Florida statute
Fla. Stat. § 775.21 — The Florida Sexual Predators Act
Current through 2025 Florida Statutes
Part of Chapter 775: General Penalties; Registration of Criminals, Florida Statutes.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Fla. Stat. § 775.21
Statutory text current through the 2025 Florida Statutes. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Florida.
(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as “The Florida Sexual Predators Act.”
(2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:(a) “Change in status at an institution of higher education” means the commencement or termination of enrollment, including, but not limited to, traditional classroom setting or online courses, or employment, whether for compensation or as a volunteer, at an institution of higher education or a change in location of enrollment or employment, whether for compensation or as a volunteer, at an institution of higher education.(b) “Chief of police” means the chief law enforcement officer of a municipality.(c) “Child care facility” has the same meaning as provided in s. 402.302.(d) “Community” means any county where the sexual predator lives or otherwise establishes or maintains a permanent, temporary, or transient residence.(e) “Conviction” means a determination of guilt which is the result of a trial or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld. A conviction for a similar offense includes, but is not limited to, a conviction by a federal or military tribunal, including courts-martial conducted by the Armed Forces of the United States, and includes a conviction or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere in any state of the United States or other jurisdiction.(f) “Department” means the Department of Law Enforcement.(g) “Electronic mail address” has the same meaning as provided in s. 668.602.(h) “Entering the county” includes being discharged from a correctional facility or jail or secure treatment facility within the county or being under supervision within the county for the commission of a violation enumerated in subsection (4).(i) “Institution of higher education” means a career center, a community college, a college, a state university, or an independent postsecondary educational institution.(j) “Internet identifier” means any designation, moniker, screen name, username, or other name used for self-identification to send or receive social Internet communication. Internet identifier does not include a date of birth, social security number, personal identification number (PIN), or password. A sexual offender’s or sexual predator’s use of an Internet identifier that discloses his or her date of birth, social security number, PIN, password, or other information that would reveal the identity of the sexual offender or sexual predator waives the disclosure exemption in this paragraph for such personal information.(k) “Permanent residence” means a place where the person abides, lodges, or resides for 3 or more consecutive days that is the person’s home or other place where the person primarily lives. For the purpose of calculating a permanent residence under this paragraph, the first day that a person abides, lodges, or resides at a place is excluded and each subsequent day is counted. A day includes any part of a calendar day.(l) “Professional license” means the document of authorization or certification issued by an agency of this state for a regulatory purpose, or by any similar agency in another jurisdiction for a regulatory purpose, to a person to engage in an occupation or to carry out a trade or business.(m) “Social Internet communication” means any communication through a commercial social networking website as defined in s. 943.0437, or application software. The term does not include any of the following:1. Communication for which the primary purpose is the facilitation of commercial transactions involving goods or services;2. Communication on an Internet website for which the primary purpose of the website is the dissemination of news; or3. Communication with a governmental entity.As used in this paragraph, the term “application software” means any computer program designed to run on a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet computer, that allows users to create web pages or profiles that provide information about themselves and are available publicly or to other users, and that offers a mechanism for communication with other users through a forum, a chatroom, electronic mail, or an instant messenger.(n)1. “Temporary residence” means a place where the person abides, lodges, or resides, including, but not limited to, vacation, business, or personal travel destinations in or out of this state, for 3 or more days in the aggregate during any calendar year that is not the person’s permanent or transient residence. For a person whose permanent residence is not in this state, the term also includes a place where the person is employed, practices a vocation, or is enrolled as a student for any period of time in this state.2. The term includes an “in-state travel residence,” which means a temporary residence in this state established by a person who already has an existing permanent, temporary, or transient residence in this state.For the purpose of calculating a temporary residence under this paragraph, the first day that a person abides, lodges, or resides at a place is excluded and each subsequent day is counted. A day includes any part of a calendar day.(o) “Transient residence” means a county where the person lives, remains, or is located for the purpose of abiding, lodging, or residing for 3 or more days in the aggregate during a calendar year that is not the person’s permanent or temporary residence. The term includes, but is not limited to, a place where the person sleeps or seeks shelter and a location that has no specific street address. For the purpose of calculating a transient residence under this paragraph, the first day that a person lives, remains, or is located in a county for the purpose of abiding, lodging, or residing is excluded and each subsequent day is counted. A day includes any part of a calendar day.(p) “Vehicles owned” means any motor vehicle as defined in s. 320.01, which is registered, coregistered, leased, titled, or rented by a sexual predator or sexual offender; a rented vehicle that a sexual predator or sexual offender is authorized to drive; or a vehicle for which a sexual predator or sexual offender is insured as a driver. The term also includes any motor vehicle as defined in s. 320.01, which is registered, coregistered, leased, titled, or rented by a person or persons residing at a sexual predator’s or sexual offender’s permanent residence for 5 or more consecutive days.
(3) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND PURPOSE; LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—(a) Repeat sexual offenders, sexual offenders who use physical violence, and sexual offenders who prey on children are sexual predators who present an extreme threat to the public safety. Sexual offenders are extremely likely to use physical violence and to repeat their offenses, and most sexual offenders commit many offenses, have many more victims than are ever reported, and are prosecuted for only a fraction of their crimes. This makes the cost of sexual offender victimization to society at large, while incalculable, clearly exorbitant.(b) The high level of threat that a sexual predator presents to the public safety, and the long-term effects suffered by victims of sex offenses, provide the state with sufficient justification to implement a strategy that includes:1. Incarcerating sexual predators and maintaining adequate facilities to ensure that decisions to release sexual predators into the community are not made on the basis of inadequate space.2. Providing for specialized supervision of sexual predators who are in the community by specially trained probation officers with low caseloads, as described in ss. 947.1405(7) and 948.30. The sexual predator is subject to specified terms and conditions implemented at sentencing or at the time of release from incarceration, with a requirement that those who are financially able must pay all or part of the costs of supervision.3. Requiring the registration of sexual predators, with a requirement that complete and accurate information be maintained and accessible for use by law enforcement authorities, communities, and the public.4. Providing for community and public notification concerning the presence of sexual predators.5. Prohibiting sexual predators from working with children, either for compensation or as a volunteer.(c) The state has a compelling interest in protecting the public from sexual predators and in protecting children from predatory sexual activity, and there is sufficient justification for requiring sexual predators to register and for requiring community and public notification of the presence of sexual predators.(d) It is the purpose of the Legislature that, upon the court’s written finding that an offender is a sexual predator, in order to protect the public, it is necessary that the sexual predator be registered with the department and that members of the community and the public be notified of the sexual predator’s presence. The designation of a person as a sexual predator is neither a sentence nor a punishment but simply a status resulting from the conviction of certain crimes.(e) It is the intent of the Legislature to address the problem of sexual predators by:1. Requiring sexual predators supervised in the community to have special conditions of supervision and to be supervised by probation officers with low caseloads;2. Requiring sexual predators to register with the department, as provided in this section; and3. Requiring community and public notification of the presence of a sexual predator, as provided in this section.
(4) SEXUAL PREDATOR CRITERIA.—(a) For a current offense committed on or after October 1, 1993, upon conviction, an offender shall be designated as a “sexual predator” under subsection (5), and subject to registration under subsection (6) and community and public notification under subsection (7) if:1. The felony is:a. A capital, life, or first degree felony violation, or any attempt thereof, of s. 787.01 or s. 787.02, where the victim is a minor, or s. 787.06(3)(f) or (g), where the victim is a minor, or (5); s. 794.011, s. 800.04, or s. 847.0145, or a violation of a similar law of another jurisdiction; orb. Any felony violation, or any attempt thereof, of s. 393.135(2); s. 394.4593(2); s. 787.01, s. 787.02, or s. 787.025(2)(c), where the victim is a minor; s. 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), or (g), or (5); former s. 787.06(3)(h); s. 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10); s. 794.05; former s. 796.03; former s. 796.035; s. 800.04; s. 810.145(8)(b); s. 825.1025; s. 827.071; s. 847.0135, excluding s. 847.0135(6); s. 847.0145; s. 895.03, if the court makes a written finding that the racketeering activity involved at least one sexual offense listed in this sub-subparagraph or at least one offense listed in this sub-subparagraph with sexual intent or motive; s. 916.1075(2); or s. 985.701(1); or a violation of a similar law of another jurisdiction, and the offender has previously been convicted of or found to have committed, or has pled nolo contendere or guilty to, regardless of adjudication, any violation of s. 393.135(2); s. 394.4593(2); s. 787.01, s. 787.02, or s. 787.025(2)(c), where the victim is a minor; s. 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), or (g), or (5); former s. 787.06(3)(h); s. 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10); s. 794.05; former s. 796.03; former s. 796.035; s. 800.04; s. 825.1025; s. 827.071; s. 847.0133; s. 847.0135, excluding s. 847.0135(6); s. 847.0145; s. 895.03, if the court makes a written finding that the racketeering activity involved at least one sexual offense listed in this sub-subparagraph or at least one offense listed in this sub-subparagraph with sexual intent or motive; s. 916.1075(2); or s. 985.701(1); or a violation of a similar law of another jurisdiction;2. The offender has not received a pardon for any felony or similar law of another jurisdiction that is necessary for the operation of this paragraph; and3. A conviction of a felony or similar law of another jurisdiction necessary to the operation of this paragraph has not been set aside in any postconviction proceeding.(b) In order to be counted as a prior felony for purposes of this subsection, the felony must have resulted in a conviction sentenced separately, or an adjudication of delinquency entered separately, prior to the current offense and sentenced or adjudicated separately from any other felony conviction that is to be counted as a prior felony regardless of the date of offense of the prior felony.(c) If an offender has been registered as a sexual predator by the Department of Corrections, the department, or any other law enforcement agency and if:1. The court did not, for whatever reason, make a written finding at the time of sentencing that the offender was a sexual predator; or2. The offender was administratively registered as a sexual predator because the Department of Corrections, the department, or any other law enforcement agency obtained information that indicated that the offender met the criteria for designation as a sexual predator based on a violation of a similar law in another jurisdiction,the department shall remove that offender from the department’s list of sexual predators and, for an offender described under subparagraph 1., shall notify the state attorney who prosecuted the offense that met the criteria for administrative designation as a sexual predator, and, for an offender described under this paragraph, shall notify the state attorney of the county where the offender establishes or maintains a permanent, temporary, or transient residence. The state attorney shall bring the matter to the court’s attention in order to establish that the offender meets the criteria for designation as a sexual predator. If the court makes a written finding that the offender is a sexual predator, the offender must be designated as a sexual predator, must register or be registered as a sexual predator with the department as provided in subsection (6), and is subject to the community and public notification as provided in subsection (7). If the court does not make a written finding that the offender is a sexual predator, the offender may not be designated as a sexual predator with respect to that offense and is not required to register or be registered as a sexual predator with the department.(d) An offender who has been determined to be a sexually violent predator pursuant to a civil commitment proceeding under chapter 394 shall be designated as a “sexual predator” under subsection (5) and subject to registration under subsection (6) and community and public notification under subsection (7).
(5) SEXUAL PREDATOR DESIGNATION.—An offender is designated as a sexual predator as follows:(a)1. An offender who meets the sexual predator criteria described in paragraph (4)(d) is a sexual predator, and the court shall make a written finding at the time such offender is determined to be a sexually violent predator under chapter 394 that such person meets the criteria for designation as a sexual predator for purposes of this section. The clerk shall transmit a copy of the order containing the written finding to the department within 48 hours after the entry of the order;2. An offender who meets the sexual predator criteria described in paragraph (4)(a) who is before the court for sentencing for a current offense committed on or after October 1, 1993, is a sexual predator, and the sentencing court must make a written finding at the time of sentencing that the offender is a sexual predator, and the clerk of the court shall transmit a copy of the order containing the written finding to the department within 48 hours after the entry of the order; or3. If the Department of Corrections, the department, or any other law enforcement agency obtains information which indicates that an offender who establishes or maintains a permanent, temporary, or transient residence in this state meets the sexual predator criteria described in paragraph (4)(a) or paragraph (4)(d) because the offender was civilly committed or committed a similar violation in another jurisdiction on or after October 1, 1993, the Department of Corrections, the department, or the law enforcement agency shall notify the state attorney of the county where the offender establishes or maintains a permanent, temporary, or transient residence of the offender’s presence in the community. The state attorney shall file a petition with the criminal division of the circuit court for the purpose of holding a hearing to determine if the offender’s criminal record or record of civil commitment from another jurisdiction meets the sexual predator criteria. If the court finds that the offender meets the sexual predator criteria because the offender has violated a similar law or similar laws in another jurisdiction, the court shall make a written finding that the offender is a sexual predator.When the court makes a written finding that an offender is a sexual predator, the court shall inform the sexual predator of the registration and community and public notification requirements described in this section. Within 48 hours after the court designates an offender as a sexual predator, the clerk of the circuit court shall transmit a copy of the court’s written sexual predator finding to the department. If the offender is sentenced to a term of imprisonment or supervision, a copy of the court’s written sexual predator finding must be submitted to the Department of Corrections.(b) If a sexual predator is not sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the clerk of the court shall ensure that the sexual predator’s fingerprints are taken and forwarded to the department within 48 hours after the court renders its written sexual predator finding. The fingerprints shall be clearly marked, “Sexual Predator Registration.” The clerk of the court that convicts and sentences the sexual predator for the offense or offenses described in subsection (4) shall forward to the department and to the Department of Corrections a certified copy of any order entered by the court imposing any special condition or restriction on the sexual predator that restricts or prohibits access to the victim, if the victim is a minor, or to other minors.(c) If the Department of Corrections, the department, or any other law enforcement agency obtains information which indicates that an offender meets the sexual predator criteria but the court did not make a written finding that the offender is a sexual predator as required in paragraph (a), the Department of Corrections, the department, or the law enforcement agency shall notify the state attorney who prosecuted the offense for offenders described in subparagraph (a)1., or the state attorney of the county where the offender establishes or maintains a residence upon first entering the state for offenders described in subparagraph (a)3. The state attorney shall bring the matter to the court’s attention in order to establish that the offender meets the sexual predator criteria. If the state attorney fails to establish that an offender meets the sexual predator criteria and the court does not make a written finding that an offender is a sexual predator, the offender is not required to register with the department as a sexual predator. The Department of Corrections, the department, or any other law enforcement agency shall not administratively designate an offender as a sexual predator without a written finding from the court that the offender is a sexual predator.(d) A person who establishes or maintains a residence in this state and who has not been designated as a sexual predator by a court of this state but who has been designated as a sexual predator, as a sexually violent predator, or any other sexual offender designation in another state or jurisdiction and was, as a result of such designation, subjected to registration or community or public notification, or both, or would be if the person was a resident of that state or jurisdiction, without regard to whether the person otherwise meets the criteria for registration as a sexual offender, shall register in the manner provided in s. 943.0435 or s. 944.607 and shall be subject to community and public notification as provided in s. 943.0435 or s. 944.607. A person who meets the criteria of this section is subject to the requirements and penalty provisions of s. 943.0435 or s. 944.607 until the person provides the department with an order issued by the court that designated the person as a sexual predator, as a sexually violent predator, or any other sexual offender designation in the state or jurisdiction in which the order was issued which states that such designation has been removed or demonstrates to the department that such designation, if not imposed by a court, has been removed by operation of law or court order in the state or jurisdiction in which the designation was made, provided that such person no longer meets the criteria for registration as a sexual offender under the laws of this state. To qualify for removal of the registration requirements under this paragraph, a sexual offender described in this paragraph must meet the criteria for removal under s. 943.0435.
(6) REGISTRATION.—(a) A sexual predator shall register with the department through the sheriff’s office by providing the following information to the department:1. Name; social security number; age; race; sex; date of birth; height; weight; tattoos or other identifying marks; hair and eye color; photograph; address of permanent or legal residence and address of any current temporary residence, within this state or out of state, including a rural route address and a post office box; if he or she has no permanent or temporary address, any transient residence within this state; address, location or description, and dates of any current or known future temporary residence within this state or out of state; electronic mail addresses; Internet identifiers and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name; home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers; employment information, including occupation, business name, employment address, and telephone number; the make, model, color, vehicle identification number (VIN), and license tag number of all vehicles owned; date and place of each conviction; fingerprints; palm prints; and a brief description of the crime or crimes committed by the sexual predator. A post office box may not be provided in lieu of a physical residential address. The sexual predator shall also produce his or her passport, if he or she has a passport, and, if he or she is an alien, shall produce or provide information about documents establishing his or her immigration status. The sexual predator shall also provide information about any professional licenses he or she has.a. Any change that occurs after the sexual predator registers in person at the sheriff’s office as provided in this subparagraph in any of the following information related to the sexual predator must be reported as provided in paragraphs (g), (i), and (j): permanent, temporary, or transient residence; name; electronic mail addresses; Internet identifiers and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name; home and cellular telephone numbers; employment information; and status at an institution of higher education.b. If the sexual predator’s place of residence is a motor vehicle, trailer, mobile home, or manufactured home, as those terms are defined in chapter 320, the sexual predator shall also provide to the department written notice of the vehicle identification number (VIN); the license tag number; the registration number; and a description, including color scheme, of the motor vehicle, trailer, mobile home, or manufactured home. If a sexual predator’s place of residence is a vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat, as those terms are defined in chapter 327, the sexual predator shall also provide to the department written notice of the hull identification number; the manufacturer’s serial number; the name of the vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat; the registration number of the vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat; and a description, including color scheme, of the vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat.c. If the sexual predator is enrolled or employed, whether for compensation or as a volunteer, at an institution of higher education in this state, the sexual predator shall also provide to the department the name, address, and county of each institution, including each campus attended, and the sexual predator’s enrollment, volunteer, or employment status. The sheriff, the Department of Corrections, or the Department of Juvenile Justice shall promptly notify each institution of higher education of the sexual predator’s presence and any change in the sexual predator’s enrollment, volunteer, or employment status.d. A sexual predator shall report to the department through the department’s online system or in person to the sheriff’s office within 48 hours after any change in vehicles owned to report those vehicle information changes. A sexual predator who is under the supervision of the Department of Corrections, or under the supervision of the Department of Juvenile Justice shall report in person to the sheriff’s office within 48 hours after any change in vehicles owned to report those vehicle information changes.2. Any other information determined necessary by the department, including criminal and corrections records; nonprivileged personnel and treatment records; and evidentiary genetic markers when available.(b) If the sexual predator is in the custody or control of, or under the supervision of, the Department of Corrections, or is in the custody of a contractor-operated correctional facility, the sexual predator shall register with the Department of Corrections. A sexual predator who is under the supervision of the Department of Corrections but who is not incarcerated shall register with the Department of Corrections within 3 business days after the court finds the offender to be a sexual predator. The Department of Corrections shall provide to the department registration information and the location of, and local telephone number for, any Department of Corrections office that is responsible for supervising the sexual predator. In addition, the Department of Corrections shall notify the department if the sexual predator escapes or absconds from custody or supervision or if the sexual predator dies.(c) If the sexual predator is in the custody of a local jail, the custodian of the local jail shall register the sexual predator within 3 business days after intake of the sexual predator for any reason and upon release, and shall forward the registration information to the department. The custodian of the local jail shall also take a digitized photograph of the sexual predator while the sexual predator remains in custody and shall provide the digitized photograph to the department. The custodian shall notify the department if the sexual predator escapes from custody or dies.(d) If the sexual predator is under federal supervision, the federal agency responsible for supervising the sexual predator may forward to the department any information regarding the sexual predator which is consistent with the information provided by the Department of Corrections under this section, and may indicate whether use of the information is restricted to law enforcement purposes only or may be used by the department for purposes of public notification.(e)1. If the sexual predator is not in the custody or control of, or under the supervision of, the Department of Corrections or is not in the custody of a contractor-operated correctional facility, the sexual predator shall register in person:a. At the sheriff’s office in the county where he or she establishes or maintains a residence within 48 hours after establishing or maintaining a residence in this state; andb. At the sheriff’s office in the county where he or she was designated a sexual predator by the court within 48 hours after such finding is made.2. Any change that occurs after the sexual predator registers in person at the sheriff’s office as provided in subparagraph 1. in any of the following information related to the sexual predator must be reported as provided in paragraphs (g), (i), and (j): permanent, temporary, or transient residence; name; vehicles owned; electronic mail addresses; Internet identifiers and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name; home and cellular telephone numbers; employment information; and change in status at an institution of higher education. When a sexual predator registers with the sheriff’s office, the sheriff shall take a photograph, a set of fingerprints, and palm prints of the sexual predator and forward the photographs, palm prints, and fingerprints to the department, along with the information that the sexual predator is required to provide pursuant to this section.(f) Within 48 hours after the registration required under paragraph (a) or paragraph (e), a sexual predator who is not incarcerated and who resides in the community, including a sexual predator under the supervision of the Department of Corrections, shall report in person at a driver license office of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and shall present proof of registration unless a driver license or an identification card that complies with the requirements of s. 322.141(3) was previously secured or updated under s. 944.607. At the driver license office the sexual predator shall:1. If otherwise qualified, secure a Florida driver license, renew a Florida driver license, or secure an identification card. The sexual predator shall identify himself or herself as a sexual predator who is required to comply with this section, provide his or her place of permanent, temporary, or transient residence, including a rural route address and a post office box, and submit to the taking of a photograph for use in issuing a driver license, a renewed license, or an identification card, and for use by the department in maintaining current records of sexual predators. A post office box may not be provided in lieu of a physical residential address. If the sexual predator’s place of residence is a motor vehicle, trailer, mobile home, or manufactured home, as those terms are defined in chapter 320, the sexual predator shall also provide to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles the vehicle identification number (VIN); the license tag number; the registration number; and a description, including color scheme, of the motor vehicle, trailer, mobile home, or manufactured home. If a sexual predator’s place of residence is a vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat, as those terms are defined in chapter 327, the sexual predator shall also provide to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles the hull identification number; the manufacturer’s serial number; the name of the vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat; the registration number of the vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat; and a description, including color scheme, of the vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat.2. Pay the costs assessed by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for issuing or renewing a driver license or an identification card as required by this section. The driver license or identification card issued to the sexual predator must comply with s. 322.141(3).3. Provide, upon request, any additional information necessary to confirm the identity of the sexual predator, including a set of fingerprints.(g)1.a. Each time a sexual predator’s driver license or identification card is subject to renewal, and, without regard to the status of the sexual predator’s driver license or identification card, within 48 hours after any change of the sexual predator’s residence or change in the sexual predator’s name by reason of marriage or other legal process, the sexual predator shall report in person to a driver license office and is subject to the requirements specified in paragraph (f). The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shall forward to the department and to the Department of Corrections all photographs and information provided by sexual predators. Notwithstanding the restrictions set forth in s. 322.142, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles may release a reproduction of a color-photograph or digital-image license to the Department of Law Enforcement for purposes of public notification of sexual predators as provided in this section. A sexual predator who is unable to secure or update a driver license or an identification card with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles as provided in paragraph (f) and this paragraph shall report any change in the sexual predator’s permanent, temporary, or transient residence or change in the sexual predator’s name by reason of marriage or other legal process within 48 hours after the change in person to the sheriff’s office in the county where the sexual predator resides or is located. The reporting requirements under this sub-subparagraph do not negate the requirement for a sexual predator to obtain a Florida driver license or identification card as required by this section. This sub-subparagraph does not apply to an in-state travel residence.b. A sexual predator shall report an in-state travel residence within 48 hours after establishing the residence. The report shall be made through the department’s online system; in person at the sheriff’s office in the county in which the sexual predator is located; in person at the Department of Corrections if the sexual predator is in the custody or control of, or under the supervision of, the Department of Corrections; or in person at the Department of Juvenile Justice if the sexual predator is in the custody or control of, or under the supervision of, the Department of Juvenile Justice.2.a. A sexual predator who vacates a permanent, temporary, or transient residence and fails to establish or maintain another permanent, temporary, or transient residence shall, within 48 hours after vacating the permanent, temporary, or transient residence, report in person to the sheriff’s office of the county in which he or she is located. The sexual predator shall specify the date upon which he or she intends to or did vacate such residence. The sexual predator shall provide or update all of the registration information required under paragraph (a). The sexual predator shall provide an address for the residence or other place where he or she is or will be located during the time in which he or she fails to establish or maintain a permanent or temporary residence.b. A sexual predator shall report in person at the sheriff’s office in the county in which he or she is located within 48 hours after establishing a transient residence and thereafter must report in person every 30 days to the sheriff’s office in the county in which he or she is located while maintaining a transient residence. The sexual predator must provide the addresses and locations where he or she maintains a transient residence. Each sheriff’s office shall report transient residence information in a manner prescribed by the department and provide notice to transient registrants to report transient residence information as required in this sub-subparagraph. Reporting to the sheriff’s office as required by this sub-subparagraph does not exempt registrants from any reregistration requirement. The sheriff may coordinate and enter into agreements with police departments and other governmental entities to facilitate additional reporting sites for transient residence registration required in this sub-subparagraph. The sheriff’s office shall electronically submit to and update with the department all such information within 2 business days after the sexual predator provides it to the sheriff’s office.3. A sexual predator who remains at a permanent, temporary, or transient residence after reporting his or her intent to vacate such residence shall, within 48 hours after the date upon which the sexual predator indicated he or she would or did vacate such residence, report in person to the sheriff’s office to which he or she reported pursuant to subparagraph 2. for the purpose of reporting his or her address at such residence. When the sheriff receives the report, the sheriff shall promptly convey the information to the department. A sexual predator who makes a report as required under subparagraph 2. but fails to make a report as required under this subparagraph commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.4. The failure of a sexual predator who maintains a transient residence to report in person to the sheriff’s office every 30 days as required by sub-subparagraph 2.b. is punishable as provided in subsection (10).5.a. A sexual predator shall register all electronic mail addresses and Internet identifiers, and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name, with the department through the department’s online system or in person at the sheriff’s office within 48 hours after using such electronic mail addresses or Internet identifiers. If the sexual predator is in the custody or control, or under the supervision, of the Department of Corrections, he or she must report all electronic mail addresses and Internet identifiers, and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name, to the Department of Corrections before using such electronic mail addresses or Internet identifiers. If the sexual predator is in the custody or control, or under the supervision, of the Department of Juvenile Justice, he or she must report all electronic mail addresses and Internet identifiers, and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name, to the Department of Juvenile Justice before using such electronic mail addresses or Internet identifiers.b. A sexual predator shall register all changes to home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers, including added and deleted numbers, all changes to employment information, including the creation of a new business if self-employed, and all changes in status related to enrollment, volunteering, or employment at institutions of higher education, through the department’s online system; in person at the sheriff’s office; in person at the Department of Corrections if the sexual predator is in the custody or control, or under the supervision, of the Department of Corrections; or in person at the Department of Juvenile Justice if the sexual predator is in the custody or control, or under the supervision, of the Department of Juvenile Justice. All changes required to be reported in this sub-subparagraph shall be reported within 48 hours after the change.c. The department shall establish an online system through which sexual predators may securely access, submit, and update all changes in status to in-state travel residences; all vehicles owned; electronic mail addresses; Internet identifiers and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name; home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers; employment information; and institution of higher education information.(h) The department shall notify the sheriff and the state attorney of the county and, if applicable, the police chief of the municipality, where the sexual predator maintains a residence.(i) A sexual predator who intends to establish a permanent, temporary, or transient residence in another state or jurisdiction other than the State of Florida shall report in person to the sheriff of the county of current residence at least 48 hours before the date he or she intends to leave this state to establish residence in another state or jurisdiction or at least 21 days before the date he or she intends to travel outside of the United States. Any travel that is not known by the sexual predator 48 hours before he or she intends to establish a residence in another state or jurisdiction, or 21 days before the departure date for travel outside of the United States, must be reported to the sheriff’s office as soon as possible before departure. The sexual predator shall provide to the sheriff the address, municipality, county, state, and country of intended residence. For international travel, the sexual predator shall also provide travel information, including, but not limited to, expected departure and return dates, flight number, airport of departure, cruise port of departure, or any other means of intended travel. The sheriff shall promptly provide to the department the information received from the sexual predator. The department shall notify the statewide law enforcement agency, or a comparable agency, in the intended state, jurisdiction, or country of residence or the intended country of travel of the sexual predator’s intended residence or intended travel. The failure of a sexual predator to provide his or her intended place of residence or intended travel is punishable as provided in subsection (10).(j) A sexual predator who indicates his or her intent to establish a permanent, temporary, or transient residence in another state, a jurisdiction other than the State of Florida, or intent to travel to another country, and later decides to remain in this state shall, within 48 hours after the date upon which the sexual predator indicated he or she would leave this state, report in person to the sheriff’s office to which the sexual predator reported the intended change of residence or intended international travel, and report his or her intent to remain in this state. If the sheriff is notified by the sexual predator that he or she intends to remain in this state, the sheriff shall promptly report this information to the department. A sexual predator who reports his or her intent to establish a permanent, temporary, or transient residence in another state, a jurisdiction other than the State of Florida, or intent to travel to another country, but who remains in this state without reporting to the sheriff in the manner required by this paragraph, commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.(k)1. The department is responsible for the online maintenance of current information regarding each registered sexual predator. The department shall maintain hotline access for state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies to obtain instantaneous locator file and offender characteristics information on all released registered sexual predators for purposes of monitoring, tracking, and prosecution. The photograph, palm prints, and fingerprints do not have to be stored in a computerized format.2. The department’s sexual predator registration list, containing the information described in subparagraph (a)1., is a public record, unless otherwise made exempt or confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. The department may disseminate this public information by any means deemed appropriate, including operating a toll-free telephone number for this purpose. When the department provides information regarding a registered sexual predator to the public, department personnel shall advise the person making the inquiry that positive identification of a person believed to be a sexual predator cannot be established unless a fingerprint comparison is made, and that it is illegal to use public information regarding a registered sexual predator to facilitate the commission of a crime.3. The department shall adopt guidelines as necessary regarding the registration of sexual predators and the dissemination of information regarding sexual predators as required by this section.(l) A sexual predator shall maintain registration with the department for the duration of his or her life, unless the sexual predator has received a full pardon or has had a conviction set aside in a postconviction proceeding for any offense that met the criteria for the sexual predator designation.
(7) COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC NOTIFICATION.—(a) Law enforcement agencies must inform members of the community and the public of a sexual predator’s presence. Upon notification of the presence of a sexual predator, the sheriff of the county or the chief of police of the municipality where the sexual predator establishes or maintains a permanent or temporary residence shall notify members of the community and the public of the presence of the sexual predator in a manner deemed appropriate by the sheriff or the chief of police. Within 48 hours after receiving notification of the presence of a sexual predator, the sheriff of the county or the chief of police of the municipality where the sexual predator temporarily or permanently resides shall notify each licensed child care facility, elementary school, middle school, and high school within a 1-mile radius of the temporary or permanent residence of the sexual predator of the presence of the sexual predator. Information provided to members of the community and the public regarding a sexual predator must include:1. The name of the sexual predator;2. A description of the sexual predator, including a photograph;3. The sexual predator’s current permanent, temporary, and transient addresses, and descriptions of registered locations that have no specific street address, including the name of the county or municipality if known;4. The circumstances of the sexual predator’s offense or offenses; and5. Whether the victim of the sexual predator’s offense or offenses was, at the time of the offense, a minor or an adult.This paragraph does not authorize the release of the name of any victim of the sexual predator.(b) The sheriff or the police chief may coordinate the community and public notification efforts with the department. Statewide notification to the public is authorized, as deemed appropriate by local law enforcement personnel and the department.(c) The department shall notify the public of all designated sexual predators through the Internet. The Internet notice shall include the information required by paragraph (a).(d) The department shall adopt a protocol to assist law enforcement agencies in their efforts to notify the community and the public of the presence of sexual predators.
(8) VERIFICATION.—The department and the Department of Corrections shall implement a system for verifying the addresses of sexual predators. The system must be consistent with the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 and any other federal standards applicable to such verification or required to be met as a condition for the receipt of federal funds by the state. The Department of Corrections shall verify the addresses of sexual predators who are not incarcerated but who reside in the community under the supervision of the Department of Corrections and shall report to the department any failure by a sexual predator to comply with registration requirements. County and local law enforcement agencies, in conjunction with the department, shall verify the addresses of sexual predators who are not under the care, custody, control, or supervision of the Department of Corrections at least four times per calendar year, and may verify the addresses of sexual predators who are under the care, custody, control, or supervision of the Department of Corrections. Local law enforcement agencies shall report to the department any failure by a sexual predator to comply with registration requirements.(a) A sexual predator shall report in person each year during the month of the sexual predator’s birthday and during every third month thereafter to the sheriff’s office in the county in which he or she resides or is otherwise located to reregister. The sheriff’s office may determine the appropriate times and days for reporting by the sexual predator, which must be consistent with the reporting requirements of this paragraph. Reregistration must include any changes to the following information:1. Name; social security number; age; race; sex; date of birth; height; weight; tattoos or other identifying marks; hair and eye color; address of any permanent residence and address of any current temporary residence, within this state or out of state, including a rural route address and a post office box; if he or she has no permanent or temporary address, any transient residence within this state including the address, location or description of the transient residences, and dates of any current or known future temporary residence within this state or out of state; all electronic mail addresses; all Internet identifiers and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name; all home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers; employment information, including occupation, business name, employment address, and telephone number; the make, model, color, vehicle identification number (VIN), and license tag number of all vehicles owned; fingerprints; palm prints; and photograph. A post office box may not be provided in lieu of a physical residential address. The sexual predator shall also produce his or her passport, if he or she has a passport, and, if he or she is an alien, shall produce or provide information about documents establishing his or her immigration status. The sexual predator shall also provide information about any professional licenses he or she has.2. If the sexual predator is enrolled or employed, whether for compensation or as a volunteer, at an institution of higher education in this state, the sexual predator shall also provide to the department the name, address, and county of each institution, including each campus attended, and the sexual predator’s enrollment, volunteer, or employment status.3. If the sexual predator’s place of residence is a motor vehicle, trailer, mobile home, or manufactured home, as those terms are defined in chapter 320, the sexual predator shall also provide the vehicle identification number (VIN); the license tag number; the registration number; and a description, including color scheme, of the motor vehicle, trailer, mobile home, or manufactured home. If the sexual predator’s place of residence is a vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat, as those terms are defined in chapter 327, the sexual predator shall also provide the hull identification number; the manufacturer’s serial number; the name of the vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat; the registration number of the vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat; and a description, including color scheme, of the vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat.(b) The sheriff’s office shall electronically submit to and update with the department, in a manner prescribed by the department, all such information within 2 business days after the sexual predator provides it to the sheriff’s office.
(9) IMMUNITY.—The department, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, any law enforcement agency in this state, and the personnel of those departments; an elected or appointed official, public employee, or school administrator; or an employee, agency, or any individual or entity acting at the request or upon the direction of any law enforcement agency is immune from civil liability for damages for good faith compliance with the requirements of this section or for the release of information under this section, and shall be presumed to have acted in good faith in compiling, recording, reporting, or releasing the information. The presumption of good faith is not overcome if a technical or clerical error is made by the department, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the personnel of those departments, or any individual or entity acting at the request or upon the direction of any of those departments in compiling or providing information, or if information is incomplete or incorrect because a sexual predator fails to report or falsely reports his or her current place of permanent or temporary residence.
(10) PENALTIES.—(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided, a sexual predator who fails to register; who fails, after registration, to maintain, acquire, or renew a driver license or an identification card; who fails to provide required location information or change-of-name information; who fails to provide electronic mail addresses, Internet identifiers, and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name; who fails to provide all home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers; who fails to report any changes to employment information, including the addition of new employment, termination of existing employment, and changes to the occupation, business name, employment address, and telephone number of previously reported employment; who fails to report any changes in status at an institution of higher education; who fails to report any changes to vehicles owned, including the addition of new vehicles and changes to the make, model, color, vehicle identification number (VIN), and license tag numbers of previously reported vehicles; who fails to make a required report in connection with vacating a permanent residence; who fails to reregister as required; who fails to respond to any address verification correspondence from the department or from county or local law enforcement agencies within 3 weeks after the date of the correspondence; who knowingly provides false registration information by act or omission; or who otherwise fails, by act or omission, to comply with the requirements of this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. Each instance of a failure to register or report changes to the required information specified in this paragraph constitutes a separate offense.(b) A sexual predator who has been convicted of or found to have committed, or has pled nolo contendere or guilty to, regardless of adjudication, any violation, or attempted violation, of s. 787.01, s. 787.02, or s. 787.025(2)(c), where the victim is a minor; s. 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10); s. 794.05; former s. 796.03; former s. 796.035; s. 800.04; s. 827.071; s. 847.0133; s. 847.0135(5); s. 847.0145; or s. 985.701(1); or a violation of a similar law of another jurisdiction when the victim of the offense was a minor, and who works, whether for compensation or as a volunteer, at any business, school, child care facility, park, playground, or other place where children regularly congregate, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.(c) For a felony violation of this section, excluding paragraph (g), committed on or after July 1, 2018, if the court does not impose a prison sentence, the court shall impose a mandatory minimum term of community control, as defined in s. 948.001, as follows:1. For a first offense, a mandatory minimum term of 6 months with electronic monitoring.2. For a second offense, a mandatory minimum term of 1 year with electronic monitoring.3. For a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of 2 years with electronic monitoring.(d) Any person who misuses public records information relating to a sexual predator, as defined in this section, or a sexual offender, as defined in s. 943.0435 or s. 944.607, to secure a payment from such a predator or offender; who knowingly distributes or publishes false information relating to such a predator or offender which the person misrepresents as being public records information; or who materially alters public records information with the intent to misrepresent the information, including documents, summaries of public records information provided by law enforcement agencies, or public records information displayed by law enforcement agencies on websites or provided through other means of communication, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.(e) A sexual predator who commits any act or omission in violation of this section may be prosecuted for the act or omission in the county in which the act or omission was committed, in the county of the last registered address of the sexual predator, in the county in which the conviction occurred for the offense or offenses that meet the criteria for designating a person as a sexual predator, in the county where the sexual predator was released from incarceration, or in the county of the intended address of the sexual predator as reported by the sexual predator prior to his or her release from incarceration. In addition, a sexual predator may be prosecuted for any such act or omission in the county in which he or she was designated a sexual predator.(f) An arrest on charges of failure to register, the service of an information or a complaint for a violation of this section, or an arraignment on charges for a violation of this section constitutes actual notice of the duty to register when the predator has been provided and advised of his or her statutory obligation to register under subsection (6). A sexual predator’s failure to immediately register as required by this section following such arrest, service, or arraignment constitutes grounds for a subsequent charge of failure to register. A sexual predator charged with the crime of failure to register who asserts, or intends to assert, a lack of notice of the duty to register as a defense to a charge of failure to register shall immediately register as required by this section. A sexual predator who is charged with a subsequent failure to register may not assert the defense of a lack of notice of the duty to register. Registration following such arrest, service, or arraignment is not a defense and does not relieve the sexual predator of criminal liability for the failure to register.(g) Any person who has reason to believe that a sexual predator is not complying, or has not complied, with the requirements of this section and who, with the intent to assist the sexual predator in eluding a law enforcement agency that is seeking to find the sexual predator to question the sexual predator about, or to arrest the sexual predator for, his or her noncompliance with the requirements of this section:1. Withholds information from, or does not notify, the law enforcement agency about the sexual predator’s noncompliance with the requirements of this section, and, if known, the whereabouts of the sexual predator;2. Harbors, or attempts to harbor, or assists another person in harboring or attempting to harbor, the sexual predator;3. Conceals or attempts to conceal, or assists another person in concealing or attempting to conceal, the sexual predator; or4. Provides information to the law enforcement agency regarding the sexual predator which the person knows to be false information,commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. This paragraph does not apply if the sexual predator is incarcerated in or is in the custody of a state correctional facility, a contractor-operated correctional facility, a local jail, or a federal correctional facility.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is the Florida Sexual Predators Act a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: the Florida Sexual Predators Act ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Second Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 775.21.
Failure to register or comply with registration requirements: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 775.21(10)(a)) · Working with children after qualifying conviction: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 775.21(10)(b)) · Failure to report after indicating intent to remain in state after reporting intended move: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 775.21(6)(j)) · Failure to report presence after indicating intent to vacate but remaining at residence: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 775.21(6)(g)3.) · Misuse of public registry information: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 775.21(10)(d)) · Assisting a noncompliant sexual predator elude law enforcement: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 775.21(10)(g))
Which Florida statute covers the Florida Sexual Predators Act?
The Florida Sexual Predators Act is governed by Fla. Stat. § 775.21 (The Florida Sexual Predators Act).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.