summary
Introduced
02/27/2025
02/27/2025
In Committee
04/28/2025
04/28/2025
Crossed Over
04/25/2025
04/25/2025
Passed
Dead
06/16/2025
06/16/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to civil remedy for parental abduction; creating s. 772.111, F.S.; providing a short title; providing definitions; providing a civil cause of action if a child is unlawfully abducted from a parent for a specified amount of time; providing a standard of proof and specified damages; authorizing reasonable attorney fees and costs for either party under certain circumstances; providing when a specified timeframe begins; providing affirmative defenses; requiring a specified court division to preside over such cause of action; providing a statute of limitations; tolling such statute of limitations under certain circumstances; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a new civil remedy for parental abduction in Florida, creating a legal mechanism for a parent to sue another parent who unlawfully detains or conceals a child for more than 30 consecutive days beyond their court-ordered time-sharing period. Under this law, a parent can seek civil damages, including treble (triple) the actual damages and a minimum of $1,000, plus reasonable attorney fees. The bill defines "unlawful abduction" as taking, detaining, concealing, or imprisoning a child without the other parent's consent, with the intent to deprive that parent of time-sharing. The law provides an important affirmative defense for parents who can prove they had reasonable cause to believe the child was in imminent danger of domestic violence, sexual violence, abuse, abandonment, or neglect. The bill requires such cases to be heard in the family law division that originally handled the underlying family law case, and establishes a two-year statute of limitations that is paused during the period of unlawful abduction. The law aims to protect parental rights and provide a legal recourse for parents whose court-ordered time-sharing has been intentionally and extensively violated.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (13)
Wallace Aristide (D)*,
Michele Rayner (D)*,
Anna Eskamani (D),
Ashley Gantt (D),
Mike Gottlieb (D),
Christine Hunschofsky (D),
Dotie Joseph (D),
Johanna López (D),
Jim Mooney (R),
Angie Nixon (D),
Susan Plasencia (R),
Alex Rizo (R),
Michelle Salzman (R),
Other Sponsors (2)
Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee (H), Judiciary Committee (H)
Last Action
Died in Rules (on 06/16/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1385 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1385/BillText/c2/PDF |
| Analysis - Judiciary Committee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1385/Analyses/h1385b.JDC.PDF |
| https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1385/Amendment/125409/PDF | |
| Analysis - Judiciary Committee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1385/Analyses/h1385a.JDC.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1385/BillText/c1/PDF |
| Analysis - Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1385/Analyses/h1385.CIV.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1385/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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