The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Community Affairs
BILL: SB 970
INTRODUCER: Senator Hooper
SUBJECT: Firefighters’ Bill of Rights
DATE: February 25, 2021 REVISED:
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Hackett Ryon CA Favorable
2. GO
3. RC
I. Summary:
SB 970 amends the Firefighters’ Bill of Rights, which provides specific rights to a firefighter
under investigation and when subject to interrogation for alleged misconduct that could lead to
disciplinary action. The bill expands the rights given to a firefighter during questioning
conducted under an informal inquiry. Currently, questioning pursuant to an informal inquiry is
not subject to the Firefighters’ Bill of Rights.
The bill requires that an informal inquiry be conducted at a reasonable time and for a reasonable
duration, allowing reasonable periods of rest for the firefighter. A representative of an employee
organization of which the firefighter is a member may represent the firefighter and be present
during the informal inquiry.
The bill also provides that during an interrogation (formal investigation) a firefighter may not be
threatened with transfer, dismissal, or disciplinary action as inducement to answer any questions.
The bill revises the definition of the term “informal inquiry” to exclude certain routine work-
related discussions.
The bill takes effect on July 1, 2021.
BILL: SB 970 Page 2
II. Present Situation:
Chapter 633, F.S., provides state law on fire prevention and control. Section 633.104(1), F.S.,
designates the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) as the State Fire Marshal, operating through the
Division of the State Fire Marshal (Division).1 Under this authority, the State Fire Marshal:
Regulates, educates or trains, and certifies fire service personnel;2
Investigates the causes of fires;3
Enforces arson laws;4
Regulates the installation and maintenance of fire equipment;5
Conducts firesafety inspections of state buildings;6
Develops firesafety standards;7
Provides facilities for the analysis of fire debris;8 and
Operates the Florida State Fire College.9
Additionally, the Division adopts by rule the Florida Fire Prevention Code, which contains or
references all fire safety laws and rules regarding public and private buildings.10
Firefighters’ Bill of Rights
The Firefighters’ Bill of Rights provides specific rights when a firefighter11 is under
investigation and subject to interrogation for a reason which could lead to disciplinary action,
including reprimand, suspension, or dismissal.12 There is a similar law for law enforcement and
correctional officers known as the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights.13
Currently, when an employing agency14 receives an allegation of misconduct regarding a
firefighter, management may conduct an informal inquiry15 to determine whether a formal
1
The head of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) is the Chief Financial Officer. The Division of the State Fire
Marshal is located within the DFS. See s. 20.121, F.S.
2
Section 633.128(1), F.S. See also ch. 633, part IV: Fire Standards and Training, F.S.
3
Section 633.104(2)(e), F.S.
4
Id.
5
Section 633.104(2)(b), F.S. See also s. 633.104(2)(c), F.S., and ch. 633, part III: Fire Protection and Suppression, F.S.
6
Section 633.218, F.S.
7
Chapter 633, part II: Fire Safety and Prevention, F.S.
8
Section 633.432, F.S.
9
Section 633.128(1)(h)–(q), F.S. See also ss. 633.428–633.434, F.S.
10
Section 633.202(1), F.S.
11
“Firefighter” means a person who is certified in compliance with s. 633.408, F.S., and who is employed solely within the
fire department or public safety department of an employing agency as a full-time firefighter whose primary responsibility is
the prevention and extinguishment of fires; the protection of life and property; and the enforcement of municipal, county, and
state fire prevention codes and laws pertaining to the prevention and control of fires. Section 112.81(1), F.S.
12
Part VIII, ch. 112, F.S.
13
Part VI, ch. 112, F.S.
14
“Employing agency” means any municipality or the state or any political subdivision thereof, including authorities and
special districts, which employs firefighters. Section 112.81(2), F.S.
15
“Informal inquiry” means a meeting by supervisory or management personnel with a firefighter about whom an allegation
of misconduct has come to the attention of such supervisory or management personnel, the purpose of which meeting is to
mediate a complaint or discuss the facts to determine whether a formal investigation should be commenced. Section
112.81(3), F.S.
BILL: SB 970 Page 3
investigation16 is appropriate. Informal inquiries are not subject to the requirements of the
Firefighters’ Bill of Rights. Only after a formal investigation has begun do the requirements have
effect, when questioning related to the investigation is called an interrogation.17
Under the Firefighters’ Bill of Rights, an interrogation of a firefighter must be conducted
according to the following terms:18
The interrogation shall take place at the facility where the investigating officer is assigned or
at the facility that has jurisdiction over the place where the incident under investigation
allegedly occurred, as designated by the investigating officer.
No firefighter shall be subjected to interrogation without first receiving written notice in
sufficient detail of the investigation to reasonably apprise the firefighter of the nature of the
investigation. The firefighter shall be informed beforehand of the names of all complainants.
All interrogations shall be conducted at a reasonable time of day, preferably when the
firefighter is on duty unless the importance of the interrogation or investigation is of such a
nature that immediate action is required.
The firefighter under investigation shall be informed of the name, rank, and unit or command
of the officer in charge of the investigation, the interrogators, and all persons present during
any interrogation.
Interrogation sessions shall be of reasonable duration, and the firefighter shall be permitted
reasonable periods for rest and personal necessities.
The firefighter being interrogated shall not be subjected to offensive language or offered any
incentive as an inducement to answer any questions.
A complete record of any interrogation shall be made, and if a transcript of such interrogation
is made, the firefighter under investigation shall be entitled to a copy without charge. Such
records may be electronically recorded.
An employee or officer of an employing agency may represent the agency, and an employee
organization may represent any member of a bargaining unit desiring such representation in
any proceeding to which this part applies. If a collective bargaining agreement provides for
the presence of a representative of the collective bargaining unit during investigations or
interrogations, such representative shall be allowed to be present.
No firefighter shall be discharged, disciplined, demoted, denied promotion or seniority,
transferred, reassigned, or otherwise disciplined or discriminated against in regard to his or
her employment, or be threatened with any such treatment as retaliation for or by reason
solely of his or her exercise of any of the rights granted or protected by this part.
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
Section 1 amends s. 112.81, F.S., to revise the definitions of “informal inquiry” and “formal
investigation.” “Informal inquiry” is revised to exclude certain discussions between supervisory
16
“Formal investigation” means the process of an investigation ordered by supervisory personnel, after the supervisory
personnel has previously determined that the firefighter shall be reprimanded, suspended, or removed, during which the
questioning of a firefighter is conducted to gather evidence of misconduct. 112.81(4), F.S.
17
“Interrogation” means the questioning of a firefighter by an employing agency in connection with a formal investigation or
an administrative proceeding but shall not include arbitration or civil service proceedings. Questioning during an informal
inquiry shall not be deemed to be an interrogation. 112.81(5), F.S.
18
Section 112.82, F.S.
BILL: SB 970 Page 4
and management personnel and firefighters, such as safety sessions, normal operational fire
debriefings, and routine work-related discussions.
The term “formal investigation” is revised to mean an investigation undertaken to determine
whether a firefighter will be disciplined, reprimanded, suspended, or removed. A formal
investigation may be initiated by management personnel as well as supervisory personnel.
Section 2 amends s. 112.82, F.S., to expand the rights given to a firefighter during questioning
conducted under an informal inquiry. Namely, the following requirements are applied to an
informal inquiry:
It must be conducted at a reasonable time of day, preferably when the firefighter is on duty;
It must be conducted for a reasonable duration and the firefighter must be permitted
reasonable periods for rest; and
A representative of an employee organization of which the firefighter is a member may
represent the firefighter and be present during the informal inquiry.
The bill further provides that during an interrogation a firefighter may not be threatened with
transfer, dismissal, or disciplinary action as inducement to answer any questions.
Section 3 provides that the bill takes effect July 1, 2021.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None identified.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
BILL: SB 970 Page 5
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
An employing agency may need to amend its internal policies and procedures, which will
likely be a minimal impact on its resources.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends sections 112.81 and 112.82 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.
Statutes affected: S 970 Filed: 112.82