WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1171

Statute of Limitations Period for Violations Involving Required Reports Concerning Children

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Wyman Duggan

Florida bill expands statute of limitations for prosecuting failures to report child abuse, strengthening accountability but increasing long-term liability for mandatory reporters.

Died in Human Services Subcommittee
#subjectindex
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1171

Legislative bill overview

HB 1171 proposed modifying Florida's statute of limitations for violations involving required reports concerning children—likely expanding the timeframe within which prosecutors could bring charges for failure to report child abuse or neglect. The bill progressed through the Criminal Justice Subcommittee with a favorable recommendation but ultimately died in the Human Services Subcommittee after being indefinitely postponed.

Why is this important

Statute of limitations periods directly affect accountability for professionals (teachers, healthcare workers, social workers) who are mandated reporters of child abuse. Extending these periods could enable prosecution of failures to report that occurred years earlier, potentially improving child protection outcomes but also creating liability exposure for individuals long after incidents occur.

Potential points of contention

  • Retroactive application concerns: Whether the extended timeline would apply to past incidents, creating unexpected legal exposure for individuals who believed their obligation had expired
  • Professional liability: Extended liability periods may increase insurance costs and discourage people from entering mandatory reporter professions
  • Evidentiary challenges: Prosecuting decades-old failures to report becomes difficult when witnesses, records, and memories fade, potentially leading to cases based on incomplete information

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.