Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has approved a new law that permits the death penalty to be used against child sex offenders on Monday.
The law, which takes effect on 1 October, means that Florida can pursue capital punishment for adults convicted of sexually assaulting children under the age of 12.
Although the Republicans hold a supermajority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, the legislation was co-sponsored by a Democrat and won bipartisan support.
The new law comes despite a 2008 US Supreme Court ruling that deemed capital punishment unconstitutional except for convictions of murder.
DeSantis asserted that tough criminal measures, like the new legislation, are an important part of establishing a clear agenda for the country and that this is just one small part of his larger policy.
“We’re really delivering a big agenda,” DeSantis stated during the signing ceremony of the new bill. “So this is one important — but admittedly very small part — of an overall large agenda and very bold agenda that’s really setting the terms of the debate for the country, quite frankly.”
Last month, DeSantis declared that capital punishment is the “only appropriate” sentence for child rapists.
“My view is, you have some of these people that will be serial rapists of six, seven-year-old kids,” DeSantis told ‘Good Morning Orlando’. “I think the death penalty is the only appropriate punishment when you have situations like that.”
His actions are part of a drive to take a stern line on crime during his second term as governor.
He also passed legislation to toughen criminal penalties for selling Fentanyl, a deadly opiate drug sometimes known as “rainbow fentanyl,” that is often marketed as sweets.
This decision removes the unanimous jury verdict requirement for the death penalty, allowing the death penalty with jury recommendations of at least 8 to 4.
Furthermore, after Florida’s legislative session concludes on Friday, DeSantis is anticipated to announce his bid for the presidency in 2024.
The governor has $110m in his campaign war chest and it is twice bigger than GOP’s leading 2024 presidential contender, former President Donald Trump.
It was also reported that Florida passed an election reform last week, aimed at allowing DeSantis to run for president without quitting his current post.
