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FL S0494
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/5/2025
Primary Sponsor
Criminal Justice
Click for details
AI Summary
- Officially cited as "Dexter's Law," amending Florida's animal cruelty statute (s. 828.12) and criminal sentencing guidelines (s. 921.0024)
- Beginning January 1, 2026, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement must publish a searchable online database of individuals convicted of, or who pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, animal cruelty violations, regardless of adjudication
- Establishes a 1.25x sentencing multiplier on subtotal sentence points when the primary offense is aggravated animal cruelty involving the knowing and intentional torture or torment of an animal that resulted in injury, mutilation, or death
- Excludes animals used for agricultural purposes or those permitted as captive wildlife under s. 379.303 from the sentencing multiplier provision
- Effective date is July 1, 2025
Legislative Description
Aggravated Animal Cruelty
Last Action
Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 255 (Ch. 2025-102)
4/29/2025
Committee Referrals
Fiscal Policy4/11/2025
Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice3/26/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available