The Protect Our Children Act aims to enhance protections for minors against harmful online content and strengthen penalties for child exploitation offenses. Starting January 1, 2026, manufacturers of tablets and smartphones will be required to produce devices that automatically enable filters to block access to harmful material for minors. Noncompliance will result in civil and criminal liabilities for manufacturers, and individuals who disable these filters may also face legal consequences. The Attorney General will have the authority to enforce these provisions, including issuing subpoenas and seeking civil penalties against violators. The bill also reclassifies offenses related to luring or enticing children under 12 from misdemeanors to felonies, with increased penalties for repeat offenders, and introduces new definitions to prohibit inappropriate communications with minors. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws regarding the registration and management of sexual offenders and predators. It includes new legal language to incorporate the statute number s. 827.12; into the list of offenses qualifying individuals as sexual offenders. The bill mandates that courts document the ages of both the offender and the victim in relevant cases and outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Law Enforcement in notifying agencies about changes in sexual offenders' statuses. It also establishes stricter regulations for individuals with sexual offenses, including prohibitions on visiting certain locations and engaging in activities that could endanger minors. Overall, the legislation seeks to create a safer environment for children while ensuring that individuals with a history of sexual offenses are properly monitored and held accountable.

Statutes affected:
S 1718 Filed: 787.025, 943.0435, 944.606, 944.607