Florida governor signs ban on childlike sex dolls
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Florida's Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law on Thursday a bill to outlaw childlike sex dolls in his state.
The bill "prohibits a person from knowingly having in his or her possession, custody, or control an obscene, childlike sex doll." Lawmakers unanimously approved the measure. Violation of the law is a first-degree misdemeanor. Violations thereafter will result in a second-degree felony.
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"These are anatomically correct, lifelike silicone dolls that are eerily similar to real human children made for the sole purpose of sexual gratification,” Democratic state Sen. Lauren Book said in a statement. “Just as viewing child pornography lowers the inhibitions of child predators, so do these childlike sex dolls that have no place in the state of Florida.”
A legislative analysis concluded that childlike sex dolls imported from China, Japan and Hong Kong are becoming increasingly popular in the U.S., which is part of the $15 billion sex toy industry, according to The Associated Press.
Supporters of the bill argued the dolls should be treated as a form of child pornography, while others said the dolls could prevent pedophiles from preying on children, Orlando Weekly reported.
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The law goes into effect Oct. 1.