The proposed bill, titled "Dexter's Law," aims to enhance the legal framework surrounding aggravated animal cruelty in Florida. It introduces a requirement for the Department of Law Enforcement to maintain and publicly post on its website the names of individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses, effective January 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill amends the Criminal Punishment Code to include a sentencing multiplier for aggravated animal cruelty offenses, which will increase the total sentence points by 1.25 for offenders found guilty of knowingly and intentionally torturing or tormenting an animal.

The bill also includes specific legal language changes, such as the addition of a new subsection to section 828.12 of the Florida Statutes, which outlines the new public posting requirement. Furthermore, it modifies section 921.0024 to incorporate the aggravated animal cruelty multiplier into the sentencing calculations. The overall intent of the legislation is to strengthen penalties for animal cruelty and improve public awareness of offenders, thereby promoting animal welfare in the state. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 494 c1: 921.0024