THE BILL ITSELF
CS/HB 709
Internet Crimes Against Children Programs
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A bill to be entitled
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An act relating to Internet crimes against children
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programs; amending s. 943.0411, F.S.; defining terms;
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renaming the Online Sting Operations Grant Program
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created within the Department of Law Enforcement as
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the Internet Crimes Against Children Grant Program;
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revising the purpose of the grant program; revising
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the authorized uses for grant program funds; creating
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s. 943.0421, F.S.; providing a short title; providing
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legislative findings; defining the term "task force";
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creating the Internet Crimes Against Children Task
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Force Funding Program within the Department of Law
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Enforcement; specifying how program funds may be used;
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requiring specified percentage distribution of program
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moneys; authorizing the department to adopt rules;
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providing an effective date.
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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Section 1. Section 943.0411, Florida Statutes, is amended
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to read:
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943.0411 Internet Crimes Against Children Online Sting
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Operations Grant Program for local law enforcement affiliates
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agencies to protect children.—
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(1) As used in this section, the term:
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(a) "Affiliate" means a local law enforcement agency in
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this state which has a current memorandum of understanding with
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an established Internet crimes against children task force or
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which has been designated by the department as being in good
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standing.
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(b) "Good standing" means a local law enforcement agency
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in this state that receives CyberTips from one of the task
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forces and follows Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
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Program standards in its investigation of Internet crimes
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against children.
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(c) "Internet crimes against children task force" means an
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Internet crimes against children task force located in this
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state which is recognized by the United States Department of
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Justice.
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(2) There is created within the department the Internet
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Crimes Against Children Online Sting Operations Grant Program to
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award grants to local law enforcement affiliates agencies to
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support their work to combat online child exploitation and
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creation of sting operations to target individuals online
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preying upon children or attempting to do so.
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(3)(2) The department shall annually award to local law
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enforcement affiliates agencies any funds specifically
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appropriated for the grant program to cover expenses related to
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their work to combat Internet crimes against children. The funds
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may be awarded to cover overtime pay, travel, investigative or
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digital forensics training, hardware, or computers, electronics,
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software, and other related necessary supplies. Grants must be
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provided to local law enforcement agencies if funds are
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appropriated for that purpose by law. The total amount of grants
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awarded may not exceed funding appropriated for the grant
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program.
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(4)(3) The department may establish criteria and set
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specific time periods for the acceptance of applications and for
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the selection process for awarding grant funds.
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Section 2. Section 943.0421, Florida Statutes, is created
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to read:
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943.0421 Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
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Funding Program.—
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(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the "Florida
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Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Funding Program
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Act."
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(2) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.—The Legislature finds that the
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Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program administered
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by the United States Department of Justice helps state and local
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law enforcement agencies develop an effective response to
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technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and Internet
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crimes against children. This help encompasses forensic and
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investigative components, training and technical assistance,
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victim services, and community education. The program is a
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national network of 61 coordinated task forces representing over
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5,400 federal, state, and local law enforcement and
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prosecutorial agencies. The Legislature intends to create an
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account dedicated to combating Internet crimes against children,
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promoting education on Internet safety to minors and to the
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public, and rescuing child victims from abuse and exploitation.
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(3) DEFINITION.—The term "task force" means an Internet
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Crimes Against Children Task Force program located in this state
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which is recognized by the United States Department of Justice.
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(4) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.—The Internet Crimes Against
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Children Task Force Funding Program is created within the
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department to provide a stable funding source for the task
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forces.
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(a) Funding for the program shall consist of moneys
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appropriated by the Legislature. Program funds may be used only
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to support the administration and activities of law enforcement
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agencies in their efforts to combat Internet crimes against
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children, including the funding of personnel, overtime pay,
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training, travel, and technology purchases.
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(b) Moneys appropriated to the program must be distributed
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in the following amounts:
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1. Eighty percent divided equally among the task forces;
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and
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2. Twenty percent to the department to support its efforts
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in combating Internet crimes against children.
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(5) RULEMAKING.—The department may adopt rules to
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implement and administer this section.
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Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.