Florida Senate - 2021 SB 730



By Senator Bracy





11-00799-21 2021730__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to strangulation by a law enforcement
3 officer; creating s. 784.042, F.S.; providing criminal
4 penalties for law enforcement officers who while on
5 duty commit the offense of strangulation by a law
6 enforcement officer; providing an effective date.
7
8 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
9
10 Section 1. Section 784.042, Florida Statutes, is created to
11 read:
12 784.042 Strangulation by law enforcement officer;
13 penalties.—
14 (1) A law enforcement officer commits the offense of
15 strangulation by a law enforcement officer if while on duty the
16 officer knowingly and intentionally impedes the normal breathing
17 or circulation of the blood of an individual so as to create a
18 risk of or cause great bodily harm or death by applying pressure
19 on the throat or neck of the individual or by blocking the nose
20 or mouth of the individual, including the use of a chokehold or
21 similar restraint.
22 (2) A law enforcement officer who violates subsection (1)
23 commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in
24 s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
25 Section 2. This act shall take effect October 1, 2021.