CS/CS/HB 435 Summary

• Changes sexual activities involving animals from a misdemeanor of the first degree to a felony of the third degree, with enhanced criminal penalties under Florida's Criminal Punishment Code.

• Expands the definition of "sexual contact with an animal" to include broader conduct and adds new prohibited activities including filming, distributing, or possessing pornographic images or videos of such acts.

• Requires courts to issue mandatory orders prohibiting convicted persons from harboring, owning, possessing, or exercising control over any animal; residing in households with animals; and engaging in any paid or unpaid work involving animals for up to 5 years following conviction.

• Ranks the offense of sexual activities involving animals (s. 828.126(3)) as a Level 6 felony in the Criminal Punishment Code sentencing guidelines.

• Takes effect October 1, 2022.