Fla. Stat. 944.606
Sexual offenders; notification upon release

(1)

As used in this section, the term:“Convicted” means there has been a determination of guilt as a result of a trial or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld. A conviction for a similar offense includes, but is not limited to, a conviction by a federal or military tribunal, including courts-martial conducted by the Armed Forces of the United States, and includes a conviction or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere resulting in a sanction in any state of the United States or other jurisdiction. A sanction includes, but is not limited to, a fine; probation; community control; parole; conditional release; control release; or incarceration in a state prison, federal prison, contractor-operated correctional facility, or local detention facility.“Electronic mail address” has the same meaning as provided in s. 668.602.“Internet identifier” has the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.“Permanent residence,” “temporary residence,” and “transient residence” have the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.“Professional license” has the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.“Sexual offender” means a person who has been convicted of committing, or attempting, soliciting, or conspiring to commit, any of the criminal offenses proscribed in the following statutes in this state or similar offenses in another jurisdiction: s. 393.135(2); s. 394.4593(2); s. 787.01, s. 787.02, or s. 787.025(2)(c), where the victim is a minor; s. 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), or (g); former s. 787.06(3)(h); s. 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10); s. 794.05; former s. 796.03; former s. 796.035; s. 800.04; s. 810.145(8); s. 825.1025; s. 827.071; s. 847.0133; s. 847.0135, excluding s. 847.0135(6); s. 847.0137; s. 847.0138; s. 847.0145; s. 895.03, if the court makes a written finding that the racketeering activity involved at least one sexual offense listed in this paragraph or at least one offense listed in this paragraph with sexual intent or motive; s. 916.1075(2); or s. 985.701(1); or any similar offense committed in this state which has been redesignated from a former statute number to one of those listed in this subsection, when the department has received verified information regarding such conviction; an offender’s computerized criminal history record is not, in and of itself, verified information.

(a)

“Convicted” means there has been a determination of guilt as a result of a trial or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld. A conviction for a similar offense includes, but is not limited to, a conviction by a federal or military tribunal, including courts-martial conducted by the Armed Forces of the United States, and includes a conviction or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere resulting in a sanction in any state of the United States or other jurisdiction. A sanction includes, but is not limited to, a fine; probation; community control; parole; conditional release; control release; or incarceration in a state prison, federal prison, contractor-operated correctional facility, or local detention facility.

(b)

“Electronic mail address” has the same meaning as provided in s. 668.602.

(c)

“Internet identifier” has the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.

(d)

“Permanent residence,” “temporary residence,” and “transient residence” have the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.

(e)

“Professional license” has the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.

(f)

“Sexual offender” means a person who has been convicted of committing, or attempting, soliciting, or conspiring to commit, any of the criminal offenses proscribed in the following statutes in this state or similar offenses in another jurisdiction: s. 393.135(2); s. 394.4593(2); s. 787.01, s. 787.02, or s. 787.025(2)(c), where the victim is a minor; s. 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), or (g); former s. 787.06(3)(h); s. 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10); s. 794.05; former s. 796.03; former s. 796.035; s. 800.04; s. 810.145(8); s. 825.1025; s. 827.071; s. 847.0133; s. 847.0135, excluding s. 847.0135(6); s. 847.0137; s. 847.0138; s. 847.0145; s. 895.03, if the court makes a written finding that the racketeering activity involved at least one sexual offense listed in this paragraph or at least one offense listed in this paragraph with sexual intent or motive; s. 916.1075(2); or s. 985.701(1); or any similar offense committed in this state which has been redesignated from a former statute number to one of those listed in this subsection, when the department has received verified information regarding such conviction; an offender’s computerized criminal history record is not, in and of itself, verified information.

(2)

The Legislature finds that sexual offenders, especially those who have committed their offenses against minors, often pose a high risk of engaging in sexual offenses even after being released from incarceration or commitment and that protection of the public from sexual offenders is a paramount governmental interest. Sexual offenders have a reduced expectation of privacy because of the public’s interest in public safety and in the effective operation of government. Releasing sexual offender information to law enforcement agencies and to persons who request such information, and releasing such information to the public by a law enforcement agency or public agency, will further the governmental interests of public safety.

(3)(a)

The department shall provide information regarding any sexual offender who is being released after serving a period of incarceration for any offense, as follows:
The department shall provide: the sexual offender’s name, any change in the offender’s name by reason of marriage or other legal process, and any alias, if known; the correctional facility from which the sexual offender is released; the sexual offender’s social security number, race, sex, date of birth, height, weight, and hair and eye color; tattoos or other identifying marks; address of any planned permanent residence or temporary residence, within the state or out of state, including a rural route address and a post office box; if no permanent or temporary address, any transient residence within the state; address, location or description, and dates of any known future temporary residence within the state or out of state; date and county of sentence and each crime for which the offender was sentenced; a copy of the offender’s fingerprints, palm prints, and a digitized photograph taken within 60 days before release; the date of release of the sexual offender; all electronic mail addresses and all Internet identifiers required to be provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e); employment information, if known, provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e); all home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers required to be provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e); information about any professional licenses the offender has, if known; and passport information, if he or she has a passport, and, if he or she is an alien, information about documents establishing his or her immigration status. The department shall notify the Department of Law Enforcement if the sexual offender escapes, absconds, or dies. If the sexual offender is in the custody of a contractor-operated correctional facility, the facility shall take the digitized photograph of the sexual offender within 60 days before the sexual offender’s release and provide this photograph to the Department of Corrections and also place it in the sexual offender’s file. If the sexual offender is in the custody of a local jail, the custodian of the local jail shall register the offender within 3 business days after intake of the offender for any reason and upon release, and shall notify the Department of Law Enforcement of the sexual offender’s release and provide to the Department of Law Enforcement the information specified in this paragraph and any information specified in subparagraph 2. that the Department of Law Enforcement requests.
The department may provide any other information deemed necessary, including criminal and corrections records, nonprivileged personnel and treatment records, when available.
The department must provide the information described in subparagraph (a)1. to:
The sheriff of the county from where the sexual offender was sentenced;
The sheriff of the county and, if applicable, the police chief of the municipality, where the sexual offender plans to reside;
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement;
When requested, the victim of the offense, the victim’s parent or legal guardian if the victim is a minor, the lawful representative of the victim or of the victim’s parent or guardian if the victim is a minor, or the next of kin if the victim is a homicide victim; and
Any person who requests such information,

either within 6 months prior to the anticipated release of a sexual offender, or as soon as possible if an offender is released earlier than anticipated. All such information provided to the Department of Law Enforcement must be available electronically as soon as the information is in the agency’s database and must be in a format that is compatible with the requirements of the Florida Crime Information Center.

Upon request, the department must provide the information described in subparagraph (a)2. to:
The sheriff of the county from where the sexual offender was sentenced; and
The sheriff of the county and, if applicable, the police chief of the municipality, where the sexual offender plans to reside,

either within 6 months prior to the anticipated release of a sexual offender, or as soon as possible if an offender is released earlier than anticipated.

Upon receiving information regarding a sexual offender from the department, the Department of Law Enforcement, the sheriff or the chief of police shall provide the information described in subparagraph (a)1. to any individual who requests such information and may release the information to the public in any manner deemed appropriate, unless the information so received is confidential or exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.

(3)(a)

The department shall provide information regarding any sexual offender who is being released after serving a period of incarceration for any offense, as follows:The department shall provide: the sexual offender’s name, any change in the offender’s name by reason of marriage or other legal process, and any alias, if known; the correctional facility from which the sexual offender is released; the sexual offender’s social security number, race, sex, date of birth, height, weight, and hair and eye color; tattoos or other identifying marks; address of any planned permanent residence or temporary residence, within the state or out of state, including a rural route address and a post office box; if no permanent or temporary address, any transient residence within the state; address, location or description, and dates of any known future temporary residence within the state or out of state; date and county of sentence and each crime for which the offender was sentenced; a copy of the offender’s fingerprints, palm prints, and a digitized photograph taken within 60 days before release; the date of release of the sexual offender; all electronic mail addresses and all Internet identifiers required to be provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e); employment information, if known, provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e); all home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers required to be provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e); information about any professional licenses the offender has, if known; and passport information, if he or she has a passport, and, if he or she is an alien, information about documents establishing his or her immigration status. The department shall notify the Department of Law Enforcement if the sexual offender escapes, absconds, or dies. If the sexual offender is in the custody of a contractor-operated correctional facility, the facility shall take the digitized photograph of the sexual offender within 60 days before the sexual offender’s release and provide this photograph to the Department of Corrections and also place it in the sexual offender’s file. If the sexual offender is in the custody of a local jail, the custodian of the local jail shall register the offender within 3 business days after intake of the offender for any reason and upon release, and shall notify the Department of Law Enforcement of the sexual offender’s release and provide to the Department of Law Enforcement the information specified in this paragraph and any information specified in subparagraph 2. that the Department of Law Enforcement requests.The department may provide any other information deemed necessary, including criminal and corrections records, nonprivileged personnel and treatment records, when available.
1. The department shall provide: the sexual offender’s name, any change in the offender’s name by reason of marriage or other legal process, and any alias, if known; the correctional facility from which the sexual offender is released; the sexual offender’s social security number, race, sex, date of birth, height, weight, and hair and eye color; tattoos or other identifying marks; address of any planned permanent residence or temporary residence, within the state or out of state, including a rural route address and a post office box; if no permanent or temporary address, any transient residence within the state; address, location or description, and dates of any known future temporary residence within the state or out of state; date and county of sentence and each crime for which the offender was sentenced; a copy of the offender’s fingerprints, palm prints, and a digitized photograph taken within 60 days before release; the date of release of the sexual offender; all electronic mail addresses and all Internet identifiers required to be provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e); employment information, if known, provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e); all home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers required to be provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e); information about any professional licenses the offender has, if known; and passport information, if he or she has a passport, and, if he or she is an alien, information about documents establishing his or her immigration status. The department shall notify the Department of Law Enforcement if the sexual offender escapes, absconds, or dies. If the sexual offender is in the custody of a contractor-operated correctional facility, the facility shall take the digitized photograph of the sexual offender within 60 days before the sexual offender’s release and provide this photograph to the Department of Corrections and also place it in the sexual offender’s file. If the sexual offender is in the custody of a local jail, the custodian of the local jail shall register the offender within 3 business days after intake of the offender for any reason and upon release, and shall notify the Department of Law Enforcement of the sexual offender’s release and provide to the Department of Law Enforcement the information specified in this paragraph and any information specified in subparagraph 2. that the Department of Law Enforcement requests.
2. The department may provide any other information deemed necessary, including criminal and corrections records, nonprivileged personnel and treatment records, when available.

(b)

The department must provide the information described in subparagraph (a)1. to:The sheriff of the county from where the sexual offender was sentenced;The sheriff of the county and, if applicable, the police chief of the municipality, where the sexual offender plans to reside;The Florida Department of Law Enforcement;When requested, the victim of the offense, the victim’s parent or legal guardian if the victim is a minor, the lawful representative of the victim or of the victim’s parent or guardian if the victim is a minor, or the next of kin if the victim is a homicide victim; andAny person who requests such information,

either within 6 months prior to the anticipated release of a sexual offender, or as soon as possible if an offender is released earlier than anticipated. All such information provided to the Department of Law Enforcement must be available electronically as soon as the information is in the agency’s database and must be in a format that is compatible with the requirements of the Florida Crime Information Center.

1. The sheriff of the county from where the sexual offender was sentenced;
2. The sheriff of the county and, if applicable, the police chief of the municipality, where the sexual offender plans to reside;
3. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement;
4. When requested, the victim of the offense, the victim’s parent or legal guardian if the victim is a minor, the lawful representative of the victim or of the victim’s parent or guardian if the victim is a minor, or the next of kin if the victim is a homicide victim; and
5. Any person who requests such information,

(c)

Upon request, the department must provide the information described in subparagraph (a)2. to:The sheriff of the county from where the sexual offender was sentenced; andThe sheriff of the county and, if applicable, the police chief of the municipality, where the sexual offender plans to reside,

either within 6 months prior to the anticipated release of a sexual offender, or as soon as possible if an offender is released earlier than anticipated.

1. The sheriff of the county from where the sexual offender was sentenced; and
2. The sheriff of the county and, if applicable, the police chief of the municipality, where the sexual offender plans to reside,

(d)

Upon receiving information regarding a sexual offender from the department, the Department of Law Enforcement, the sheriff or the chief of police shall provide the information described in subparagraph (a)1. to any individual who requests such information and may release the information to the public in any manner deemed appropriate, unless the information so received is confidential or exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.

(4)

This section authorizes the department or any law enforcement agency to notify the community and the public of a sexual offender’s presence in the community. However, with respect to a sexual offender who has been found to be a “sexual predator” under chapter 775, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or any other law enforcement agency must inform the community and the public of the sexual predator’s presence in the community, as provided in chapter 775.

(5)

An elected or appointed official, public employee, school administrator or employee, or agency, or any individual or entity acting at the request or upon the direction of any law enforcement agency, is immune from civil liability for damages resulting from the release of information under this section.

Source: Section 944.606 — Sexual offenders; notification upon release, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0944.­606 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

944.01
Short title 944.02
Definitions 944.08
Commitment to custody of department 944.09
Rules of the department 944.10
Department of Corrections to provide buildings 944.11
Department to regulate admission of books 944.012
Legislative intent 944.14
Supervision of correctional institutions 944.17
Commitments and classification 944.23
Persons authorized to visit state prisons 944.023
Comprehensive correctional master plan 944.24
Administration of correctional institutions for women 944.024
Adult intake and evaluation 944.026
Community-based facilities and programs 944.28
Forfeiture of gain-time and the right to earn gain-time in the future 944.31
Inspector general 944.32
Reports of prison inspectors 944.33
Failure of inspector to make report 944.033
Community correctional centers 944.35
Authorized use of force 944.36
Permitting inmates to escape 944.37
Acceptance of unauthorized compensation 944.38
Acceptance of remuneration from contractor 944.39
Interference with prisoners 944.40
Escapes 944.44
Holding persons as hostages 944.45
Mutiny, riot, strike 944.46
Harboring, concealing, aiding escaped prisoners 944.47
Introduction, removal, or possession of contraband 944.48
Service of sentence 944.52
Legal adviser 944.053
Forestry Work Camps 944.70
Conditions for release from incarceration 944.72
Contractor-Operated Institutions Inmate Welfare Trust Fund 944.73
State-Operated Institutions Inmate Welfare Trust Fund 944.091
United States prisoners, board authorized 944.095
Siting of additional correctional facilities 944.096
Budget requests for residential facility construction 944.105
Contractual arrangements with contractor-operated entities for operation and maintenance of correctional facilities and supervision of inmates 944.115
Smoking prohibited inside state correctional facilities 944.151
Safe operation and security of correctional institutions and facilities 944.171
Housing of inmates 944.0231
Reduction of capacity 944.241
Incarcerated pregnant women 944.242
Dignity for women in correctional facilities 944.275
Gain-time 944.278
Cancellation of administrative gain-time and provisional credits 944.279
Disciplinary procedures applicable to prisoner for filing frivolous or malicious actions or bringing false information before court 944.281
Ineligibility to earn gain-time due to disciplinary action 944.282
Rules governing inmate use of weight training equipment 944.291
Prisoner released by reason of gain-time allowances or attainment of provisional release date 944.292
Suspension of civil rights 944.331
Inmate grievance procedure 944.402
Reward for capture of escapee from correctional institution 944.405
Warrant for retaking offender who has escaped from custody or absconded from rehabilitative community reentry program, or who is ineligible for release 944.471
Short title 944.472
Drug-free corrections 944.473
Inmate substance abuse testing program 944.474
Legislative intent 944.485
Subsistence fees with respect to certain prisoners 944.512
State lien on proceeds from literary or other type of account of crime for which convicted 944.516
Money or other property received for personal use or benefit of inmate 944.596
Transfer of convicted foreign citizens or nationals under treaty 944.597
Transportation and return of prisoners by private transport company 944.602
Agency notification before release of intellectually disabled inmates 944.605
Inmate release 944.606
Sexual offenders 944.607
Notification to Department of Law Enforcement of information on sexual offenders 944.608
Notification to Department of Law Enforcement of information on career offenders 944.609
Career offenders 944.611
Legislative intent 944.0611
Department employees 944.612
Definitions for s 944.613
Methods of transportation 944.701
Short title 944.702
Legislative intent 944.703
Eligible inmates 944.704
Staff who provide transition assistance 944.705
Release orientation program 944.706
Basic release assistance 944.707
Postrelease special services 944.708
Rules 944.710
Definitions of terms relating to contractor-operated state correctional facilities and s 944.711
Requests for proposals 944.712
Bidder and private vendor qualifications 944.713
Insurance against liability 944.714
Quality assurance and standards of operation 944.715
Delegation of authority 944.716
Contract termination and control of a correctional facility by the department 944.717
Conflicts of interest 944.718
Withdrawal of request for proposals 944.719
Adoption of rules, monitoring, and reporting 944.801
Education for state prisoners 944.802
Direct-support organization 944.803
Faith- and character-based programs 944.804
Elderly offenders correctional facilities program of 2000 944.1905
Initial inmate classification 944.4731
Addiction-Recovery Supervision Program 944.7031
Eligible inmates released from contractor-operated correctional facilities 944.7065
Transition course for inmates 944.7071
Operation New Hope 944.8031
Inmate’s family visitation 944.8041
Elderly offenders

Current through Fall 2025

§ 944.606. Sexual offenders; notification upon release's source at flsenate​.gov