This bill amends Florida Statutes to address sexual cyberharassment by providing clearer definitions and establishing criminal penalties for offenders. It revises legislative findings to affirm that individuals depicted in sexually explicit images, whether consensually shared or digitally forged, retain a reasonable expectation of privacy. The bill introduces the term "digitally forged intimate image" and specifies that sexually cyberharassment occurs when such images are disseminated without consent, with the intent to cause emotional distress. Enhanced penalties are established for repeat offenders, and the bill allows victims to pursue civil actions for damages, including punitive damages.
Additionally, the bill sets time limitations for prosecuting sexual cyberharassment offenses, stipulating that misdemeanor violations must be prosecuted within five years, while felony violations must be prosecuted within seven years from the offense date or within three years from when the victim becomes aware of the offense. The effective date for these changes is set for October 1, 2025.