FL S1404

Establishes a 5-year statute of limitations for criminal and civil actions under the Florida Communications Fraud Act (s. 817.034, F.S.).

Tolls (pauses) the statute of limitations in criminal cases when the defendant is continuously absent from the state or has no reasonably ascertainable place of abode or work, but this extension cannot exceed 1 year.

Reclassifies communications fraud violations involving amounts greater than $50,000 from a 1st degree felony in Level 6 to a 1st degree felony in Level 7 of the Criminal Punishment Code, increasing the severity ranking.

Takes effect October 1, 2013.