The proposed bill introduces significant changes to the legal framework surrounding offenses involving minors, specifically by creating a new section, 787.001, which clarifies that ignorance or misrepresentation of a victim's age cannot be used as a defense in cases where the victim's age is a critical element, with an exception for section 787.30. Additionally, it amends section 787.025 to raise the age threshold for luring or enticing a child from under 12 to under 14 years, thereby increasing penalties for such offenses and altering the criteria for affirmative defenses. The bill also updates the offense severity ranking chart in section 921.0022, designating luring or enticing a child under the new age threshold as a third-degree felony, while establishing a second-degree felony classification for repeat offenders and those with specific prior convictions.

In addition to the provisions related to offenses against minors, the bill proposes amendments concerning drug trafficking and sexual offender reporting requirements. It sets forth specific penalties for trafficking various controlled substances, including cocaine and synthetic cannabinoids, with defined weight thresholds, and outlines penalties for drug-related activities occurring near schools and parks. The bill also addresses compliance failures in sexual offender registration, imposing penalties for non-compliance and false reporting. Furthermore, it includes penalties for money laundering and structuring financial transactions to evade reporting requirements. These changes are intended to enhance legal accountability and are set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1136 Filed: 787.025, 921.0022
S 1136 c1: 921.0022