House Bill 559 seeks to amend various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance penalties for crimes involving minors, particularly focusing on offenses related to animal cruelty and sexual activities involving animals. The bill introduces new legal language that establishes penalties for individuals who cause or entice minors to commit these offenses, with the severity of the penalty increasing based on the seriousness of the crime committed by the minor. For instance, inducing a minor to commit a capital felony would result in a first-degree felony charge for the inducer, while a third-degree felony committed by a minor would lead to a first-degree misdemeanor for the inducer. Additionally, the bill creates specific offenses for individuals aged 18 or older who entice minors to engage in animal cruelty or sexual activities involving animals, categorizing these actions as third-degree felonies.

Furthermore, the bill modifies existing statutes by deleting a provision related to the impregnation of a child under 16 years of age by a person 21 years or older, while introducing a new provision that addresses the same issue for minors under 18. It also updates the admissibility of paternity determinations in criminal prosecutions and establishes protocols for sharing birth certificate information to facilitate the prosecution of offenses against minors. The legislation aims to strengthen protections for vulnerable populations, ensuring that offenders face appropriate consequences for their actions, and is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 559 Filed: 39.201, 90.4025, 382.356, 409.2355, 742.107