or written communication to a minor that includes explicit and detailed verbal descriptions or narrative accounts of sexual activity, sexual conduct, or sexual excitement and that is harmful to minors.” This behavior by adults would be punishable by harsher criminal penalties.
In another law, HB 1131, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will establish the “Online Sting Operations Grant Program” to assist in funding local sting operations that target those engaging in online child predatory behavior.
Says DeSantis, “We’re going to crack down on the grooming of these minors” during a St. Petersburg appearance.
“And the fact of the matter is with the rise of the internet and social media and all these different apps that has been a playground for these predators to go in and to groom these young kids,” he also added.
Legislation pending in committee includes SB1224, which would educate law enforcement on how to determine whether victims of domestic violence are more likely to suffer life-threatening injuries as per CBS News.
