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FL H1159: Sexual Offenses

Effective Jul 1, 2026 Florida · 2026 session

Last verified Oct 12, 2026 · official bill text

H1159 · where it stands

All steps complete
  1. Introduced Complete
  2. Passed first chamber Complete
  3. Passed both chambers Complete
  4. Enacted Complete
  5. Effective Since Jul 1, 2026
What do these statuses mean?
Introduced
Filed in the legislature; may be waiting for a committee hearing.
Passed a chamber
Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action.
Enacted
Signed into law, or became law without a signature or over a veto.
Effective date
The date the law says it takes effect. Once it has passed, the page shows "Effective" and the date. A court order can still block a law; if we know of one, the summary says so.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

Florida's CS/CS/HB 1159 (Chapter 2026-20) amends s. 827.072, F.S., on generated child sexual abuse material (computer-created or altered images of a fictitious person who appears to be a minor in sexual conduct). Intentionally creating it becomes a second-degree felony (was third-degree), and transmitting it to another person becomes a new second-degree felony; possession or intentional viewing stays a third-degree felony. 'Transmit' now covers sharing cloud-stored material through links or credentials. The act also replaces 'child pornography' with 'child sexual abuse material'. Effective July 1, 2026.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

Raises felony exposure for creating or sharing AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery, including sharing through cloud links.

Key provisions

  1. s. 827.072: intentionally creating generated child sexual abuse material is raised to a second-degree felony
  2. New offense: transmitting generated child sexual abuse material to another person is a second-degree felony, with out-of-state senders prosecutable in Florida
  3. Knowingly possessing, controlling or intentionally viewing generated material remains a third-degree felony
  4. s. 847.0137: 'transmit' includes providing access to cloud-stored material via shared links or credentials
  5. Replaces 'child pornography' with 'child sexual abuse material' across the statutes

Latest legislative action

Mar 31, 2026. Approved by Governor March 31, 2026; Chapter No. 2026-20

Topics and industries

Affected industries

TechnologyMedia

This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error

Related AI laws in Florida

All Florida bills →
H0757 Sexual Images S1680 Advanced Technology H1459 Advanced Technology S1798 Sexually Related Offenses H1289 Autonomous Vehicles H1161 Removal of Altered Sexual Depictions Posted without Consent

Same topic in other states

New Hampshire SB300 Criminalizing the creation of child intimate visual representations Montana HB82 Generally revise laws related to crimes against children Idaho H0465 CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN – Amends and adds to existing law to provide for the cri Oklahoma HB3642 Crimes and punishments; Oklahoma Law on Obscenity and Child Pornography; scope o Nebraska LB383 Adopt the Parental Rights in Social Media Act, rename the Child Pornography Prev Maryland HB1027 Criminal Law - Child Pornography