FloridaChild reporting violations start prosecution time limits when agencies learn of them
For violations of required reporting rules concerning children, the law starts the prosecution time limit when law enforcement or another government agency learns of the violation.
What it does
For a violation of required reporting rules concerning children, the time limit for prosecution starts when a law enforcement or other government agency learns of it. The institution where the violation occurred does not count.
Argument forAgencies could pursue a case when they learn of a reporting violation long after it happened.
Argument againstPeople accused of a violation could face prosecution later, after more time has passed since the event.
More detail
The time limit for prosecuting a violation of section 39.201 starts when a law enforcement or other government agency learns of the violation. This rule covers violations of section 39.201, concerning required reports about children. The institution where the violation occurred does not count as the agency that learns of it. The law took effect July 1, 2026. It applies only to offenses that were not already barred from prosecution on or before that date.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Chapter No. 2026-95Latest
- May 22Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- May 21Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 17Ordered enrolledMinor
- Mar 10CS passed; YEAS 111, NAYS 0Passed House
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 10Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 10Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Mar 10Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 91st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Mar 9Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/10/2026)
- Mar 9Bill referred to House Calendar
- Feb 19In Messages
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 19Immediately certified
- Feb 19CS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Feb 19Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 19Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 11Retained on Special Order Calendar
- Feb 9Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/11/26
- Feb 3Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Vote recorded Favorable. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 3Favorable by- Rules; YEAS 23 NAYS 0Minor
- Jan 29On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/03/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building
- Jan 22CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs read 1st time
- Jan 22Now in Rules
- Jan 21Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
- Jan 20CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; YEAS 6 NAYS 0
- Vote recorded Favorable with Committee Substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 15On Committee agenda-- Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, 01/20/26, 9:30 am, 301 Senate Building
- Jan 13IntroducedMinor
- Jan 12Now in Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
- Vote recorded Favorable. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 12Favorable by Criminal Justice; YEAS 8 NAYS 0Minor
- Jan 5On Committee agenda-- Criminal Justice, 01/12/26, 1:30 pm, 37 Senate Building
- 2025
- Dec 9Referred to Criminal Justice; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; RulesMinor
- Nov 19FiledIntroduced
Criminal Justice