SESSION WATCH
Became law SENATE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-95

No. CS/SB 590

Statute of Limitations Period for Violations Involving Required Reports Concerning Children
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SPONSOR
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Bradley
FILED BY
Jennifer Bradley — District 6, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026

Filed under Criminal Justice.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Statute of Limitations Period for Violations Involving Required Reports Concerning Children; Providing that the period of limitation for offenses related to specified required reports concerning children does not begin to run until a law enforcement agency is made aware of the violation, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Delays the start of the statute of limitations for child abuse reporting violations.

The statute of limitations for violating Florida's child abuse reporting law does not start until a law enforcement or other governmental agency learns of the violation.

This change applies to any offense that has not already been barred from prosecution by the bill's effective date of July 1, 2026.

The new rule excludes the specific institution where the violation occurred from the definition of the agency that triggers the clock.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Statute of Limitations Delay majors. 775.15(23)

AIThe statute of limitations for violations of s. 39.201 does not begin until a law enforcement or other governmental agency (excluding the institution where the violation occurred) is made aware of the violation.

“the applicable period of limitation does not begin to run until a law enforcement agency or other governmental agency, excluding any institution where the violation occurs, is made” bill text, line 17 →
§ 2 Retroactive Application majors. 775.15(23)

AIThe new limitation rule applies to any offense that is not otherwise barred from prosecution on or before July 1, 2026.

“This subsection applies to any offense that is not otherwise barred from prosecution on or before July 1, 2026.” bill text, line 21 →
TIMELINE
5/26/2026
Chapter No. 2026-95
5/22/2026
Approved by Governor
5/21/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/17/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/10/2026
CS passed; YEAS 111, NAYS 0
3/10/2026
Read 3rd time
3/10/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
3/10/2026
Read 2nd time
3/9/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
3/9/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/10/2026)
3/9/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
2/19/2026
In Messages
2/19/2026
Immediately certified -SJ 356
2/19/2026
CS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 340
2/19/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 340
2/19/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 340
2/11/2026
Retained on Special Order Calendar -SJ 299
2/9/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/11/26
2/3/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
2/3/2026
Favorable by- Rules; YEAS 23 NAYS 0
1/29/2026
On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/03/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building
1/22/2026
CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs read 1st time
1/22/2026
Now in Rules
1/21/2026
Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
1/20/2026
CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; YEAS 6 NAYS 0
1/15/2026
On Committee agenda-- Children, Families, and Elder Affairs,...
1/13/2026
Introduced
1/12/2026
Now in Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
1/12/2026
Favorable by Criminal Justice; YEAS 8 NAYS 0
1/5/2026
On Committee agenda-- Criminal Justice, 01/12/26, 1:30 pm, 37...
12/9/2025
Referred to Criminal Justice; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Rules
11/19/2025
Filed
26 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 775.15
+61 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES
2 MORE →