Bill > H1171

This bill amends Florida's statute of limitations for offenses related to required reports about children by modifying Section 775.15 of the Florida Statutes. Specifically, the bill changes when the legal time limit for prosecuting violations of mandatory reporting requirements (under Section 39.201) begins. Traditionally, statutes of limitations start counting from the time an offense occurs, but this bill stipulates that for child-related reporting violations, the limitations period will not begin until a law enforcement agency or other governmental agency (excluding the institution where the violation happened) becomes aware of the violation. This means that if a mandatory reporting violation about a child goes unreported or undetected, prosecutors will have more time to pursue legal action once the violation is discovered. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, giving state agencies time to prepare for the new legal standard. The primary intent appears to be ensuring that failures to report child-related issues are not shielded from legal consequences by narrow time constraints.

Health and Social Services, Justice

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1171