The bill introduces several amendments and new provisions aimed at enhancing criminal justice accountability in Florida. It authorizes the Attorney General to call upon state attorneys to provide information to the Cabinet regarding their office's oversight and allows the Attorney General to receive cases from state attorneys at the Governor's request. Additionally, it modifies the reporting requirements for state attorneys, shifting from quarterly to prescribed reporting by the Attorney General. The bill also expands the use of the Legal Affairs Revolving Trust Fund to include cases forwarded from state attorneys and grants the Governor the authority to assign cases to the Attorney General for prosecution under specific circumstances.

Furthermore, the bill mandates state attorneys to collect and report detailed data on criminal cases, including charges referred by law enforcement agencies without assigned case numbers. It establishes a framework for auditing these records, requiring the Department of Legal Affairs to develop an auditing schedule and conduct periodic audits. The bill also reinforces the role of the Justice Administrative Commission, making the Attorney General a permanent member and chair, while expanding the commission's duties to ensure compliance with statutory changes affecting state attorneys and public defenders. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 1515 Filed: 16.09, 16.53, 900.05