This bill amends Florida Statutes regarding the offenses of battery by strangulation and domestic battery by strangulation. Specifically, it removes the requirement that such acts must create a risk of or cause great bodily harm to another person. The revised definition now states that a person commits battery by strangulation if they knowingly and intentionally impede the normal breathing or circulation of blood of another person by applying pressure to the throat or neck or blocking the nose or mouth. This change is reflected in the amendments to sections 784.031 and 784.041 of the Florida Statutes.

Additionally, the bill reclassifies the offense of battery by strangulation within the Criminal Punishment Code's offense severity ranking chart, specifically in section 921.0022. The offense is now explicitly listed as a third-degree felony. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 890 Filed: 784.041, 921.0022, 943.0584
S 890 c1: 784.031, 784.041