House Bill 1521 introduces significant reforms to Florida's criminal justice system, particularly focusing on the treatment of individuals with criminal records 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 rental offer and limits the types of offenses that can be considered afterward. It also outlines procedures for withdrawing offers based on criminal history. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to facilitate the automatic restoration of civil rights for individuals convicted of felonies, aligning state law with federal standards.

Moreover, the bill revises sentencing guidelines for drug offenses, imposing mandatory minimum sentences and fines based on the quantity of controlled substances possessed. It also addresses juvenile offenders by clarifying their definition and establishing criteria for direct filing in adult court, requiring a juvenile court judge's finding that adult sanctions are warranted. A new provision allows circuit court judges to return juvenile offenders to the juvenile division if deemed unfit for adult sanctions, with a requirement for a written order explaining the decision. The bill aims to enhance accountability for drug offenses while reforming the juvenile justice system to better consider the unique circumstances of young offenders, with an effective date set for July 1, 2025.

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