Florida Governor DeSantis Signs Crime Bills
Governor Ron DeSantis signed crime bills, including Missy’s Law, to keep Floridians safe by enhancing criminal penalties.
The Florida Governor signed House Bill 445, known as Missy’s Law, and House Bill 1159, two pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening protections for children, enhancing penalties for sexual offenses, and ensuring dangerous offenders are held accountable under Florida law.
“Justice demands that those who victimize innocent people face swift and meaningful consequences,” said Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. “I signed two important bills to strengthen law and order in Florida by holding dangerous criminals and sex offenders accountable for their crimes. In Florida, we will always fight to protect our children and deliver justice for victims of crimes.”
House Bill 445 strengthens Florida’s pretrial detention system for specified dangerous crimes. Under the law, individuals found guilty of or entering a plea for a dangerous crime will be immediately remanded into custody and held without bond while awaiting sentencing.
The legislation also expands the statutory list of dangerous crimes to include certain computer pornography and child exploitation offenses, ensuring individuals arrested for these crimes are not automatically released at their first appearance.
“Last year, we proposed Missy’s Law after the tragic murder of five-year-old Missy Mogle at the hands of a convicted, abusive pedophile who was allowed to remain out on bond by Judge Tiffany Baker,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Missy’s Law removes judicial discretion and ensures dangerous criminals are locked up after conviction. I am grateful to Governor DeSantis for signing this bill, and Senator Martin and Representative Greco for carrying this legislation, and Missy’s memory, during the 2026 Legislative Session.”
House Bill 1159 enhances penalties and expands criminal offenses related to child sexual abuse material. The legislation increases penalties for using a child in a sexual performance, possessing and distributing abusive material, and creating generated sexual abuse material. It establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain offenses committed by adults and creates a life felony for the aggravated exploitation of a child under the age of 12.
The bill also addresses emerging threats by criminalizing new forms of exploitation involving generated content.
The signing of HB 445 and HB 1159 builds on actions taken by Governor Ron DeSantis to protect children and strengthen public safety during his administration. The Republican Governor noted that these efforts include increasing penalties for child exploitation crimes, strengthening sexual offender registration and monitoring requirements, expanding tools available to prosecute offenders, and supporting law enforcement efforts such as online sting operations targeting sexual predators.
