The proposed bill amends Florida Statutes to introduce new criminal penalties for adults who contribute to or induce minors to commit serious offenses, specifically adding a new subsection to section 827.04. This subsection outlines penalties for individuals who cause or encourage a child to commit felonies, ranging from third-degree to capital felonies, with corresponding penalties for each level of offense. Additionally, the bill creates section 827.12, establishing penalties for adults who entice minors to commit violations related to animal cruelty, classifying these actions as a third-degree felony. The bill also amends the offense severity ranking chart in section 921.0022 to increase the severity ranking for fighting or baiting animals and includes the new offenses created by the bill.

Moreover, the bill significantly revises laws regarding child abuse, particularly concerning the impregnation of minors. It replaces the previous statute on the impregnation of a child under 16 by a person 21 years or older, now designated as section 827.04(4), while deleting the former section 827.04(3). The bill mandates immediate electronic reporting of such child abuse cases to law enforcement and provides exemptions for healthcare professionals from reporting if it would interfere with medical services. It also enhances the admissibility of paternity determinations in criminal prosecutions related to sexual offenses against minors and directs the Department of Children and Families to create programs aimed at prosecuting offenders. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1732 c1: 39.201, 90.4025, 382.356, 409.2355, 742.107