SESSION WATCH
Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-18

No. CS/HB 245

Child Pornography Terminology
Send via email
SPONSOR
Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Baker
FILED BY
Jessica Baker — District 17, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026

Filed under Criminal Justice.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Child Pornography Terminology; Replaces the term "child pornography" with the term "child sexual abuse material"; provides legislative intent and applicability, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Renames child pornography to child sexual abuse material across 21 statutes.

The bill replaces the term "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse material" in 21 Florida statutes. It explicitly states this change does not alter the definition or elements of any offense.

A new section, 847.0015, mandates that prior judicial interpretations of child pornography laws must apply identically to the new terminology. This ensures legal continuity for existing cases and future prosecutions.

The change affects criminal penalties, civil remedies, and victim compensation. For example, victims of child sexual abuse material may still receive compensation for psychological injury under the updated definitions.

The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026. It standardizes terminology across criminal, civil, and administrative laws to emphasize the victim's status without changing substantive legal requirements.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 New Legislative Intent and Applicability Section majors. 847.0015(1)

AICreates a new statute that mandates the use of the term "child sexual abuse material" across the Florida Statutes and requires courts to apply prior case law interpreting "child pornography" to the new term.

“It is the intent of the Legislature to change the term "child pornography" to the term "child sexual abuse material" throughout the Florida Statutes.” bill text, line 20 →
§ 2 Terminology Replacement in Criminal Offenses majors. 847.001(3)

AIReplaces "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse material" in the definitions and penalties for offenses involving the production, possession, promotion, and transmission of such material.

“Child sexual abuse material pornography means: 1. Any image depicting a minor engaged in sexual conduct; or 2. Any image that has been created, altered, adapted, or...”
§ 3 Terminology Replacement in Civil and Administrative Provisions moderates. 847.01357(1)

AIUpdates the term "child pornography" to "child sexual abuse material" in civil remedy, immunity, and victim compensation statutes, ensuring consistent terminology for legal proceedings and victim support.

“Any person who, while under the age of 18, was a victim of a sexual abuse crime listed in chapter 794, chapter 800, chapter 827, or chapter 847, where any portion of such abuse was” bill text, line 349 →
§ 4 Terminology Replacement in Judicial and Records Provisions moderates. 92.56(3)

AIUpdates the term "child pornography" to "child sexual abuse material" in statutes governing court records, pretrial release, and criminal history checks, ensuring consistent terminology in judicial proceedings.

“any crime involving the production, possession, or promotion of child sexual abuse material pornography as described in chapter 847, in all court records and records of” bill text, line 55 →
TIMELINE
4/1/2026
Chapter No. 2026-18 ; Companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 1159...
3/31/2026
Approved by Governor
3/30/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/12/2026
Ordered engrossed, then enrolled
3/12/2026
CS passed as amended; YEAS 110, NAYS 0
3/12/2026
Amendment 963706 Concur
3/12/2026
Added to Senate Message List
3/10/2026
In Messages
3/10/2026
CS passed as amended; YEAS 37 NAYS 1 -SJ 747
3/10/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 747
3/10/2026
Amendment(s) adopted (963706) -SJ 746
3/10/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 746
3/5/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/10/26
3/4/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/3/2026
Favorable by- Rules; YEAS 21 NAYS 1
2/26/2026
On Committee agenda-- Rules, 03/03/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building
2/18/2026
Received
2/18/2026
Referred to Rules
2/17/2026
In Messages
2/17/2026
CS passed; YEAS 109, NAYS 0
2/17/2026
Read 3rd time
2/17/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
2/17/2026
Read 2nd time
2/10/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/17/2026)
2/3/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/3/2026
Bill released to House Calendar
2/3/2026
Reported out of Judiciary Committee
2/3/2026
Favorable by Judiciary Committee
1/30/2026
Added to Judiciary Committee agenda
1/27/2026
Now in Judiciary Committee
1/27/2026
Reported out of Health & Human Services Committee
1/27/2026
Favorable by Health & Human Services Committee
1/23/2026
Added to Health & Human Services Committee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
11/19/2025
Now in Health & Human Services Committee
11/19/2025
Referred to Judiciary Committee
11/19/2025
Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
11/18/2025
CS Filed
11/18/2025
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
11/18/2025
Reported out of Criminal Justice Subcommittee
11/18/2025
Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice Subcommittee
11/10/2025
Added to Criminal Justice Subcommittee agenda
10/28/2025
Now in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
10/28/2025
Referred to Judiciary Committee
10/28/2025
Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
10/28/2025
Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee
10/22/2025
Filed
42 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 847.0015
+158 / −0
s. 39.0138
+3 / −1
s. 92.56
+3 / −1
s. 92.561
+21 / −7
s. 435.07
+6 / −2
s. 456.074
+3 / −1
STAFF ANALYSES
1 MORE →