Florida Enacts Stricter Laws Including Death Penalty for Child Sex Trafficking

Florida has enacted several new laws aimed at strengthening protections against child predators and addressing technology-driven crimes. Key measures include elevating trafficking of children under 12 to a capital offense punishable by life imprisonment or death, as well as increasing penalties for luring children and closing legal loopholes such as ignorance of a child's age. The state also criminalized the creation and distribution of AI-generated deepfake pornography without consent, providing victims the right to sue for damages and enhancing penalties for possessing or sharing sexual images of children under 16. Additionally, new reporting requirements for sex offenders and predators now mandate timely notifications of changes in vehicles, employment, and travel residences, with violations resulting in felony charges. Law enforcement agencies are tasked with more frequent address verifications to better monitor these offenders. These laws reflect Florida's response to rising concerns over child exploitation and evolving cybercrimes involving AI technology.