The bill amends section 874.03 of the Florida Statutes to revise the definition of "criminal gang member." The new definition includes several criteria for determining gang membership, such as admitting to membership in person or on social media, being identified as a gang member by a spouse or guardian, and adopting specific styles of dress or hand signs associated with gangs. Notably, the bill reduces the number of required observations with known gang members from four to two and introduces new criteria, including the use of criminal gang-related language on social media and participation in recordings that promote gang activity.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that if a single act meets multiple criteria, all applicable criteria are satisfied for the purposes of the statute. The changes aim to provide law enforcement with clearer guidelines for identifying gang members and enhancing public safety. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 429 Filed: 874.03