FL S0996

Creates section 817.535, Florida Statutes, prohibiting a person from filing or causing to be filed documents relating to real or personal property ownership, transfer, or claims that contain material misstatements, misrepresentations, or omissions of fact with intent to defraud.

Covered documents include deeds, leases, bills of sale, agreements, mortgages, notices of liens, promissory notes, and other instruments relating to property ownership, transfer, or encumbrance.

Violators commit fraudulent creation of an interest in real or personal property, a felony of the third degree, punishable under sections 775.082, 775.083, or 775.084, Florida Statutes.

Persons who fraudulently record construction liens are subject to fraud provisions under section 713.31 rather than this new statute.

Effective date: October 1, 2012.