TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — As Florida heads into the final quarter of the year, several new laws are set to take effect on Oct. 1.

Lawmakers say the measures are aimed at strengthening protections for victims of trafficking, shielding people from non-consensual sexual images and tightening criminal statutes involving children.

SB 1804: Capital Human Trafficking of Vulnerable Persons

This new law creates a new capital felony for “ human trafficking of vulnerable persons for sexual exploitation .”

Adults who plan, finance, or direct ventures that sexually exploit a child under 12 or a mentally incapacitated person can now face the death penalty or life without parole.

Those convicted under the statute must also be designated as sexual predators.

The law amends multiple areas of Florida Stat

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