HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/CS/CS/HB 929 Correctional Facilities
SPONSOR(S): Judiciary Committee, Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, Criminal Justice Subcommittee,
Lopez, V.
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS: SB 7016
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Criminal Justice Subcommittee 17 Y, 0 N, As CS Loyed Hall
2) Justice Appropriations Subcommittee 15 Y, 0 N, As CS Smith Keith
3) Judiciary Committee 20 Y, 0 N, As CS Loyed Kramer
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Section 944.35, F.S., prohibits any employee of the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) or a private correctional facilit y
from engaging in sexual misconduct, without committing sexual battery, with an inmate or an offender supervised by FDC in the
community. Under s. 944.35, F.S., sexual misconduct means the oral, anal, or female genital penetration by, or union with, th e
sexual organ of another or the anal or female genital penetration of another by any other object, but does not include an act
done for a bona fide medical purpose or an internal search conducted in the lawful performance of an employee’s duty. An
employee may not raise the consent of an inmate or a supervised offender as a defense. A violation of the prohibition is a third
degree felony. Current law does not prohibit all persons who may perform work or services within FDC or a private correctiona l
facility from engaging in sexual misconduct with an inmate or a supervised offender.
The prohibition against sexual misconduct does not apply to any employee of FDC or any employee of a private correctional
facility who is legally married to an inmate or a supervised offender; or any employee who has no knowledge, and would have
no reason to believe, that the person with whom the employee has engaged in sexual misconduct is an inmate or a supervised
offender.
In 1989, the Legislature authorized the construction and operation of private correctional institutions. FDC was provided
authorization to enter into contracts with private corrections firms for the design, construction and operation of private
correctional facilities. Chapter 1993-406, Laws of Florida, created the Correctional Privatization Commission (Commission) for
the purpose of entering into contracts for the design, construction and operation of private correctional facilities, effecti ve July 1,
1994. The Commission, which was housed within the Department of Management Services (DMS), was independent of the
FDC.
In 2005, the Commission was repealed by the Legislature and its functions, duties and responsibilities were transferred to DM S.
Currently, the Bureau of Private Prison Monitoring within DMS is respons ible for contract negotiation and oversight relating to
privately operated correctional facilities in Florida.
CS/CS/CS/HB 929 amends s. 944.35, F.S., to prohibit any volunteer in, or employee of a contractor or subcontractor of, FDC or
a private correctional facility from engaging in sexual misconduct, without committing sexual battery, with an inmate or an
offender supervised by FDC in the community. Under the bill, a volunteer or employee of a contractor or subcontractor of FDC or
a private correctional facility commits a third degree felony if he or she engages in sexual misconduct with an inmate or a
supervised offender.
The bill provides an exception to the criminal penalty for engaging in sexual misconduct if any volunteer, or employee of a
contractor or subcontractor, of FDC or a private correctional facility is legally married to an inmate or a supervised offender or i f
the volunteer or specified employee has no knowledge, or reason to know, the person with whom he or she engaged in sexual
misconduct was an inmate or supervised offender.
Under the bill, a volunteer is defined as a person registered with FDC or a private correctional facility who is engaged in s pecific
voluntary service activities on an ongoing or continual basis.
The bill may have a positive indeterminate jail and prison bed impact by expanding the prohibitions of the third degree felony
offense of sexual misconduct.
The bill transfers the functions, duties and responsibilities relating to the oversight and operation of private correctional facilities
from DMS to FDC via a type two transfer.
The bill provides an effective date of October 1, 2023.
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
STORAGE NAME: h0929d.JDC
DATE: 3/31/2023
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Background
The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) is responsible for all prisons and other state
correctional institutions or facilities under its jurisdiction. 1 Under s. 944.715, F.S., FDC may
assign inmates to a private correctional facility, however, inmates incarcerated in a private
correctional facility are still considered to be in the legal custody of FDC. A private correctional
facility is any facility, which is not operated by FDC, for the incarceration of adults or juveniles who
have been sentenced by a court and committed to the custody of FDC.2
Section 948.01, F.S., requires FDC to provide immediate supervision to a defendant placed on
probation or into community control by a court for a felony. FDC is authorized to provide
supervision to misdemeanor offenders sentenced or placed on probation by a circuit court when
such supervision is ordered by the sentencing court.
Sexual Misconduct
Section 944.35, F.S., prohibits any employee of FDC or a private correctional facility from
engaging in sexual misconduct, without committing sexual battery, with an inmate or an offender
supervised by FDC in the community.
Under s. 944.35, F.S., sexual misconduct means the oral, anal, or female genital penetration by,
or union with, the sexual organ of another or the anal or female genital penetration of another by
any other object, but does not include an act done for a bona fide medical purpose or an internal
search conducted in the lawful performance of an employee’s duty.
An employee may not raise the consent of an inmate or a supervised offender as a defense. A
violation of the prohibition is a third degree felony.3
The prohibition against sexual misconduct does not apply to:
Any employee of FDC or any employee of a private correctional facility who is legally
married to an inmate or a supervised offender; or
Any employee who has no knowledge, and would have no reason to believe, that the
person with whom the employee has engaged in sexual misconduct is an inmate or a
supervised offender.4
Sexual Battery
Section 794.011, F.S., criminalizes sexual battery offenses. Sexual battery means oral, anal, or
female genital penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another or the anal or female
genital penetration of another by any other object. Sexual battery is generally a second degree
felony, but the penalty may differ based on the offender’s age, the victim’s age, and the presence
of other specified circumstances.5
When the offender is a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation
officer6, or is an elected official exempt from such certification,7 or any other person in a position
of control or authority in a probation, community control, controlled release, detention, custodial,
1 S. 944.02(2), F.S.
2 S. 944.710, F.S.
3 A third degree felony is punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine. Ss. 775.082, 775.083, or 775.084 , F.S.
4 S. 944.35(3)(b)4., F.S.
5 See 794.011, F.S.
6 As defined in s. 943.10(1), (2), (3), (6), (7), (8), or (9), F.S.
7 Under ss. 943.1395 or 943.253, F.S.
STORAGE NAME: h0929d.JDC PAGE: 2
DATE: 3/31/2023
or similar setting, and such officer, official, or person is acting in such a manner as to lead the
victim to reasonably believe that the offender is in a position of control or authority as an agent or
employee of the government,8 the penalty for committing sexual battery increases to a first
degree felony.9
Volunteers
Section 944.705, F.S., authorizes a nonprofit faith-based or professional business, or a civic or
community organization, to apply for registration with FDC to provide inmate reentry services. Such
reentry services may include, but are not limited to:
Counseling;
Providing information on housing and job placement;
Money management assistance; and
Programs that address substance abuse, mental health, or co-occurring conditions.
FDC is required to adopt policies and procedures for screening, approving, and registering an
organization that applies to provide inmate reentry services. FDC is authorized to deny approval
and registration of an organization or representative from an organization it determines does not
meet FDC’s criteria. There are over 8,000 citizen volunteers working to deliver programs and
provide valuable services and skills to inmates, offenders, and staff in FDC’s 143 facilities
statewide.10
Current law does not prohibit all persons who may perform work or services within FDC or a private
correctional facility from engaging in sexual misconduct with an inmate or a supervised offender.
Private Correctional Institutions
In 1989, the Legislature authorized the construction and operation of private correctional institutions.
FDC was provided authorization to enter into contracts with private corrections firms for the design,
construction and operation of private correctional facilities. 11 The initial purpose of correctional
privatization was to discover options to improve efficiencies in the correctional system while also
reducing the costs associated with the state’s rising inmate population under the supervision of FDC.
The first private prison was contracted for by FDC, and upon the completion of construction in 1995, the
first privately operated facility opened in Florida.
Correctional Privatization Commission Act
In 1994, the Legislature established the Correctional Privatization Commission (Commission) for the
purpose of entering into contracts for the design, construction and operation of private correctional
facilities.12 The Commission, which was housed within the Department of Management Services
(DMS), was independent of the FDC. Upon creation of the Commission, oversight for the design,
construction and operation of private correctional facilities was transferred from FDC to the
Commission. The Commission entered into contracts for six additional private correctional facilities.
Department of Management Services – Bureau of Private Prison Monitoring
During the 2004 legislative session, the Commission was repealed in its entirety and all of its functions,
duties and responsibilities were transferred to DMS, effective July 1, 2005. 13 Currently, the Bureau of
8 S. 794.011(4)(e)7, F.S.
9 A first degree felony is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Ss. 775.082, 775.083, or 775.084, F.S.
10 Volunteers and Programs, Florida Department of Corrections, www.dc.state.fl.us/volunteer/volunteersandprograms.html (last visited
Mar. 16, 2023).
11 Ch. 89-526, Laws of Fla.
12 Ch. 93-406, Laws of Fla.
13 Ch. 04-248, Laws of Fla.
STORAGE NAME: h0929d.JDC PAGE: 3
DATE: 3/31/2023
Private Prison Monitoring (Bureau) within DMS is responsible for contract negotiation and oversight
relating to privately operated correctional facilities in Florida. 14
The Bureau is responsible for the oversight and contractual compliance of the private prison
system. The Bureau manages and oversees the operational contracts for the seven private
correctional facilities and ensures that vendors comply with contractual obligations to improve the
efficiency and effectiveness of private correctional facilities in Florida.
In accordance with ch. 957, F.S., the Bureau may not enter into a contract unless it determines that the
contract or series of contracts in total for the facility will result in cost savings to the state of at least
seven percent over FDC’s cost to operate an equivalent facility. Upon a determination of savings, the
Bureau enters into an “Operations and Management Contract” with a private vendor to operate the
facility for an agreed daily per diem rate, which includes the cost of all facility operations and the cost of
the contract manager employed by the Bureau.15 The Bureau currently has 15 authorized FTE positions
and appropriations totaling $3,034,190.16
Effect of Proposed Changes
CS/CS/CS/HB 929 amends s. 944.35, F.S., to prohibit any volunteer in, or employee of a contractor
or subcontractor of, FDC or a private correctional facility from engaging in sexual misconduct,
without committing sexual battery, with an inmate or an offender supervised by FDC in the
community. Under the bill, a volunteer or employee of a contractor or subcontractor of FDC or a
private correctional facility commits a third degree felony if he or she engages in sexual
misconduct with an inmate or a supervised offender.
The bill provides an exception to the criminal penalty for engaging in sexual misconduct if any
volunteer, or employee of a contractor or subcontractor, of FDC or a private correctional facility is
legally married to an inmate or a supervised offender or if the volunteer or specified employee has
no knowledge, or reason to know, the person with whom he or she engaged in sexual misconduct
was an inmate or supervised offender.
Under the bill, a volunteer is defined as a person registered with the department or a private
correctional facility who is engaged in specific voluntary service activities on an ongoing or
continual basis.
The bill also transfers the Bureau of Private Prison Monitoring, including all of its functions, duties
and responsibilities relating to the oversight and operation of private correctional facilities from
DMS to FDC via a type two transfer.17
The bill specifies that the type two transfer does not affect existing agreements, bonds, certificates
of participation, or other instruments of indebtedness entered into by DMS and that such
undertakings continue to be valid and binding on FDC in accordance with their respective terms,
conditions, and covenants.
The bill provides an effective date of October 1, 2023.
B. SECTION DIRECTORY:
Section 1: Amends s. 944.35, F.S., relating to sexual misconduct in the correctional system.
Section 2: Authorizes a type two transfer of all records, property, personnel, administrative authority,
pending issues, existing contracts, and unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations, and other
14 Private Prison Monitoring, https://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/private_prison_monitoring (last visited Mar. 16, 2023)
15 Id.
16 Specific Appropriations 2833–2842A, ch. 2022-156, Laws of Fla.
17 S. 20.06(2), F.S.
STORAGE NAME: h0929d.JDC PAGE: 4
DATE: 3/31/2023
funds of the Bureau of Private Prison Monitoring within the Department of Management Services to the
Department of Corrections.
Section 3: Amends s. 287.042(17), F.S., relating to the powers, duties, and functions of the
Department of Management Services pertaining to private correctional facilities.
Section 4: Amends s. 394.9151, F.S., relating to contract authority of the Department of Children and
Families when contracting with the Department of Corrections.
Section 5: Amends s. 943.13, F.S., relating to minimum qualifications for employment of appointment
by a private entity under contract with the Department of Corrections.
Section 6: Amends s. 944.02, F.S., relating to the definition of “Elderly offender.”
Section 7: Amends s. 944.115, F.S., relating to smoking prohibitions inside state correctional facilities.
Section 8: Amends s. 944.72, F.S., relating to the Privately Operated Institutions Inmate Welfare Trust
Fund.
Section 9: Amends s. 944.8041, F.S., relating to Elderly offenders annual review with the Correctional
Medical Authority.
Section 10: Amends s. 945.215, F.S., relating to the contracting entity of privately operated
correctional institutions and associated reporting.
Section 11: Amends s. 957.04, F.S., relating to contractual requirements for contract negotiation.
Section 12: Amends s. 957.06, F.S., relating to requirements for delegation of powers and/or duties.
Section 13: Amends s. 957.07, F.S., relating to cost-saving requirements when negotiating contracts
for private correctional facilities.
Section 14: Amends s. 957.08, F.S., relating to capacity requirements for private correctional facilities.
Section 15: Amends s. 957.14, F.S., relating to contract termination and control of a private
correctional facility.
Section 16: Amends s. 957.15, F.S., relating to the funding of contract