The bill amends section 782.04 of the Florida Statutes to create a new offense of third-degree murder. This new provision defines third-degree murder as the unlawful killing of a human being, committed without intent to cause death, by a person under 18 years of age who is engaged in the unlawful distribution of certain controlled substances. If it is proven that the substance caused or significantly contributed to the death of the user, the act is classified as a felony of the second degree, with penalties outlined in sections 775.082, 775.083, or 775.084.

Additionally, the bill redesignates the existing subsection (5) of section 782.04 to subsection (6) and introduces the new subsection (5) detailing the parameters of the third-degree murder offense. The effective date for this legislation is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 612 Filed: 782.04