House Bill 1503, known as the "Protect Our Children Act," seeks to enhance protections for minors against harmful content accessed through electronic devices and strengthen the legal framework surrounding sexual offenses in Florida. The bill mandates that manufacturers of tablets and smartphones must automatically enable filters to block harmful content for minors starting January 1, 2026, and establishes civil and criminal liabilities for non-compliance. It also introduces new definitions and prohibitions regarding inappropriate communications between adults and minors, criminalizing the solicitation of explicit images from minors. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws related to the luring of children, increasing penalties for adults who attempt to lure minors under 12, and categorizes "harmful communication with a minor" as a felony offense.

Furthermore, the bill enhances the registration and monitoring requirements for sexual offenders and predators, mandating detailed personal information and specific markings on their identification documents. It prohibits courts from exempting individuals from registration requirements and establishes penalties for misuse of public records related to sexual offenders. The legislation also includes provisions for electronic monitoring of offenders who violate probation or community control. Overall, House Bill 1503 aims to improve public safety by ensuring rigorous oversight of sexual offenders and providing stronger protections for minors against exploitation and harmful communications.

Statutes affected:
H 1503 Filed: 787.025, 943.0435, 944.606, 944.607