The proposed bill, titled the Correctional and Probation Officer Fairness Act, aims to address compensation disparities between correctional officers, correctional probation officers, institutional security specialists, and sworn law enforcement officers in Florida. It mandates that starting July 1, 2030, the average salary for correctional officers and similar roles must be at least 97% of the average salary of sworn law enforcement officers. Additionally, the Department of Management Services is required to submit an annual compensation analysis report to the Governor and the Legislature beginning in 2027, which will assess progress towards achieving this salary goal. The bill also stipulates that these officers will receive an annual salary increase of at least 3% starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, in addition to any bonuses or other authorized increases.

Furthermore, the bill amends section 252.36 of the Florida Statutes to allow the Governor to authorize correctional officers, correctional probation officers, and institutional security specialists to assist with law enforcement operations during declared state or federal emergencies. To be eligible for this authorization, these officers must be actively employed, certified by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, and have at least five years of continuous service in their respective roles. The Governor is also granted the authority to renew the executive order for these emergency roles in 30-day increments as necessary. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.