FL H0431

Creates section 784.09, Florida Statutes, establishing four new crimes: abuse of a parent, aggravated abuse of a parent, exploitation of a parent's assets, and emotional abuse of a parent, with "child" defined as unmarried person under 18 years old and "parent" as a child's legal parent.

Abuse of a parent includes inflicting or threatening physical injury/great bodily harm, committing acts reasonably expected to cause such harm, or actively encouraging such acts, punishable as a second-degree misdemeanor.

Aggravated abuse includes aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, or causing great bodily harm/permanent disability/disfigurement, punishable as second-degree felony for battery or first-degree felony for permanent disfigurement.

Exploitation of parent's assets includes willfully damaging or stealing property, or engaging in activities that financially harm the parent (theft, incurring fines, making unauthorized purchases in parent's name), with penalties ranging from second-degree misdemeanor to first-degree felony based on asset value ($500 to $50,000+).

Requires reporting suspected parent abuse or asset exploitation to the Department of Children and Families' central abuse hotline and provides immunity from prosecution for good-faith reports or investigation participation; takes effect October 1, 2017.