Quick Links
CS/HB 997 — Juvenile Civil Citations
by Justice Appropriations Subcommittee and Rep. Pilon and others (CS/SB 1300 by Criminal Justice Committee and Senator Storms)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Criminal Justice Committee (CJ)
This bill requires juvenile civil citation programs or other similar diversion programs to be established at the local level. Currently, these local diversion programs are discretionary. The bill specifies that they may be operated by any number of entities, including law enforcement, the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), a juvenile assessment center, the county or city, or an entity selected by the county or city. Unlike current law, only first-time juvenile misdemeanants will be eligible to participate in a civil citation program. (Current law allows second-time juvenile misdemeanants to participate.) The bill also provides that intervention services will be required during the civil citation program if a needs assessment determines such services are necessary.
Finally, the DJJ is required to encourage and assist with the implementation and improvement of civil citation programs or other similar diversion programs around the state. The DJJ must also develop guidelines for the civil citation program which include intervention services. The guidelines must be based on proven civil citation programs or other similar diversion programs within Florida.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2011.
Vote: Senate 38-0; House 119-0