The proposed bill introduces significant changes to Florida's criminal justice laws, including a new prohibition on the use of motor vehicle kill switches, which can only be utilized by law enforcement officers during their duties to prevent felonies. Violators will face misdemeanor charges. The bill also amends existing statutes to impose stricter penalties for violent crimes against justice system personnel, establishing a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years for attempted murder and life imprisonment without eligibility for release for manslaughter of specified officers. Additionally, it extends firearms rights to correctional probation officers and allows certain individuals to carry weapons similarly to law enforcement officers.

Further amendments include increased penalties for making false crime reports, with the severity of the offense escalating based on the consequences of the false report. The bill changes the classification of willfully making a false report of a crime resulting in death from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony. It also introduces provisions to protect vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and minors, and enhances penalties for offenses involving threats, extortion, and the distribution of obscene materials. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, aiming to strengthen the legal framework surrounding these crimes and ensure that penalties reflect their severity.

Statutes affected:
S 1444 Filed: 775.0823, 782.065, 790.051, 790.052, 817.49, 951.27