Bill > S0276

This bill amends two existing Florida statutes related to sheltering or aiding unmarried minors, significantly increasing the legal consequences for such actions. The bill creates a legal presumption that a person knows a minor's age if the minor is under 18, which makes it easier to prosecute individuals who shelter or aid minors without parental consent or law enforcement notification. Currently, such actions are a first-degree misdemeanor, but the bill upgrades the offense to a third-degree felony, which carries more serious potential penalties. The bill also introduces a legal defense for individuals who can demonstrate they acted to protect the minor from harm, recognizing that some situations might require intervention. Specifically, the law requires that anyone sheltering an unmarried minor for more than 24 hours must either obtain parental consent or notify law enforcement, and anyone providing aid to a runaway minor must first contact the parent or guardian or alert law enforcement. The changes apply to two separate sections of Florida law (984.085 and 985.731) and are set to take effect on October 1, 2025, giving time for legal professionals and the public to prepare for the new requirements.

Health and Social Services

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/276