CS/CS/HB 75

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to the offense of sexting; providing that
3a minor commits the offense of sexting if he or she
4knowingly uses a computer, or any other device capable of
5electronic data transmission or distribution, to transmit
6or distribute to another minor any photograph or video of
7any person which depicts nudity and is harmful to minors;
8providing that a minor commits the offense of sexting if
9he or she knowingly possesses a photograph or video of any
10person that was transmitted or distributed by another
11minor which depicts nudity and is harmful to minors;
12providing an exception; providing noncriminal and criminal
13penalties; providing that the transmission, distribution,
14or possession of multiple photographs or videos is a
15single offense if the transmission occurs within a 24-hour
16period; providing that the act does not prohibit
17prosecution of a minor for conduct relating to material
18that includes the depiction of sexual conduct or sexual
19excitement or for stalking; defining the term "found to
20have committed"; providing an effective date.
21
22Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
23
24     Section 1.  Sexting; prohibited acts; penalties.-
25     (1)  A minor commits the offense of sexting if he or she
26knowingly:
27     (a)  Uses a computer, or any other device capable of
28electronic data transmission or distribution, to transmit or
29distribute to another minor any photograph or video of any
30person which depicts nudity, as defined in s. 847.001(9),
31Florida Statutes, and is harmful to minors, as defined in s.
32847.001(6), Florida Statutes.
33     (b)  Possesses a photograph or video of any person that was
34transmitted or distributed by another minor which depicts
35nudity, as defined in s. 847.001(9), Florida Statutes, and is
36harmful to minors, as defined in s. 847.001(6), Florida
37Statutes. A minor does not violate paragraph this paragraph if
38all of the following apply:
39     1.  The minor did not solicit the photograph or video.
40     2.  The minor took reasonable steps to report the
41photograph or video to the minor's legal guardian or to a school
42or law enforcement official.
43     3.  The minor did not transmit or distribute the photograph
44or video to a third party.
45     (2)(a)  The transmission or distribution of multiple
46photographs or videos prohibited by paragraph (1)(a) is a single
47offense if the photographs or videos were transmitted or
48distributed within the same 24-hour period.
49     (b)  The possession of multiple photographs or videos that
50were transmitted or distributed by a minor prohibited by
51paragraph (1)(b) is a single offense if the photographs or
52videos were transmitted or distributed by a minor in the same
5324-hour period.
54     (3)  A minor who violates subsection (1):
55     (a)  Commits a noncriminal violation for a first violation,
56punishable by 8 hours of community service or, if ordered by the
57court in lieu of community service, a $60 fine. The court may
58also order the minor to participate in suitable training or
59instruction in lieu of, or in addition to, community service or
60a fine.
61     (b)  Commits a misdemeanor of the first degree for a
62violation that occurs after being found to have committed a
63noncriminal violation for sexting, punishable as provided in s.
64775.082 or s. 775.083, Florida Statutes.
65     (c)  Commits a felony of the third degree for a violation
66that occurs after being found to have committed a misdemeanor of
67the first degree for sexting, punishable as provided in s.
68775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, Florida Statutes.
69     (4)  This section does not prohibit the prosecution of a
70minor for a violation of any law of this state if the photograph
71or video that depicts nudity also includes the depiction of
72sexual conduct or sexual excitement, and does not prohibit the
73prosecution of a minor for stalking under s. 784.048, Florida
74Statutes.
75     (5)  As used in this section, the term "found to have
76committed" means a determination of guilt that is the result of
77a plea or trial, or a finding of delinquency that is the result
78of a plea or an adjudicatory hearing, regardless of whether
79adjudication is withheld.
80     Section 2.  This act shall take effect October 1, 2011.


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