The bill amends Florida Statutes concerning compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration by removing the definition of "violent felony" and extending the timeframe for filing compensation petitions. This change allows individuals whose petitions were previously dismissed or who had not filed to submit new petitions, although it prohibits heirs or successors of deceased individuals from doing so. Additionally, the bill specifies that individuals wrongfully incarcerated are ineligible for compensation during any time they were concurrently serving a sentence for another felony conviction and eliminates previous exclusions for those convicted of violent felonies. The compensation calculation is set at $50,000 per year of wrongful incarceration, and provisions for waiving tuition fees at educational institutions are included.

Moreover, the bill introduces new provisions regarding the purchase of annuities for claimants who are currently incarcerated, allowing for such purchases for individuals in correctional facilities due to felony convictions, while excluding those wrongfully convicted. The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for initiating payments after the term of incarceration ends. The bill also establishes a continuing appropriation for annuity payments starting in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, ensuring that a sufficient amount is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund for these payments. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 59 Filed: 961.02, 961.03, 961.04, 961.06, 961.07
H 59 c1: 961.02, 961.03, 961.04, 961.06, 961.07