This bill amends section 775.084 of the Florida Statutes, which pertains to habitual felony offenders, habitual violent felony offenders, three-time violent felony offenders, and violent career criminals. The bill revises the definitions of these terms and updates the procedures that courts must follow to determine a defendant's status as one of these offenders. Notably, it removes certain conditions related to pardons and postconviction proceedings that previously affected the classification of offenders. Additionally, the bill clarifies that a conviction that has been pardoned or set aside is not considered a conviction for the purposes of this section.

The bill also introduces new requirements for court proceedings, including the necessity for written notice to be served on defendants and their attorneys before trial or plea entry, and mandates that all evidence must be presented in open court with full rights of confrontation and representation. Furthermore, it stipulates that if a court determines a defendant qualifies for enhanced sentencing as a habitual or violent offender, the court must provide written reasons if it decides not to impose such a sentence. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.