House Bill 953 amends various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance regulations and penalties related to gambling, drug trafficking, and sexual offender reporting. The bill introduces new legal language that establishes stricter penalties for offenses such as agents or employees of a keeper of a gambling house, 3rd or subsequent offense, renting a house for gambling purposes, and manufacturing, selling, or possessing a slot machine by a person of authority with five or more machines or two or more prior convictions. It also addresses false statements regarding the legality of slot machines and includes provisions for five or more machines. Additionally, the bill enhances penalties for drug-related offenses and criminal gang activity, specifying that encouraging or recruiting another to join a criminal gang; second or subsequent offense will be classified as a second-degree felony. The legislation further clarifies definitions related to gambling and establishes new prohibitions against illegal gambling advertisements, with penalties for violations. It creates a preemption clause that limits local governments' ability to regulate gaming unless permitted by state law. The bill also updates the offense severity ranking chart to reflect changes in gambling-related offenses and deletes references to certain gambling statutes from the definitions of "criminal activity" and "unlawful debt." Overall, HB 953 aims to strengthen the enforcement of gambling laws, improve compliance among sexual offenders, and enhance penalties for drug trafficking, with an effective date set for October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 953 Filed: 16.71, 838.12, 843.08, 849.01, 849.02, 849.03, 849.08, 849.11, 849.13, 849.14, 849.15, 849.23, 895.02