TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A significant new legislative measure has gained unanimous approval in the Florida House, aiming to create a distinct offense: the indecent exposure of sexual organs to minors.

Introduced in early January by state Representative Douglas Bankson of Apopka, the bill, designated HB 1525, seeks to expand upon Florida’s current indecent exposure statutes. The existing law prohibits individuals from public nudity or the exposure of sexual organs in a vulgar or indecent manner, with such acts punishable as first-degree misdemeanors and repeat offenses potentially escalating to third-degree felonies.

However, Bankson’s proposal introduces a distinct legal framework for incidents involving minors. Specifically, the bill would categorize such actions in the presence of children as a separate crime altogether.

Under the related legislation, SB 1742, it is stipulated that individuals must not intentionally expose their sexual organs in a lewd manner to anyone under the age of 16, particularly when done with the intent of achieving sexual gratification.

However, Bankson’s bill would make it a completely separate crime to do as much in front of children. Under SB 1742, people may not:

• Purposefully expose their sexual organs in a lewd manner while looking at a person under 16 years old to achieve sexual gratification

• Purposefully perform any sexual act that doesn’t involve actual physical contact with the minor while looking at someone under 16 years old to achieve sexual gratification

  • This includes but isn’t limited to sadomasochistic abuse, sexual bestiality, masturbation, or the simulation of any act involving sexual activity

These acts under SB 1742 would automatically be treated as a third-degree felony, which can be punished with up to $5,000 in fines and five years in prison.

The new crime replaces another Florida law, which more broadly forbids any “unnatural and lascivious act with another person.” That crime can only be punished as a second-degree misdemeanor, though.

So far, the bill approved by the House on Wednesday by a unanimous vote. As such, it now has to head through the Senate for further consideration before the end of the Legislative session later this month.

Regardless, if the bill ends up getting approved and signed into law, it will take effect on Oct. 1.