The bill introduces a new section, 782.073, to the Florida Statutes, establishing a rebuttable presumption in favor of the defense in cases where a defendant is charged with second-degree murder or manslaughter. This presumption applies when a forensic toxicology report shows that a Schedule I controlled substance was present in the alleged victim at the time of death. The intent of this legislation is to provide a legal framework that acknowledges the potential influence of controlled substances on the cause of death in specific criminal cases.

The effective date for this new law is set for July 1, 2025. By creating this rebuttable presumption, the bill aims to shift some of the burden of proof onto the prosecution, allowing defendants to argue that the presence of controlled substances may have contributed to the victim's death, thereby impacting the outcome of murder and manslaughter charges.