The bill amends the Florida Criminal Punishment Code to focus on both punishing offenders and rehabilitating them for reintegration into society. It reduces the minimum time a defendant must serve from 85 percent to 72 percent of their sentence and introduces new provisions for gain-time, now referred to as "rehabilitation credit." This includes criteria for awarding credits based on good behavior and participation in rehabilitative programs, as well as a framework for calculating tentative release dates. The bill also replaces the term "incentive gain-time" with "rehabilitation credit" in various sections and establishes stricter eligibility requirements for early release, particularly for serious offenses.

Additionally, the bill enhances penalties for certain crimes, including reclassifying offenses against vulnerable road users and increasing penalties for child pornography offenses. It specifies that individuals convicted of aggravated fleeing or eluding law enforcement are ineligible for early release until serving their mandatory minimum sentence. The bill also modifies provisions regarding HIV testing for incarcerated individuals and mandates participation in educational programs for inmates, with potential rewards in the form of additional rehabilitation credits. These changes aim to improve public safety while promoting rehabilitation opportunities for offenders, with the new provisions set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 297 Filed: 921.002, 944.275, 316.027, 316.1935, 381.004, 775.084, 775.0847, 775.0861, 775.0862, 775.0875, 777.03, 777.04, 784.07, 794.0115, 794.0116, 810.145, 812.081, 817.568, 831.032, 843.22, 944.281, 944.473, 944.70, 947.005