The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Criminal Justice
BILL: SB 1654
INTRODUCER: Senator Martin
SUBJECT: Registration of Sexual Predators and Sexual Offenders
DATE: March 17, 2025
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Vaughan Stokes CJ Pre-meeting
2. ACJ
3. FP
I. Summary:
SB 1654 amends both ss. 775.21 (sexual predators), and 943.0435, F.S. (sexual offenders), to:
• Include an in-state travel residence as a type of temporary residence. In-state travel residence
means a temporary residence in Florida when the person already has an existing permanent,
temporary, or transient residence in Florida.
• Provide that an in-state travel residence be reported within 48 hours of establishment of the
residence.
• Require that specified employment information be registered through the sheriff’s office.
• Specify that registrants must register the creation of a new business, including self-
employment online.
• Remove language requiring proof of reporting specified changes to Department of Highway
Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) in certain instances when such information is reported
to the sheriff’s office.
• Provide that not reporting changes to employment including the addition of new
employment, termination of existing employment, and changes to the occupation, business
name, employment address and phone number of previously reported employment
information constitutes a violation for failure to register, which is a third degree felony.
1
The bill amends s. 775.21, F.S., by clarifying definition of “permanent residence”
2
to mean a
person’s home or where a person primarily lives.
The bill amends s. 775.21, F.S., to specify that a sexual predator who is in the custody, control or
supervision with the Department of Corrections (DOC) or Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)
1
A third degree felony is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. ss. 775.082, F.S., 775.083, F.S., or
775.084, F.S.
2
Section 775.21(2)(k), F.S.
REVISED: BILL: SB 1654 Page 2
must report changes to vehicle ownership within 48 hours after such change to the sheriff’s
office instead of reporting these changes online or to the DOC or the DJJ.
The bill further amends s. 775.21, F.S., to specify that county and local law enforcement must
conduct address verifications of sexual predators not on supervision with the DOC at least four
times per calendar year.
The bill amends 943.0435, F.S. to specify that if a sexual offender’s place of residence is a
vessel, as outlined in statute, the sexual offender must provide the information to the FDLE
through the sheriff’s office.
The bill further amends s. 943.0435, F.S, to specify that county and local law enforcement must
conduct address verifications of sexual offenders not on supervision at least one time per
calendar year.
The bill takes effect on October 1, 2025
II. Present Situation:
Sexual Predators and Offenders
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is the state agency responsible for
Florida’s sex offender registry. The information contained in the sex offender registry is reported
directly to the FDLE by the DOC, the DHSMV, and law enforcement officials.
3
Florida’s sexual
offender and sexual predator registration laws were implemented in 1993 and 1997.
4
The sex
offender registry database is a statewide system that collects and disseminates sex offender
information to the public and law enforcement agencies through the Sexual Offender Predator
System (SOPS). The designation of a person as a sexual offender is not a sentence or a
punishment but is simply the status of the offender which is the result of a conviction for having
committed certain crimes.
5
Florida’s Sexual Predator and Sexual Offender Registration Laws
Florida law requires registration of any person who has been convicted or adjudicated delinquent
of a specified sex offense or offenses and who meets other statutory criteria that qualify the
person for designation as a sexual predator or classification as a sexual offender.
6
The
registration laws also require reregistration and provide for public and community notification of
certain information about sexual predators and sexual offenders. The laws span several different
chapters and numerous statutes
7
and are implemented through the combined efforts of the FDLE,
all Florida sheriffs, the DOC, the DJJ, the DHSMV, and the Department of Children and
Families.
3
Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Sexual Offender and Predator System, available at
https://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/sops/home.jsf (last visited on March 11, 2025).
4
Sections 775.21 and 943.0435, F.S.
5
State v. McKenzie, 331 So.3d 666 (Fla. 2021).
6
Sections 775.21 and 943.0435, F.S.
7
Sections 775.21-775.25, 943.043-943.0437, 944.606, 944.607, and 985.481-985.4815, F.S. BILL: SB 1654 Page 3
A person is designated as a sexual predator by a court if the person:
• Has been convicted of a qualifying capital, life, or first degree felony sex offense committed
on or after October 1, 1993;
8
• Has been convicted of a qualifying sex offense committed on or after October 1, 1993, and
has a prior conviction for a qualifying sex offense; or
• Was found to be a sexually violent predator in a civil commitment proceeding.
9
A person is classified as a sexual offender if the person:
• Has been convicted of a qualifying sex offense and has been released on or after October 1,
1997, from the sanction imposed for that offense;
• Establishes or maintains a Florida residence and is subject to registration or community or
public notification in another state or jurisdiction or is in the custody or control of, or under
the supervision of, another state or jurisdiction as a result of a conviction for a qualifying sex
offense; or
• On or after July 1, 2007, has been adjudicated delinquent of a qualifying sexual battery or
lewd offense committed when the juvenile was 14 years of age or older.
10
Requirements for registration and reregistration are similar for sexual predators and sexual
offenders, but the frequency of reregistration may differ.
11
Registration requirements may also
differ based on a special status, e.g., the sexual predator or sexual offender is in the DOC’s
control or custody, under the DOC’s or the DJJ’s supervision, or in a residential commitment
program under the DJJ.
Sexual predators and sexual offenders are required to report at registration and reregistration
certain information, including but not limited to, physical characteristics, relevant sex offense
history, and information on residence, vehicles/vessels owned, live-aboard vessel or houseboat,
all changes in vehicles owned and travel. The FDLE, through its agency website, provides a
searchable database that includes some of this information.
12
Further, local law enforcement
agencies may also provide access to this information, such as providing a link to the state public
registry webpage.
8
Examples of qualifying sex offenses are sexual battery by an adult on a child under 12 years of age (s. 794.011(2)(a), F.S.)
and lewd battery by an adult on a child 12 years of age or older but under 16 years of age (s. 800.04(4)(a), F.S.).
9
Section 775.21(4) and (5), F.S. The Jimmy Ryce Involuntary Civil Commitment for Sexually Violent Predators’ Treatment
and Care Act, part V, ch. 394, F.S., provides for the civil confinement of a group of sexual offenders who, due to their
criminal history and the presence of mental abnormality, are found likely to engage in future acts of sexual violence if they
are not confined in a secure facility for long-term control, care, and treatment.
10
Sections 943.0435(1)(h) and 985.4815(1)(h), F.S. Sections 944.606(1)(f) and 944.607(1)(f), F.S., which address sexual
offenders in the custody of or under the DOC’s supervision, also define the term “sexual offender.”
11
All sexual predators, sexual offenders convicted for offenses specified in s. 943.0435(14)(b), F.S., and juvenile sexual
offenders required to register per s. 943.0435(1)(h)1.d., F.S., for certain offenses must reregister four times per year (on the
birth month of the sexual predator or qualifying sexual offender and every third month thereafter). Sections 775.21(8)(a),
943.0435(14)(b), and 985.4815(13)(a), F.S. All other sexual offenders are required to reregister two times per year (on the
birth month of the qualifying sexual offender and during the sixth month following the sexual offender’s birth month).
Section 943.0435(14)(a), F.S.
12
The FDLE is the central repository for registration information. The department also maintains the state public registry and
ensures Florida’s compliance with federal laws. The Florida sheriffs handle in-person registration and reregistration. The
FDLE maintains a database that allows members of the public to search for sexual offenders and sexual predators through a
variety of search options, including name, neighborhood, and enrollment, employment, or volunteer status at an institute of
higher education. See http://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/Search.jsp (last visited on March 11, 2025). BILL: SB 1654 Page 4
FDLE’s Online System
The FDLE is required to establish an online system through which sexual predators and sexual
offenders may securely access, submit, and update all 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.
13
A sexual predator or sexual offender must register all change of name information, electronic
mail addresses and Internet identifiers, and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website
homepage or application software name, with the FDLE through the FDLE’s online system or in
person at the sheriff’s office within 48 hours after using such electronic mail addresses and
Internet identifiers. If the sexual predator or sexual offender is in the custody or control, or under
the supervision, of the DOC, 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 DOC before using such electronic mail addresses or Internet identifiers. If
the sexual predator or sexual offender is in the custody or control, or under the supervision, of
the DJJ, 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 DJJ
before using such electronic mail addresses or Internet identifiers.
14
A sexual predator or sexual offender must register all changes to home telephone numbers and
cellular telephone numbers, including added and deleted numbers, all changes to employment
information, and all changes in status related to enrollment, volunteering, or employment at
institutions of higher education in the same manner previously described.
15
Currently, the law specifies that a sexual predator and sexual offender may report all changes to
vehicles owned through the FDLE’s online system.
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee division, issued
a March 2024 which struck down a limited portion of Florida’s sexual offender registration law
that requires a sexual offender to report in person to the Department of Highway Safety and
Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) any change of “permanent residence” or “temporary residence,” as
defined in s. 775.21(2)(k) and (n), F.S., that does not require the DHSMV to issue a replacement
driver license or state identification card with the offender’s new address.
16
Under this order, a sexual offender is only required to report in-person to the DHSMV for a
change in “permanent residence” or “temporary residence” that is either a change of address of
the kind that all holders of driver licenses or identification cards must report, a change of the
registrant’s home, or a change of the place where the registrant habitually lives. Residence
changes under s. 943.0435(4)(a), F.S., that are not listed above, such as “in-state travel,” are
required only to be reported to the sheriff’s office, and a sexual offender is not required to
13
Sections 775.21(6)(g)5.c. and 943.0435(4)(e)3., F.S.
14
Sections 775.21(6)(g)5.a. and 943.0435(4)(e)1., F.S.
15
Sections 775.21(6)(g)5.b. and 943.0435(4)(e)2., F.S.
16
United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Case No. 4:21cv85-RH-MJF (March 2024). BILL: SB 1654 Page 5
confirm to the sheriff’s office that they have met the previous requirement to report to DHSMV.
The report to the sheriff’s office need not be in person. Additionally, the order requires the FDLE
to make available a method by which sexual offenders may report online or through similarly
accessible means any change of “permanent residence” or “temporary residence,” as required by
s. 943.0435(4)(a), F.S., that is not a change of address that would require DHSMV to issue a
replacement driver license or state identification card for that address.
17
Currently, all temporary address changes, including in-state travel, are reported in person to
DHSMV and, if unable to report to DHSMV, also to the sheriff’s office.
1819
The FDLE has implemented a mechanism in which sexual offenders can report in-state travel
online, but this is currently not allowed under Florida’s registration laws, s. 943.0435, F.S.
(sexual offenders) and s. 775.21, F.S. (sexual predators).
20
Current registration laws require the reporting of employment information, but only the address
is required. There is currently no set requirement for address verifications.
21
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
Section 775.21, F.S., The Florida Sexual Predators Act
The bill amends s. 775.21, F.S., to:
• Clarify the definition of “permanent residence”
22
to mean a person’s home or where a person
primarily lives.
• Amend the definition of “temporary residence,”
23
to create an in-state travel residence as a
type of temporary residence. In-state travel residence means a temporary residence in Florida
when the person already has an existing permanent, temporary, or transient residence in
Florida.
• Require that in-state travel residences must be reported either online or in person with the
sheriff’s office.
• Require individuals on supervision with the DOC or the DJJ to report in-state travel
residences in person to the DOC or the DJJ.
• Specify that employment information required to be registered includes occupation, business
name, employment address and phone number. The bill adds language to ensure that
registrants must register the creation of a new business, including self-employment.
• Remove language regarding proof of reporting changes to the DHSMV and the sheriff’s
office for all residence changes.
17
United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Case No. 4:21cv85-RH-MJF (March 2024).
18
Section 775.21(6), F.S.
19
Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Agency Bill Analysis SB 165 Registration of Sexual Offenders and Sexual
Predators (on file with the Senate Criminal Justice Committee)
20
Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Notice to Registrants, available at https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/SOPS/2024-
Notice-to-Registrants-%e2%80%93-English (last visited March 11, 2025).
21
Sections 775.21(8)(a)1., and 943.0435(2)2., F.S.
22
Section 775.21(2)(k), F.S.
23
Section 775.21(2)(n), F.S. BILL: SB 1654 Page 6
• Specify that a sexual predator who is in the custody, control or supervision with the DOC or
the DJJ must report changes to vehicles ownership within 48 hours after such change to the
sheriff’s office instead of reporting these changes online or to the DOC or the DJJ.
• Specify that county and local law enforcement must conduct address verifications of sexual
predators not on supervision at least four times per calendar year to ensure the accuracy of
the reported information. The added language conforms with the FDLE’s current
recommendations to local law enforcement for address verifications.
• Provide that not reporting changes to employment including the addition of new
employment, termination of existing employment, and changes to the occupation, business
name, employment address and phone number of previously reported employment
information constitutes a violation for failure to register, which is a third degree felony.
24
Section 943.0435, F.S., Sexual Offenders Required to Register
The bill amends s. 775.21, F.S., to:
• Create an in-state travel residence as a type of temporary residence. In-state travel residence
means a temporary residence in Florida when the person already has an existing permanent,
temporary, or transient residence in Florida.
• Require that in-state travel residences must be reported either online or in person with the
sheriff’s office.
• Require individuals on supervision with the DOC or the DJJ to report in-state travel
residences in person to the DOC or the DJJ.
• Specify that employment information required to be registered includes occupation, business
name, employment address and phone number. The bill adds language to ensure that
registrants must register the creation of a new business, including self-employment.
• Specify that if the sexual offender’s place of residence is a vessel as outlined in statute the
sexual offender provide the information to the FDLE through the sheriff’s office.
• Remove language requiring proof of reporting specified changes to Department of Highway
Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) in certain instances when such information is reported
to the sheriff’s office.
• Specify that county or local law enforcement must conduct address verifications of sexual
offenders not on supervision at least one time per calendar year.
• Provide that not reporting changes to employment including the addition of new
employment, termination of existing employment, and changes to the occupation, business
name, employment address and phone number of previously reported employment
information constitutes a violation for failure to register, which is a third degree felony.
25
The bill takes effect on October 1, 2025.
24
A third degree felony is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. ss. 775.082, F.S., 775.083, F.S., or
775.084, F.S.
25
A third degree felony is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. ss. 775.082, F.S., 775.083, F.S., or
775.084, F.S. BILL: SB 1654 Page 7
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
The bill does not appear to require cities and counties to expend funds or limit their
authority to raise revenue or receive state-shared revenues as specified by Article VII, s.
18, of the State Constitution.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
The Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR) and the
Criminal Justice Impact Conference, which provides the final, official estimate of the
prison bed impact, if any, of legislation, has not yet reviewed the bill.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None. BILL: SB 1654 Page 8
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends the following sections of the Florida Statutes: 775.21, 943.0435
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.