Bill > H0777

This bill strengthens legal protections for children by modifying several statutes related to offenses involving minors. It creates a new statute establishing that ignorance of a victim's age, misrepresentation of age, or a belief about a victim's age are not valid legal defenses in cases where the victim's age is a key element of the crime. The bill also expands the definition of "luring or enticing a child" by lowering the age threshold from 12 to 14 years old and increasing the severity of criminal penalties for such offenses. For example, luring or enticing a child under 14 would now be considered a third-degree felony for a first offense, with enhanced penalties for subsequent offenses or offenders with prior convictions for certain sexual crimes. Additionally, the bill updates the Criminal Punishment Code's offense severity ranking chart to reflect these changes, ensuring that these specific child-related offenses are appropriately categorized in terms of their legal consequences. The new provisions are set to take effect on October 1, 2025, giving law enforcement and legal systems time to prepare for the updated regulations.

Justice

Judiciary Committee (House)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/777