The proposed bill amends Florida Statutes to introduce new criminal penalties for individuals who encourage or induce minors to commit various offenses, particularly serious felonies. It establishes that causing or encouraging a child to commit a third-degree felony will result in a first-degree misdemeanor, while inducing a child to commit more severe felonies will incur escalating penalties, including first or second-degree felonies. Additionally, the bill creates a new statute, s. 827.12, which classifies enticing minors to commit animal cruelty as a third-degree felony. The offense severity ranking chart in s. 921.0022 is also amended to increase the ranking for fighting or baiting animals, reflecting a stronger stance against animal cruelty.

Furthermore, the bill addresses child abuse related to the impregnation of minors by introducing new legal language in section 827.04(4), which criminalizes the impregnation of a child under 16 by a person 21 or older, replacing the previous language in section 827.04(3). It mandates electronic reporting of such abuse to law enforcement and outlines the admissibility of paternity evidence in related criminal prosecutions. The bill establishes a program for prosecuting males over 21 who commit offenses against girls under 16 and requires protocols for sharing birth certificate information to aid these prosecutions. These amendments aim to enhance child protection laws and ensure effective reporting and prosecution of offenses against minors, with the act set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

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