The 2023 Florida Statutes (including Special Session C)

Title XXXII
REGULATION OF PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS

Chapter 491
CLINICAL, COUNSELING, AND PSYCHOTHERAPY SERVICES

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F.S. 491.0112

491.0112 Sexual misconduct by a psychotherapist; penalties.—

(1) Any psychotherapist who commits sexual misconduct with a client, or former client when the professional relationship was terminated primarily for the purpose of engaging in sexual contact, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083; however, a second or subsequent offense is a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(2) Any psychotherapist who violates subsection (1) by means of therapeutic deception commits a felony of the second degree punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(3) The giving of consent by the client to any such act shall not be a defense to these offenses.

(4) For the purposes of this section, the term:

(a) “Client” means a person to whom the services of a psychotherapist are provided.

(b) “Female genitals” includes the labia minora, labia majora, clitoris, vulva, hymen, and vagina.

(c) “Psychotherapist” means any person licensed pursuant to chapter 458, chapter 459, part I of chapter 464, chapter 490, or chapter 491, or any other person who provides or purports to provide treatment, diagnosis, assessment, evaluation, or counseling of mental or emotional illness, symptom, or condition.

(d) “Sexual misconduct” means the oral, anal, or female genital penetration of another by, or contact with, the sexual organ of another or the anal or female genital penetration of another by any object.

(e) “Therapeutic deception” means a representation to the client that sexual contact by the psychotherapist is consistent with or part of the treatment of the client.

History.—s. 1, ch. 90-70; s. 13, ch. 91-201; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 137, ch. 2000-318; s. 2, ch. 2022-165.

F.S. 491.0112 on Google Scholar

F.S. 491.0112 on Casetext

Amendments to 491.0112

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 491.0112

Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

S491.0112 1 - SEX ASSLT - PSYCHOTHERAPIST ENGAGE IN SEX WITH CLIENT - F: T

S491.0112 1 - SEX ASSLT - PSYCHOTHERAP ENGAGE SEX W CLIENT 2ND SUBSQ OFF - F: S

S491.0112 2 - SEX ASSLT - PSYCHOTHERAPIST ENGAGE SEX W CLIENT DECEPTION - F: S

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases from cite.case.law:

IN RE STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CRIMINAL CASES- REPORT, 257 So. 3d 370 (Fla. 2018)

. . . Give if applicable. § 491.0112(2), Fla. Stat. . . . . § 491.0112(4)(b), Fla. Stat. . . . Definitions. § 491.0112(4), Fla. Stat. § 491.0112(4)(a), Fla. Stat. . . . . § 491.0112(4)(d), Fla. Stat. . . . . § 491.0112(4)(c), Fla. Stat. . . .

In STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CRIMINAL CASES REPORT NO., 146 So. 3d 1110 (Fla. 2014)

. . . 1998 [723 So.2d 123], and 2009 [22 So.3d 17], and 2014. 11.18 SEXUAL MISCONDUCT BY A PSYCHOTHERAPIST § 491.0112 . . .

CORLEY, v. STATE, 44 So. 3d 109 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2009)

. . . Since then, offenses relating to sections 491.0112 (sexual misconduct by a psychotherapist), and 775.22 . . .

SEAGRAVE, v. STATE, 802 So. 2d 281 (Fla. 2001)

. . . Ultimately, sexual misconduct by a therapist (section 491.0112), see Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure . . .

STATE v. LUDWIG,, 700 So. 2d 18 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1997)

. . . We reverse the trial court’s order of dismissal based on the unconstitutionality of section 491.0112, . . .

SHAPIRO, v. STATE, 696 So. 2d 1321 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1997)

. . . Appellant, a licensed psychologist, was convicted of sexual misconduct by a psychotherapist under section 491.0112 . . . sexual contact by the psychotherapist is consistent with or part of the treatment of the client.” § 491.0112 . . . We reject Appellant’s assertion that Florida Statute § 491.0112 (1993) is facially unconstitutional. . . . professional relationship is terminated primarily for the purpose of engaging in sexual contact.” § 491.0112 . . .

AMENDMENTS TO FLORIDA RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE RE SENTENCING GUIDELINES, 628 So. 2d 1084 (Fla. 1993)

. . . Category 2: Sexual offenses: Section 775.22, Cchapters 794 and 800, section 826.04, and section 491.0112 . . .

In AMENDMENTS TO FLORIDA RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, 606 So. 2d 227 (Fla. 1992)

. . . Category 2: Sexual offenses: Chapters 794 and 800, section 826.04, and section 491.0112. . . .

In AMENDMENTS TO FLORIDA RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE- SENTENCING GUIDELINES RULES, 589 So. 2d 271 (Fla. 1991)

. . . and section 327.351(2) Category 2: Sexual offenses: Chapters 794 and 800, section 826.04, and section 491.0112 . . .

FLORIDA RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE RE SENTENCING GUIDELINES RULES AND, 576 So. 2d 1307 (Fla. 1991)

. . . Chapter 90-70, section 1, Laws of Florida (codified at section 491.0112, Florida Statutes (Supp. 1990 . . . section 327.351(2) Category 2: Sexual offenses: Chapters 794 and 800¿ and section 826.04, and section 491.0112 . . . FORMS Rule 3.988(b) Category 2: Sexual Offenses Chapters 794 and 800¿ section 826.041 . and section 491.0112 . . .