Missy’s Law and HB 1159 have been signed into state law

Hailey Heseltine Riverbend News On March 31, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Missy's Law (HB 445) and HB 1159 into Florida Law, making them set to go into effect on Wednesday, July 1. According to flgov.com, these bills are “aimed at strengthening protections for children, enhancing penalties for sexual offenses, and ensuring dangerous offenders are held accountable under Florida law.” Missy's Law (HB 445) is named after Melissa “Missy” Mogle, a 5-year-old Tallahassee girl who was murdered in May 2025. Indicted for the crime were her abusive stepfather, Daniel Spencer, and mother, Chloe Spencer. At the time, Daniel Spencer was a convicted pedophile who was out of jail on bond, accordin