FAC Weekly Update 2025-09-30 -New Laws Effective Oct 1

Weekly update for September 30, 2025. This is recording number 330.

Dear Members and Advocates,

Starting October 1, 2025, several new laws will go into effect in Florida. Some directly impact people on the registry, on probation, or with past convictions. At FAC, we always try to keep you informed of what’s changing, so we’ve compiled the summary below to give you a plain English overview of what you need to know. Remember, however, that FAC is not a law firm and the summary below is not intended to be legal advice or a binding interpretation of the new statutes. For that, we have included a link to each bill and recommend you take a few moments to read the actual language in the statute.

Many of you have already received a letter in the mail from FDLE with their summary of the changes. If not, expect to receive one shortly. We strongly suggest that if you have a specific question about any of the new laws (or even the existing laws), you contact the FDLE with your questions and share their response with us at [email protected] so that we can post the answer to our site and share (the non-personal information) with other members. The FDLE can be reached at 1-888-357-7332 (M-F 8:00am – 5:00pm, Eastern) or via email: [email protected]

HB 437 – GPS Monitoring – If you’re on probation and wearing a GPS monitor, cutting it off or even asking someone else to mess with it now has different levels of punishment depending on your case. If your original crime was a misdemeanor or 3rd degree felony, it’s a 3rd degree felony. If your original crime was a 2nd degree felony, it’s a 2nd degree felony. If your original crime was a 1st degree felony, life felony, or capital felony, it’s a 1st degree felony! Read the bill here: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/437

HB 757 – Sexual Images & Deepfakes – Florida is criminalizing “deepfake porn” (illegal AI generated images that don’t involve an actual human being) and made punishments tougher for sexual images involving minors under 16. Possession of an image with intent to share is now a 2nd degree felony. Viewing or possessing one is a 3rd degree felony. Making or sharing a deepfake sexual image of someone (not even a minor) without their consent is a 3rd degree felony. Not only are there tough criminal penalties, but victims can sue you civilly for at least $10,000 in damages plus attorney’s fees. Read the bill here: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/757

HB 777 – Offenses Involving Children – Part of this bill is confusing, because mistake of age has never been a defense, but the new law clarifies that not knowing someone’s age, being lied to, or thinking they were 18 or older is no longer a defense in court. Also, “luring or enticing” now covers kids under 14 (instead of the previous 12), and it’s a higher-level felony than before. This also includes asking a child to come out of a house or car, not just go inside. Read the bill here: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/777

HB 1351 – Registration Rules – Employment reporting is getting stricter. You now have to report your job, business name, work address, and phone number. If you are self-employed, you can’t just write “Self Employed” you now have to give your company name or if you are a sole proprietor working under your own name, something like “John Smith, Handyman”. Any place you stay in Florida within 48 hours (either online with FDLE or in person at the sheriff’s office). Also, the sheriff has to check your address once a year (if you’re an offender) or four times a year (if you’re labeled a predator). Most of us already get checks more frequently, but these are the minimum number of checks required under the statute. The law also clarifies what counts as a “permanent residence.” Read the bill here: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1351

HB 1451 – Sexual Cyberharassment – “Revenge porn” laws are now tougher. If you do it to extort money it’s a 3rd degree felony. If you are a repeat offender, it’s a 2nd degree felony. And victims can sue you for money damages. The definition of sexual images was expanded, intent doesn’t matter anymore (accidentally share the wrong picture of your ex and it’s felony time), and the time limit to prosecute these cases is longer. Read the bill here: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1451

HB 1455 – Repeat Sexual Offenses – This is one that obviously none of us have to worry about, since nobody at FAC will be committing a subsequent sexual offense, but just so you know… If you’ve been convicted of a sexual offense before and reoffend, judges now must give minimum sentences. No more discretion. Here are the mandatory minimums; 10 years for lewd molestation under 16, molesting elderly/disabled, CP possession, or online solicitation. 15 years for CP possession with intent to promote. 20 years for using or promoting a child in a sexual performance (production of CP). Read the bill here: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1455

SB 1804 – Human Trafficking of Vulnerable People – This law creates a new “capital” crime (life in prison or the death penalty) for adults who organize or manage trafficking of kids under 12 or mentally disabled people for sex. Recorded confessions can also be used in these cases. Read the bill here: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1804

The reality, is these new laws don’t change much for those of us who are years post-offense and following the laws. Chances are you already reported all this employment information (if not, go ahead and do so – you can do so online thanks to Harper v. Glass) and get more frequent address checks than the new laws require. For those who are looking to commit new sex crimes or cut off their ankle monitor, the new laws take away defenses, and raise penalties, but you obviously should not be committing new sex crimes or cutting off your ankle monitor! For everyone else, just keep doing what you are doing, be careful not to miss deadlines or put yourself in risky situations!

Sincerely,

The Florida Action Committee