House Bill 1521 introduces substantial reforms to Florida's criminal justice system, focusing on the treatment of individuals with criminal records, particularly regarding housing and voting rights. The bill establishes a new section, 83.455, which prohibits landlords from asking about a prospective tenant's criminal history before making a "conditional offer" to rent, and it limits the offenses that can be considered after such an offer. Additionally, it amends existing laws to eliminate the requirement for full payment of financial obligations to restore voting rights and ensures that individuals convicted of felonies have their citizenship rights automatically restored in accordance with federal standards.

The bill also revises sentencing guidelines for drug offenses, imposing mandatory minimum sentences and fines based on the quantity of drugs involved, and allows for resentencing of individuals convicted of trafficking in hydrocodone and oxycodone under certain conditions. It modifies the definition of "juvenile offender" for sentencing reviews and mandates that juvenile court judges assess the appropriateness of adult sanctions before charges can be filed against children aged 14 or 15 for serious felonies. Furthermore, it requires the Department of Corrections to provide data on inmates for legislative redistricting, ensuring that incarcerated individuals are counted based on their last known residence. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 1521 Filed: 940.05, 921.1402, 985.557