Florida Senate - 2008 CS for SB 1128

By the Committee on Criminal Justice; and Senator Fasano

591-06981A-08 20081128c1

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A bill to be entitled

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An act relating to material harmful to minors; amending s.

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847.001, F.S.; redefining the term "harmful to minors";

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amending s. 847.011, F.S.; providing that it is a third-

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degree felony for any person to sell, distribute,

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transmit, advertise, or possess with the intent to sell,

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distribute, transmit, or advertise certain materials to

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minors; providing that ignorance of a minor's age or the

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minor's consent is not a defense in a prosecution for such

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a violation if the minor is younger than 12 years of age;

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providing penalties; amending s. 847.012, F.S.;

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prohibiting a person from knowingly using a minor in the

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production of certain materials, regardless of whether

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those materials are intended for distribution to minors or

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actually distributed to minors; providing a penalty;

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providing that ignorance of a minor's age or the minor's

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consent is not a defense in a prosecution for specified

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violations if the minor is younger than 12 years of age;

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amending s. 847.013, F.S.; providing that ignorance of a

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minor's age or the minor's consent is not a defense in a

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prosecution for specified violations if the minor is

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younger than 12 years of age; revising legislative intent

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concerning the enforcement of such laws with respect to

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minors; amending s. 847.0133, F.S.; revising terminology;

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amending s. 921.0022, F.S., relating to the offense

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severity ranking chart of the Criminal Punishment Code;

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establishing offense levels to conform to changes made by

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the act; providing an exemption to laws amended by the act

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for providers of communications services and providers of

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information services in certain circumstances; providing

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an effective date.

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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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     Section 1.  Subsection (6) of section 847.001, Florida

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Statutes, is amended to read:

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     847.001  Definitions.--As used in this chapter, the term:

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     (6)  "Harmful to minors" means any reproduction, imitation,

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characterization, description, exhibition, presentation, or

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representation, of whatever kind or form, depicting nudity,

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sexual conduct, or sexual excitement when it:

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     (a) Predominantly appeals to a the prurient, shameful, or

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morbid interest of minors;

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     (b)  Is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the

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adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable

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material or conduct for minors; and

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     (c)  Taken as a whole, is without serious literary,

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artistic, political, or scientific value for minors.

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A mother's breastfeeding of her baby is not under any

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circumstance "harmful to minors."

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     Section 2.  Subsections (1) and (2) of section 847.011,

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Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

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     847.011  Prohibition of certain acts in connection with

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obscene, lewd, etc., materials; penalty.--

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     (1)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c), any person who

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knowingly sells, lends, gives away, distributes, transmits,

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shows, or transmutes, or offers to sell, lend, give away,

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distribute, transmit, show, or transmute, or has in his or her

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possession, custody, or control with intent to sell, lend, give

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away, distribute, transmit, show, transmute, or advertise in any

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manner, any obscene book, magazine, periodical, pamphlet,

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newspaper, comic book, story paper, written or printed story or

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article, writing, paper, card, picture, drawing, photograph,

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motion picture film, figure, image, phonograph record, or wire or

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tape or other recording, or any written, printed, or recorded

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matter of any such character which may or may not require

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mechanical or other means to be transmuted into auditory, visual,

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or sensory representations of such character, or any article or

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instrument for obscene use, or purporting to be for obscene use

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or purpose; or who knowingly designs, copies, draws, photographs,

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poses for, writes, prints, publishes, or in any manner whatsoever

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manufactures or prepares any such material, matter, article, or

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thing of any such character; or who knowingly writes, prints,

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publishes, or utters, or causes to be written, printed,

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published, or uttered, any advertisement or notice of any kind,

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giving information, directly or indirectly, stating, or

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purporting to state, where, how, of whom, or by what means any,

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or what purports to be any, such material, matter, article, or

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thing of any such character can be purchased, obtained, or had;

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or who in any manner knowingly hires, employs, uses, or permits

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any person knowingly to do or assist in doing any act or thing

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mentioned above, commits is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first

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degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. A

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person who, after having been convicted of a violation of this

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subsection, thereafter violates any of its provisions, commits is

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guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in

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s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

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     (b)  The knowing possession by any person of three or more

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identical or similar materials, matters, articles, or things

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coming within the provisions of paragraph (a) is prima facie

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evidence of the violation of that said paragraph.

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     (c) A person who commits a violation of paragraph (a) or

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subsection (2) which is based on materials that depict a minor

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engaged in any act or conduct that is harmful to minors commits a

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felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082,

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s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

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     (d) A person's ignorance of a minor's age, a minor's

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misrepresentation of his or her age, a bona fide belief of a

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minor's age, or a minor's consent may not be raised as a defense

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in a prosecution for one or more violations of paragraph (a) or

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subsection (2) if the minor is younger than 12 years of age.

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     (2) Except as provided in paragraph (1)(c), a person who

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knowingly has in his or her possession, custody, or control any

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obscene book, magazine, periodical, pamphlet, newspaper, comic

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book, story paper, written or printed story or article, writing,

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paper, card, picture, drawing, photograph, motion picture film,

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film, any sticker, decal, emblem or other device attached to a

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motor vehicle containing obscene descriptions, photographs, or

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depictions, any figure, image, phonograph record, or wire or tape

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or other recording, or any written, printed, or recorded matter

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of any such character which may or may not require mechanical or

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other means to be transmuted into auditory, visual, or sensory

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representations of such character, or any article or instrument

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for obscene use, or purporting to be for obscene use or purpose,

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without intent to sell, lend, give away, distribute, transmit,

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show, transmute, or advertise the same, commits is guilty of a

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misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s.

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775.082 or s. 775.083. A person who, after having been convicted

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of violating this subsection, thereafter violates any of its

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provisions commits is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first

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degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. In

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any prosecution for such possession, it is shall not be necessary

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to allege or prove the absence of such intent.

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     Section 3.  Section 847.012, Florida Statutes, is amended to

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read:

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     847.012 Harmful materials; Prohibition of sale or other

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distribution of harmful materials to minors or using minors in

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production prohibited persons under 18 years of age; penalty.--

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     (1)  As used in this section, "knowingly" means having the

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general knowledge of, reason to know, or a belief or ground for

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belief which warrants further inspection or inquiry of both:

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     (a) The character and content of any material described in

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this section herein which is reasonably susceptible of

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examination by the defendant;, and

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     (b) The age of the minor; however, an honest mistake shall

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constitute an excuse from liability hereunder if the defendant

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made a reasonable bona fide attempt to ascertain the true age of

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such minor.

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     (2) A person's ignorance of a minor's age, a minor's

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misrepresentation of his or her age, a bona fide belief of a

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minor's age, or a minor's consent may not be raised as a defense

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in a prosecution for a violation of this section if the minor is

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younger than 12 years of age.

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     (3)(2) A It is unlawful for any person may not knowingly to

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sell, rent, or loan for monetary consideration to a minor:

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     (a)  Any picture, photograph, drawing, sculpture, motion

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picture film, videocassette, or similar visual representation or

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image of a person or portion of the human body which depicts

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nudity or sexual conduct, sexual excitement, sexual battery,

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bestiality, or sadomasochistic abuse and which is harmful to

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minors;, or

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     (b)  Any book, pamphlet, magazine, printed matter however

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reproduced, or sound recording that which contains any matter

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defined in s. 847.001, explicit and detailed verbal descriptions

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or narrative accounts of sexual excitement, or sexual conduct and

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that which is harmful to minors.

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     (4) A person may not knowingly use a minor in the

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production of any material described in subsection (3),

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regardless of whether the material is intended for distribution

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to minors or is actually distributed to minors.

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     (5)(3) Any person violating any provision of this section

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commits is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as

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provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

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     (6)(4) Every act, thing, or transaction forbidden by this

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section constitutes a separate offense and is punishable as such.

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     (7)(5)(a) The circuit court has jurisdiction to enjoin a

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violation of this section upon complaint filed by the state

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attorney in the name of the state upon the relation of such state

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attorney.

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     (b) After the filing of the such a complaint, the judge to

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whom it is presented may grant an order restraining the person

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complained of until final hearing or further order of the court.

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If Whenever the relator state attorney requests a judge of such

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court to set a hearing upon an application for such a restraining

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order, the such judge shall set the such hearing for a time

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within 3 days after the making of the such request. The No such

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order may not shall be made unless the such judge is satisfied

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that sufficient notice of the application therefor has been given

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to the party restrained of the time when and place where the

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application for the such restraining order is to be made.

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     (c) The person sought to be enjoined is shall be entitled

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to a trial of the issues within 1 day after joinder of issue, and

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a decision shall be rendered by the court within 2 days after of

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the conclusion of the trial.

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     (d) If In the event that a final decree of injunction is

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entered, it must shall contain a provision directing the

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defendant having the possession, custody, or control of the

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materials, matters, articles, or things affected by the

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injunction to surrender the same to the sheriff and requiring the

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sheriff to seize and destroy the same. The sheriff shall file a

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certificate of her or his compliance.

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     (e) In any action brought under as provided in this

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section, a no bond or undertaking may not shall be required of

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the state or the state attorney before the issuance of a

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restraining order provided for by paragraph (b), and there shall

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be no liability on the part of the state or the state attorney is

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not liable for costs or for damages sustained by reason of the

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such restraining order in any case where a final decree is

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rendered in favor of the person sought to be enjoined.

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     (f)  Every person who has possession, custody, or control

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of, or otherwise deals with, any of the materials, matters,

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articles, or things described in this section, after the service

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upon her or him of a summons and complaint in an action for

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injunction brought under this section, is chargeable with

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knowledge of the contents and character thereof.

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     (8)(6) The several sheriffs and state attorneys shall

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vigorously enforce this section within their respective

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jurisdictions.

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     (9)(7) This section does not apply to the exhibition of

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motion pictures, shows, presentations, or other representations

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regulated under the provisions of s. 847.013.

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     Section 4.  Section 847.013, Florida Statutes, is amended to

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read:

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     847.013  Exposing minors to harmful motion pictures,

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exhibitions, shows, presentations, or representations.--

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     (1)  "KNOWINGLY" DEFINED.--As used in this section

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"knowingly" means having general knowledge of, reason to know, or

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a belief or ground for belief which warrants further inspection

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or inquiry of both:

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     (a)  The character and content of any motion picture

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described herein which is reasonably susceptible of examination

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by the defendant, or the character of any exhibition,

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presentation, representation, or show described herein, other

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than a motion picture show, which is reasonably susceptible of

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being ascertained by the defendant;, and

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     (b) The age of the minor; however, an honest mistake shall

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constitute an excuse from liability hereunder if the defendant

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made a reasonable bona fide attempt to ascertain the true age of

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such minor.

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     (2) MINOR'S AGE.--A person's ignorance of a minor's age, a

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minor's misrepresentation of his or her age, a bona fide belief

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of a minor's age, or a minor's consent may not be raised as a

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defense in a prosecution for a violation of this section if the

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minor is younger than 12 years of age.

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     (3)(2) OFFENSES AND PENALTIES.--

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     (a) A It is unlawful for any person may not knowingly to

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exhibit for a monetary consideration to a minor or knowingly to

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sell or rent a videotape of a motion picture to a minor or

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knowingly sell to a minor an admission ticket or pass or

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knowingly admit a minor for a monetary consideration to premises

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whereon there is exhibited a motion picture, exhibition, show,

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representation, or other presentation which, in whole or in part,

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depicts nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, sexual

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battery, bestiality, or sadomasochistic abuse and which is

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harmful to minors.

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     (b) A It is unlawful for any person may not knowingly to

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rent or sell, or loan to a minor for monetary consideration, a

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videocassette or a videotape of a motion picture, or similar

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presentation, which, in whole or in part, depicts nudity, sexual

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conduct, sexual excitement, sexual battery, bestiality, or

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sadomasochistic abuse and which is harmful to minors.

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     (c)  The provisions of paragraph (a) do not apply to a minor

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when the minor is accompanied by his or her parents or either of

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them.

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     (d) A It is unlawful for any minor may not to falsely

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represent to the owner of any premises mentioned in paragraph

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(a), or to the owner's agent, or to any person mentioned in

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paragraph (b), that the such minor is 17 years of age or older,

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with the intent to procure the such minor's admission to the such

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premises, or the such minor's purchase or rental of a videotape,

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for a monetary consideration.

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     (e) A It is unlawful for any person may not to knowingly

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make a false representation to the owner of any premises

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mentioned in paragraph (a), or to the owner's agent, or to any

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person mentioned in paragraph (b), that he or she is the parent

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of any minor or that any minor is 17 years of age or older, with

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intent to procure the such minor's admission to the such premises

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or to aid the such minor in procuring admission thereto, or to

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aid or enable the such minor's purchase or rental of a videotape,

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for a monetary consideration.

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     (f)  A violation of any provision of this subsection

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constitutes a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as

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provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

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     (4)(3) INJUNCTIVE PROCEEDINGS.--

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     (a)  The circuit court has jurisdiction to enjoin a

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threatened violation of subsection (2) upon complaint filed by

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the state attorney in the name of the state upon the relation of

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such state attorney.

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     (b) After the filing of the such a complaint, the judge to

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whom it is presented may grant an order restraining the person or

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persons complained of until final hearing or further order of the

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court. Whenever the relator requests a judge of the such court to

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set a hearing upon an application for such a restraining order,

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the such judge shall set the such hearing for a time within 3

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days after the making of the such request. An No such order may

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not shall be made unless the such judge is satisfied that

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sufficient notice of the application therefor has been given to

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the person or persons restrained of the time when and place where

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the application for the such restraining order is to be heard.

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However, the such notice shall be dispensed with when it is

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manifest to the such judge, from the allegations of a sworn

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complaint or independent affidavit, sworn to by the relator or by

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some person associated with him or her in the field of law

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enforcement and filed by the relator, that the apprehended

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violation will be committed if an immediate remedy is not

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afforded.

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     (c) The person or persons sought to be enjoined are shall

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be entitled to a trial of the issues within 1 day after joinder

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of issue, and a decision shall be rendered by the court within 2

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days after the conclusion of the trial.

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     (d) In any action brought as provided in this section, a no

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bond or undertaking is not shall be required of the state or the

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relator state attorney before the issuance of a restraining order

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provided for by this section, and there is shall be no liability

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on the part of the state or the relator state attorney for costs

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or damages sustained by reason of such restraining order in any

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case in which a final decree is rendered in favor of the person

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or persons sought to be enjoined.

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     (e)  Every person who has possession, custody, or control

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of, or otherwise deals with, any motion picture, exhibition,

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show, representation, or presentation described in this section,

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after the service upon him or her of a summons and complaint in

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an action for injunction brought under this section, is

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chargeable with knowledge of the contents or character thereof.

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     (5)(4) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--In order to make the

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application and enforcement of this section uniform throughout

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the state, it is the intent of the Legislature to preempt the

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field, to the exclusion of counties and municipalities, insofar

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as it concerns exposing persons under 17 years of age to harmful

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motion pictures, exhibitions, shows, representations, and

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presentations, and commercial or sexual exploitation. To that

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end, it is hereby declared that every county ordinance and every

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municipal ordinance adopted prior to July 1, 1969, and relating

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to such subject shall stand abrogated and unenforceable on and

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after such date and that no county, municipality, or consolidated

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county-municipal government shall have the power to adopt any

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ordinance relating to that subject on or after such effective

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date.

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     Section 5.  Subsection (1) of section 847.0133, Florida

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Statutes, is amended to read:

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     847.0133  Protection of minors; prohibition of certain acts

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in connection with obscenity; penalty.--

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     (1) A It is unlawful for any person may not knowingly to

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sell, rent, loan, give away, distribute, transmit, or show any

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obscene material to a minor. For purposes of this section

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"obscene material" means any obscene book, magazine, periodical,

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pamphlet, newspaper, comic book, story paper, written or printed

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story or article, writing paper, card, picture, drawing,

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photograph, motion picture film, figure, image, videotape,

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videocassette, phonograph record, or wire or tape or other

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recording, or any written, printed, or recorded matter of any

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such character which may or may not require mechanical or other

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means to be transmuted into auditory, visual, or sensory

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representations of such character, or any article or instrument

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for obscene use, or purporting to be for obscene use or purpose.

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The term "obscene" has shall have the same meaning as set forth

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in s. 847.001.

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     Section 6.  Paragraph (f) of subsection (3) of section

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921.0022, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

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     921.0022  Criminal Punishment Code; offense severity ranking

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chart.--

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     (3)  OFFENSE SEVERITY RANKING CHART

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     (f)  LEVEL 6

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FloridaStatuteFelonyDegreeDescription

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316.193(2)(b)3rdFelony DUI, 4th or subsequent conviction.

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499.0051(3)2ndForgery of pedigree papers.

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499.0051(4)2ndPurchase or receipt of legend drug from unauthorized person.

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499.0051(5)2ndSale of legend drug to unauthorized person.

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775.0875(1)3rdTaking firearm from law enforcement officer.

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784.021(1)(a)3rdAggravated assault; deadly weapon without intent to kill.

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784.021(1)(b)3rdAggravated assault; intent to commit felony.

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784.0413rdFelony battery; domestic battery by strangulation.

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784.048(3)3rdAggravated stalking; credible threat.

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784.048(5)3rdAggravated stalking of person under 16.

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784.07(2)(c)2ndAggravated assault on law enforcement officer.

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784.074(1)(b)2ndAggravated assault on sexually violent predators facility staff.

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784.08(2)(b)2ndAggravated assault on a person 65 years of age or older.

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784.081(2)2ndAggravated assault on specified official or employee.

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784.082(2)2ndAggravated assault by detained person on visitor or other detainee.

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784.083(2)2ndAggravated assault on code inspector.

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787.02(2)3rdFalse imprisonment; restraining with purpose other than those in s. 787.01.

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790.115(2)(d)2ndDischarging firearm or weapon on school property.

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790.161(2)2ndMake, possess, or throw destructive device with intent to do bodily harm or damage property.

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790.164(1)2ndFalse report of deadly explosive, weapon of mass destruction, or act of arson or violence to state property.

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790.192ndShooting or throwing deadly missiles into dwellings, vessels, or vehicles.

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794.011(8)(a)3rdSolicitation of minor to participate in sexual activity by custodial adult.

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794.05(1)2ndUnlawful sexual activity with specified minor.

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800.04(5)(d)3rdLewd or lascivious molestation; victim 12 years of age or older but less than 16 years; offender less than 18 years.

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800.04(6)(b)2ndLewd or lascivious conduct; offender 18 years of age or older.

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806.031(2)2ndArson resulting in great bodily harm to firefighter or any other person.

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810.02(3)(c)2ndBurglary of occupied structure; unarmed; no assault or battery.

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812.014(2)(b)1.2ndProperty stolen $20,000 or more, but less than $100,000, grand theft in 2nd degree.

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812.014(6)2ndTheft; property stolen $3,000 or more; coordination of others.

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812.015(9)(a)2ndRetail theft; property stolen $300 or more; second or subsequent conviction.

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812.015(9)(b)2ndRetail theft; property stolen $3,000 or more; coordination of others.

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812.13(2)(c)2ndRobbery, no firearm or other weapon (strong-arm robbery).

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817.034(4)(a)1.1stCommunications fraud, value greater than $50,000.

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817.4821(5)2ndPossess cloning paraphernalia with intent to create cloned cellular telephones.

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825.102(1)3rdAbuse of an elderly person or disabled adult.

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825.102(3)(c)3rdNeglect of an elderly person or disabled adult.

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825.1025(3)3rdLewd or lascivious molestation of an elderly person or disabled adult.

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825.103(2)(c)3rdExploiting an elderly person or disabled adult and property is valued at less than $20,000.

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827.03(1)3rdAbuse of a child.

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827.03(3)(c)3rdNeglect of a child.

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827.071(2)&(3)2ndUse or induce a child in a sexual performance, or promote or direct such performance.

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836.052ndThreats; extortion.

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836.102ndWritten threats to kill or do bodily injury.

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843.123rdAids or assists person to escape.

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847.0113rdDistributing, offering to distribute, or possessing with intent to distribute obscene materials depicting minors.

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847.0123rdKnowingly using a minor in the production of materials harmful to minors.

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847.0135(2)3rdFacilitates sexual conduct of or with a minor or the visual depiction of such conduct.

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914.232ndRetaliation against a witness, victim, or informant, with bodily injury.

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944.35(3)(a)2.3rdCommitting malicious battery upon or inflicting cruel or inhuman treatment on an inmate or offender on community supervision, resulting in great bodily harm.

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944.402ndEscapes.

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944.463rdHarboring, concealing, aiding escaped prisoners.

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944.47(1)(a)5.2ndIntroduction of contraband (firearm, weapon, or explosive) into correctional facility.

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951.22(1)3rdIntoxicating drug, firearm, or weapon introduced into county facility.

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     Section 7. The amendments to ss. 847.012, 847.011, 847.013,

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and 847.0133, Florida Statutes, made by this act do not apply to

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providers of communications services as defined in s. 202.11,

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Florida Statutes, or to providers of information services,

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including, but not limited to, Internet access service providers

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and hosting service providers, when they provide only the

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transmission, storage, or caching of electronic communications or

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messages of others or provide other related communications or

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information services used by others in violation of such amended

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provisions. This exemption does not apply to providers of

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communications services as defined in s. 202.11, Florida

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Statutes, or providers of information services that knowingly for

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commercial advantage or private financial gain facilitate the

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specific violation of such amended provisions by others.

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     Section 8.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2008.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.