HB 1137 Summary

• Creates section 784.09 of Florida Statutes establishing four crimes involving children's abuse or exploitation of parents: abuse of a parent, aggravated abuse of a parent, exploitation of a parent's assets, and emotional abuse of a parent.

• Defines "child" as an unmarried person younger than 18 years of age who has not been emancipated by court order, and "parent" as a child's legal parent.

• Establishes varying criminal penalties ranging from second-degree misdemeanor for abuse to first-degree felony for great bodily harm or exploitation of assets valued at $50,000 or more.

• Authorizes courts to reduce felony charges to misdemeanor and impose alternative sentencing including probation or specialized intervention programs for aggravated abuse or asset exploitation convictions.

• Requires reporting of suspected parent abuse or asset exploitation to the Department of Children and Families central abuse hotline, with immunity from prosecution for good faith reporters and investigation participants.

• Takes effect October 1, 2016.