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Florida statute

Fla. Stat. § 800.101 — Offenses against students by authority figures

Current through 2025 Florida Statutes

Part of Chapter 800: Lewdness; Indecent Exposure, Florida Statutes.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Fla. Stat. § 800.101

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.

Fla. Stat. § 800.101Primary source, current through the 2025 Florida Statutes
(1) As used in this section, the term:(a) “Authority figure” means a person 18 years of age or older who is employed by, volunteering at, or under contract with a school, including school resource officers as provided in s. 1006.12.(b) “School” has the same meaning as provided in s. 1003.01 and includes a private school as defined in s. 1002.01, a voluntary prekindergarten education program as described in s. 1002.53(3), early learning programs, a public school as described in s. 402.3025(1), the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, and the Florida Virtual School established under s. 1002.37. The term does not include a facility dedicated exclusively to the education of adults.(c) “Student” means a person who is enrolled at a school. (2) An authority figure shall not solicit or engage in:(a) Sexual conduct;(b) A relationship of a romantic nature; or(c) Lewd conductwith a student. (3) A person who violates subsection (2) commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (4) Subsection (2) does not apply to conduct constituting an offense that is subject to reclassification under s. 775.0862. (5)(a) A person who is required to report a violation of subsection (2) and who knowingly or willfully fails to do so, or who knowingly or willfully prevents another person from doing so, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.(b) A person who knowingly or willfully submits false, inaccurate, or incomplete information while reporting a violation of subsection (2) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.(c) A person who knowingly or willfully coerces or threatens another person with the intent to alter his or her testimony or written report regarding a violation of subsection (2) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is offenses against students by authority figures a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?

It depends on the circumstances: offenses against students by authority figures ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Second Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 800.101.

Authority figure offense against student: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 800.101(3)) · Failure to report violation: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 800.101(5)(a)) · False reporting of violation: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 800.101(5)(b)) · Coercion or threats regarding reporting: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 800.101(5)(c))

Which Florida statute covers offenses against students by authority figures?

Offenses against students by authority figures is governed by Fla. Stat. § 800.101 (Offenses against students by authority figures).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.