Starting Saturday, people who commit crimes against people with disabilities will face stiffer penalties in Florida.
The new law was named after 36-year-old Carl Starke, a St. Augustine man with autism who was murdered last year.
Deputies say the suspects, Kevin Williams and Christopher O'Neal, followed Starke home from the store and shot him while stealing his car.
They created Carl’s Law, a law that increases the penalties for crimes whose victims have disabilities.
Since his murder, his family has fought to do something in his memory.
“Sen. Hutson’s a friend of mine. I’ve known him for ten years so I approached him with the idea to do something for Carl,” said Carl's brother-in-law Travis Durden.
Carl's family even drove to Tallahassee to make sure Carl’s Law was passed.
“We received a standing ovation for the passing of the law. It was one of the most touching moments of our lives,” said Carl’s mom, Anita Kennedy.
His sister said while it was tough dealing with the loss of her brother, fighting for this change in law helped her family through tough times.
“It was definitely part of our healing and emotionally it was exciting because we were thinking 'This is something that will honor him,'” said Carli Durden.