The proposed bill aims to strengthen laws against animal cruelty, particularly in situations involving children. It introduces a new section, 827.12, to the Florida Statutes, which makes it a third-degree felony for an adult to commit acts of animal cruelty in the presence of a child or to entice a child to engage in such acts. The bill also amends section 921.0022 to increase the offense severity ranking for fighting or baiting animals and includes the offense of subjecting a child to animal cruelty in the Criminal Punishment Code's offense severity ranking chart.

Additionally, the bill removes the previous ranking for fighting or baiting animals and establishes a new ranking for the offense of subjecting a child to animal cruelty. The changes are intended to enhance penalties for these offenses, reflecting a commitment to protecting both animals and children from cruelty. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.