The Florida Senate

943.01  Short title.

943.02  Definitions.

943.03  Department of Law Enforcement.

943.031  Florida Violent Crime Council.

943.04  Criminal Justice Investigations and Forensic Science Program; creation; investigative, forensic, and related authority.

943.041  Crimes Against Children Criminal Profiling Program.

943.042  Violent Crime Emergency Account within the Department of Law Enforcement Operating Trust Fund.

943.043  Toll-free telephone number; Internet notification; sexual predator and sexual offender information.

943.0435  Sexual offenders required to register with the department; penalty.

943.045  Definitions; ss. 943.045-943.08.

943.046  Notification of criminal offender information.

943.05  Criminal Justice Information Program; duties; crime reports.

943.051  Criminal justice information; collection and storage; fingerprinting.

943.0515  Retention of criminal history records of minors.

943.052  Disposition reporting.

943.0525  Criminal justice information systems; use by state and local agencies.

943.053  Dissemination of criminal justice information; fees.

943.0535  Aliens, criminal records.

943.054  Exchange of federal criminal history records and information.

943.0542  Access to criminal history information provided by the department to qualified entities.

943.0543  National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact; ratification and implementation.

943.0544  Criminal justice information network and information management.

943.055  Records and audit.

943.056  Access to, review and challenge of, criminal history records.

943.057  Access to criminal justice information for research or statistical purposes.

943.0575  Public access to records.

943.0581  Administrative expunction.

943.0585  Court-ordered expunction of criminal history records.

943.059  Court-ordered sealing of criminal history records.

943.06  Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council.

943.08  Duties; Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council.

943.081  Public safety system information technology resources; guiding principles.

943.085  Legislative intent with respect to upgrading the quality of law enforcement officers and correctional officers.

943.09  Criminal Justice Professionalism Program.

943.10  Definitions; ss. 943.085-943.255.

943.11  Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission; membership; meetings; compensation.

943.12  Powers, duties, and functions of the commission.

943.125  Law enforcement agency accreditation.

943.13  Officers' minimum qualifications for employment or appointment.

943.131  Temporary employment or appointment; minimum basic recruit training exemption.

943.133  Responsibilities of employing agency, commission, and program with respect to compliance with employment qualifications and the conduct of background investigations; injunctive relief.

943.135  Requirements for continued employment.

943.137  Establishment of qualifications and standards above the minimum.

943.139  Notice of employment, appointment, or separation; response by the officer; duty of commission.

943.1395  Certification for employment or appointment; concurrent certification; reemployment or reappointment; inactive status; revocation; suspension; investigation.

943.1397  Officer certification examinations; fee.

943.14  Criminal justice training schools; certificates and diplomas; exemptions; injunctive relief; fines.

943.146  Securing of copyrights by the department and sale of department work products.

943.16  Payment of tuition or officer certification examination fee by employing agency.

943.17  Basic recruit, advanced, and career development training programs; participation; cost; evaluation.

943.1701  Uniform statewide policies and procedures; duty of the commission.

943.1702  Collection of statistics on domestic violence.

943.171  Basic skills training in handling domestic violence cases.

943.1715  Basic skills training relating to diverse populations.

943.1716  Continued employment training relating to diverse populations.

943.172  Basic skills training in victims assistance and rights.

943.1725  Basic skills training on human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

943.1728  Basic skills training relating to the protection of archaeological sites.

943.1729  Skills training relating to community policing.

943.17291  Basic skills training in juvenile sexual offender investigation.

943.17295  Continued employment training relating to juvenile sexual offender investigation.

943.173  Examinations; administration; materials not public records; disposal of materials.

943.175  Inservice and specialized training.

943.1755  Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute.

943.1757  Criminal justice executives; training; policy report.

943.1758  Curriculum revision for diverse populations; skills training.

943.18  Compensation and benefits study; recommendation.

943.19  Saving clause.

943.22  Salary incentive program for full-time officers.

943.25  Criminal justice trust funds; source of funds; use of funds.

943.253  Exemption; elected officers.

943.255  Effect of chs. 80-71 and 81-24 on prior rules and administrative proceedings.

943.256  Criminal justice selection centers; creation.

943.2561  Definitions.

943.2562  Advisory boards.

943.2563  Advisory board organization; center oversight.

943.2564  Center supervision; role of directing school or directing agency.

943.2565  Centralized information centers on prospective employment candidates.

943.2566  Promotions; feasibility study to establish pool of evaluators to assess qualifications.

943.2567  Operation and administration accounts; annual budget.

943.2568  Advisory boards; expense reimbursement.

943.2569  Annual audits of each center.

943.257  Independent audit documentation subject to inspection.

943.31  Legislative intent.

943.32  Statewide criminal analysis laboratory system.

943.325  Blood specimen testing for DNA analysis.

943.33  State-operated criminal analysis laboratories.

943.34  Powers and duties of department in relation to state-operated laboratories.

943.35  Funding for existing laboratories.

943.355  Florida Crime Laboratory Council.

943.356  Duties of council.

943.36  Submission of annual budget.

943.361  Statewide criminal analysis laboratory system; funding through fine surcharges.

943.362  Forfeiture and Investigative Support Trust Fund.

943.365  Federal Law Enforcement Trust Fund.

943.37  Option to become state-operated laboratory; operational control.

943.401  Public assistance fraud.

943.01  Short title.--This chapter may be cited as the "Department of Law Enforcement Act."

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-386; s. 2, ch. 78-347; s. 2, ch. 98-94.

943.02  Definitions.--For the purpose of this chapter:

(1)  "Department" means the Department of Law Enforcement.

(2)  "Executive director" means the executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement.

History.--s. 2, ch. 74-386; s. 2, ch. 78-347.

943.03  Department of Law Enforcement.--

(1)  The executive director shall have served at least 5 years as a police executive or possess training and experience in police affairs or public administration and shall be a bona fide resident of the state. It shall be the duty of the executive director to supervise, direct, coordinate, and administer all activities of the department and to exercise the duties prescribed for the director of the Florida Mutual Aid Plan under part I of chapter 23, known as the Florida Mutual Aid Act.

(2)  Upon specific direction by the Governor in writing to the executive director, the department shall investigate the misconduct, in connection with their official duties, of public officials and employees and of members of public corporations and authorities subject to suspension or removal by the Governor. All records related to such investigation, including any correspondence from the Governor, are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) until such time as the investigation is completed or ceases to be active. For purposes of this subsection, an investigation is considered "active" while the investigation is being conducted by the department with a reasonable, good faith belief that it may lead to the filing of criminal proceedings or gubernatorial action. An investigation does not cease to be active if the department is proceeding with reasonable dispatch and there is a good faith belief that either gubernatorial action or action by the department or other administrative or law enforcement agency may be initiated.

(3)  The department shall employ such administrative, clerical, technical, and professional personnel, including directors, as are required, at salaries to be established by the department, to perform such duties as the department may prescribe.

(4)  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this chapter conferring duties upon it.

(5)  The department may make and enter into all contracts and agreements with other agencies, organizations, associations, corporations, individuals, or federal agencies as the department may determine are necessary, expedient, or incidental to the performance of its duties or the execution of its power under this chapter. However, nothing in this chapter shall authorize the employment of private investigative personnel by contract to conduct investigations.

(6)(a)  The department shall be governed by all laws regulating the purchase of supplies and equipment as other state agencies and may enter into contracts with other state agencies to make photographs and photostats, to transmit information by teletype, and to perform all those services consonant with the purpose of this chapter.

(b)  It may use without charge the technical personnel and equipment of any state agency.

(7)  The powers herein enumerated, or set forth in other parts of this chapter, shall be deemed an exercise of the state police power for the protection of the welfare, health, peace, safety, and morals of the people and shall be liberally construed.

(8)  The Department of Legal Affairs shall be the legal adviser to and shall represent the department.

(9)  The department may accept for any of its purposes and functions under this chapter any and all donations of property, real, personal, or mixed, and grants of money, from any governmental unit or public agency or from any institution, person, firm, or corporation. Such moneys shall be deposited, disbursed, and administered in a trust fund as provided by law.

(10)  The department shall make an annual report of its activities to the Governor and to the Legislature and include in such report its recommendations for additional legislation.

(11)  The department shall establish headquarters in Tallahassee. The Department of Management Services shall furnish the department with proper and adequate housing for its operation.

(12)  The department may establish, implement, and maintain a statewide, integrated violent crime information system capable of transmitting criminal justice information relating to violent criminal offenses to and between criminal justice agencies throughout the state.

(13)  ¹Subject to sufficient annual appropriations, the department shall develop and maintain, in consultation with the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council under s. 943.08, an information system that supports the administration of the state's criminal and juvenile justice system in compliance with ²this chapter and other provisions of law. The department shall serve as custodial manager of the statewide telecommunications and data network developed and maintained as part of the information system authorized by this subsection.

History.--ss. 3, 9, ch. 74-386; s. 5, ch. 81-142; s. 1, ch. 89-3; s. 314, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 4, ch. 93-204; s. 7, ch. 93-405; s. 440, ch. 96-406; s. 3, ch. 98-94; s. 226, ch. 98-200; s. 2, ch. 98-251.

¹Note.--As amended by s. 3, ch. 98-94. Amendment by s. 2, ch. 98-251, does not include the phrase "Subject to sufficient annual appropriations,"

²Note.--As amended by s. 3, ch. 98-94. Amendment by s. 2, ch. 98-251, uses the wording "s. 943.05 and other provisions of law."

943.031  Florida Violent Crime Council.--The Legislature finds that there is a need to develop and implement a statewide strategy to address violent criminal activity. In recognition of this need, the Florida Violent Crime Council is created within the department. The council shall serve in an advisory capacity to the department.

(1)  MEMBERSHIP.--The council shall consist of 12 members, as follows:

(a)  The Attorney General or a designate.

(b)  A designate of the executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement.

(c)  The secretary of the Department of Corrections or a designate.

(d)  The Secretary of Juvenile Justice or a designate.

(e)  The Commissioner of Education or a designate.

(f)  The president of the Florida Network of Victim/Witness Services, Inc., or a designate.

(g)  Six members appointed by the Governor, consisting of two sheriffs, two chiefs of police, one medical examiner, and one state attorney.

The Governor, when making appointments under this subsection, must take into consideration representation by geography, population, ethnicity, and other relevant factors to ensure that the membership of the council is representative of the state at large.

(2)  TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP; OFFICERS; COMPENSATION; STAFF.--

(a)  Members appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for terms of 2 years. The other members are standing members of the council. In no event shall a member serve beyond the time he or she ceases to hold the office or employment which was the basis for appointment to the council. In the event of a vacancy, an appointment to fill the vacancy shall be only for the unexpired term.

(b)  The Legislature finds that the council serves a legitimate state, county, and municipal purpose and that service on the council is consistent with a member's principal service in a public office or employment. Membership on the council does not disqualify a member from holding any other public office or being employed by a public entity, except that no member of the Legislature shall serve on the council.

(c)  The members of the council shall elect a chair and a vice chair every 2 years, to serve for a 2-year term. As deemed appropriate, other officers may be elected by the members.

(d)  Members of the council shall serve without compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses pursuant to s. 112.061. Reimbursements made pursuant to this paragraph shall be paid from the Violent Crime Emergency Account within the Department of Law Enforcement Operating Trust Fund.

(e)  The department shall provide the council with staff necessary to assist the council in the performance of its duties.

(3)  MEETINGS.--The council must meet at least semiannually. Additional meetings may be held when deemed appropriate by the chair or a majority of the council members. A majority of the members of the council constitutes a quorum.

(4)  DUTIES OF COUNCIL.--The council shall provide advice and make recommendations, as necessary, to the executive director of the department.

(a)  The council may advise the executive director on the feasibility of undertaking initiatives which include, but are not limited to, the following:

1.  Establishing a program which provides grants to criminal justice agencies that develop and implement effective violent crime prevention and investigative programs. The grant program shall include an innovations grant program to provide startup funding for new initiatives by local and state law enforcement agencies to combat violent crime, including, but not limited to, initiatives such as:

a.  Provision of enhanced community-oriented policing.

b.  Provision of additional undercover officers and other investigative officers to assist with violent crime investigations in emergency situations.

2.  Creating a criminal justice research and behavioral science center. The center shall provide key support to local law enforcement agencies undertaking unique or emergency violent crime investigations, including the mobilization of special task forces to directly target violent crime in specific areas.

3.  Expanding the use of automated fingerprint identification systems at the state and local level.

4.  Identifying methods to prevent violent crime.

5.  Enhancing criminal justice training programs which address violent crime.

6.  Developing and promoting crime prevention services and educational programs that serve the public, including, but not limited to:

a.  Enhanced victim and witness counseling services that also provide crisis intervention, information referral, transportation, and emergency financial assistance.

b.  A well-publicized rewards program for the apprehension and conviction of criminals who perpetrate violent crimes.

7.  Enhancing information sharing and assistance in the criminal justice community by expanding the use of community partnerships and community policing programs. Such expansion may include the use of civilian employees or volunteers to relieve law enforcement officers of clerical work in order to enable the officers to concentrate on street visibility within the community.

(b)  Additionally, the council shall:

1.  Advise the executive director on the creation of regional violent crime investigation coordinating teams.

2.  Develop criteria for the disbursement of funds from the Violent Crime Emergency Account within the Department of Law Enforcement Operating Trust Fund.

3.  Review and approve all requests for disbursement of funds from the Violent Crime Emergency Account within the Department of Law Enforcement Operating Trust Fund. An expedited approval procedure shall be established for rapid disbursement of funds in emergency situations.

4.  Advise the executive director on the development of a statewide violent crime information system.

(5)  REPORTS.--The council shall report annually on its activities, on or before December 30 of each calendar year, to the executive director, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the chairs of the Committees on Criminal Justice in both chambers. The executive director must respond to the annual report and any other recommendations of the council in writing. All written responses must be forwarded to the council members, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the chairs of the Committees on Criminal Justice in both chambers.

(6)  VICTIM AND WITNESS PROTECTION REVIEW COMMITTEE.--

(a)  The Victim and Witness Protection Review Committee is created within the Florida Violent Crime Council, consisting of the statewide prosecutor or a state attorney, a sheriff, a chief of police, and the designee of the executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement. The committee shall be appointed from the membership of the council by the chair of the council after the chair has consulted with the executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement. Committee members shall meet in conjunction with the meetings of the council.

(b)  The committee shall:

1.  Develop criteria for disbursing funds to reimburse law enforcement agencies for costs associated with providing victim and witness protective or temporary relocation services.

2.  Review and approve or deny, in whole or in part, all reimbursement requests submitted by law enforcement agencies.

(c)  The lead law enforcement agency providing victim or witness protective or temporary relocation services pursuant to the provisions of s. 914.25 may submit a request for reimbursement to the Victim and Witness Protection Review Committee in a format approved by the committee. The lead law enforcement agency shall submit such reimbursement request on behalf of all law enforcement agencies that cooperated in providing protective or temporary relocation services related to a particular criminal investigation or prosecution. As part of the reimbursement request, the lead law enforcement agency must indicate how any reimbursement proceeds will be distributed among the agencies that provided protective or temporary relocation services.

(d)  The committee, in its discretion, may use funds available to the committee to provide all or partial reimbursement to the lead law enforcement agency for such costs, or may decline to provide any reimbursement.

(7)  CONFIDENTIALITY; EXEMPTED PORTIONS OF COUNCIL MEETINGS AND RECORDS.--

(a)1.  The Legislature finds that during limited portions of the meetings of the Florida Violent Crime Council it is necessary that the council be presented with and discuss details, information, and documents related to active criminal investigations or matters constituting active criminal intelligence, as those concepts are defined by s. 119.011. These presentations and discussions are necessary for the council to make its funding decisions as required by the Legislature. The Legislature finds that to reveal the contents of documents containing active criminal investigative or intelligence information or to allow active criminal investigative or active criminal intelligence matters to be discussed in a meeting open to the public negatively impacts the ability of law enforcement agencies to efficiently continue their investigative or intelligence gathering activities. The Legislature finds that information coming before the council that pertains to active criminal investigations or intelligence should remain confidential and exempt from public disclosure. The Legislature finds that the Florida Violent Crime Council may, by declaring only those portions of council meetings in which active criminal investigative or active criminal intelligence information is to be presented or discussed closed to the public, assure an appropriate balance between the policy of this state that meetings be public and the policy of this state to facilitate efficient law enforcement efforts.

2.  The Legislature finds that it is a public necessity that portions of the meetings of the Florida Violent Crime Council be closed when the confidential details, information, and documents related to active criminal investigations or matters constituting active criminal intelligence are discussed. The Legislature further finds that it is no less a public necessity that portions of public records generated at closed council meetings, such as tape recordings, minutes, and notes, memorializing the discussions regarding such confidential details, information, and documents related to active criminal investigations or matters constituting active criminal intelligence, also shall be held confidential.

(b)  The Florida Violent Crime Council shall be considered a "criminal justice agency" within the definition of s. 119.011(4).

(c)1.  The Florida Violent Crime Council may close portions of meetings during which the council will hear or discuss active criminal investigative information or active criminal intelligence information, and such portions of meetings shall be exempt from the provisions of s. 286.011 and s. 24(b), Art. I of the State Constitution, provided that the following conditions are met:

a.  The chair of the council shall advise the council at a public meeting that, in connection with the performance of a council duty, it is necessary that the council hear or discuss active criminal investigative information or active criminal intelligence information.

b.  The chair's declaration of necessity for closure and the specific reasons for such necessity shall be stated in writing in a document that shall be a public record and shall be filed with the official records of the council.

c.  The entire closed session shall be recorded. The recording shall include the times of commencement and termination of the closed session, all discussion and proceedings, and the names of all persons present. No portion of the session shall be off the record. Such recording shall be maintained by the council, and is exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution until such time as the criminal investigative information or criminal intelligence information that justifies closure ceases to be active, at which time the portion of the record related to the no longer active information or intelligence shall be open for public inspection and copying.

The exemption in this paragraph is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act of 1995 in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2002, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.

2.  Only members of the council, Department of Law Enforcement staff supporting the council's function, and other persons whose presence has been authorized by the council shall be allowed to attend the exempted portions of the council meetings. The council shall assure that any closure of its meetings as authorized by this section is limited so that the general policy of this state in favor of public meetings is maintained.

(d)  Those portions of any public record, such as a tape recording, minutes, and notes, generated during that portion of a Florida Violent Crime Council meeting which is closed to the public pursuant to this section, which contain information relating to active criminal investigations or matters constituting active criminal intelligence, are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution until such criminal investigative information or criminal intelligence information ceases to be active. The exemptions in this paragraph are subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act of 1995 in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2002, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.

History.--s. 1, ch. 93-204; s. 1, ch. 94-215; s. 2, ch. 95-161; s. 32, ch. 96-388; s. 2, ch. 97-52; s. 1, ch. 97-73; s. 1, ch. 97-302; s. 9, ch. 98-251.

943.04  Criminal Justice Investigations and Forensic Science Program; creation; investigative, forensic, and related authority.--

(1)  There is created a Criminal Justice Investigations and Forensic Science Program within the Department of Law Enforcement. The program shall be supervised by personnel who shall be employed by the department upon the recommendation of the executive director. Such personnel shall supervise, direct, coordinate, and administer activities of the program which are assigned by the executive director.

(2)(a)  In carrying out the investigative services of the Criminal Justice Investigations and Forensic Science Program and under appropriate rules and regulations adopted by the department, upon written order of the Governor, or by direction of the Legislature acting by a concurrent resolution, and at the direction of the executive director, the department may investigate violations of any of the criminal laws of the state, and shall have authority to bear arms, make arrests and apply for, serve and execute search warrants, arrest warrants, capias, and other process of the court.

(b)  Investigations may also be conducted in connection with the faithful execution and effective enforcement of the laws of the state with reference to organized crime, vice, racketeering, rioting, inciting to riot, and insurrection.

(c)  The department may also engage in such other investigative activities as will aid local law enforcement officers in preventing or solving crimes and controlling criminal activity.

(d)  All investigators employed by the department shall be considered law enforcement officers for all purposes. The executive director shall have the authority to designate the person occupying any appropriate position within the department as a law enforcement officer, if such person is qualified under the department's personnel regulations relating to agents and is certified pursuant to s. 943.1395(1), and all persons thus employed by the department shall be considered law enforcement officers for all purposes and shall be entitled to the privileges, protection, and benefits of ss. 112.19, 121.051, 122.34, and 870.05.

(3)  Whenever it shall appear to the department that there is cause for the prosecution of a crime, the department shall refer the evidence of such crime to the officials authorized to conduct the prosecution.

(4)(a)  The department is authorized to establish regional violent crime investigation coordinating teams composed of persons including, but not limited to, forensic investigators and law enforcement officers from both state and local criminal justice agencies. The functions of a regional violent crime investigation coordinating team include:

1.  Responding to violent crimes in a timely and comprehensive manner, utilizing analytic, forensic, investigative, and technical expertise and equipment to provide key support to local law enforcement agencies undertaking difficult violent crime investigations.

2.  Facilitating communication and coordination among state and local criminal justice agencies, including facilitating and coordinating the use of state law enforcement resources for concentrated task force efforts in violent crime investigations constituting emergency situations within the region.

(b)  Upon the request of a sheriff, a police chief, or other appropriate law enforcement administrator, the executive director may deploy a regional violent crime investigation team to assist a law enforcement agency in a violent crime investigation.

(5)  In carrying out the services of the Criminal Justice Investigations and Forensic Science Program and under appropriate rules and regulations adopted by the department, the department may:

(a)  Adopt and recommend cooperative policies for coordinating the law enforcement work of all state, county, and municipal agencies that are responsible for law enforcement.

(b)  Assist local law enforcement agencies by providing consultation, research, and planning assistance, training, and field technical services and engage in other activities to aid local law enforcement officers in preventing and solving crimes and controlling criminal activity.

(c)  Provide forensic services to state, local, and other law enforcement agencies and criminal justice agencies and adopt policies, procedures, and standards for operating state-operated crime laboratories.

History.--s. 4, ch. 74-386; s. 5, ch. 76-247; s. 1, ch. 77-127; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 2, ch. 78-347; s. 34, ch. 79-8; s. 1, ch. 86-187; s. 2, ch. 89-3; s. 2, ch. 93-204; s. 2, ch. 94-215; s. 4, ch. 98-94.

943.041  Crimes Against Children Criminal Profiling Program.--There is created the Crimes Against Children Criminal Profiling Program within the department. The program shall perform investigative, intelligence, research, and training activities related to crimes against children.

History.--s. 3, ch. 89-3; s. 9, ch. 94-265.

943.042  Violent Crime Emergency Account within the Department of Law Enforcement Operating Trust Fund.--

(1)  There is created a Violent Crime Emergency Account within the Department of Law Enforcement Operating Trust Fund. The account shall be used to provide emergency supplemental funds to:

(a)  State and local law enforcement agencies which are involved in complex and lengthy violent crime investigations;

(b)  State and local law enforcement agencies which are involved in violent crime investigations which constitute a significant emergency within the state; or

(c)  Counties which demonstrate a significant hardship or an inability to cover extraordinary expenses associated with a violent crime trial.

(2)  In consultation with the Florida Violent Crime Council, the department must promulgate rules which, at minimum, address the following:

(a)  Criteria for determining what constitutes a complex and lengthy violent crime investigation for the purpose of this section.

(b)  Criteria for determining those violent crime investigations which constitute a significant emergency within the state for the purpose of this section.

(c)  Criteria for determining the circumstances under which counties may receive emergency supplemental funds for extraordinary expenses associated with a violent crime trial under this section.

(d)  Guidelines which establish limits on the amount that may be disbursed on a single investigation.

(e)  Procedures for law enforcement agencies to use when applying for funds.

(f)  Annual evaluation and audit of the trust fund.

(3)(a)  A disbursement for the Violent Crime Emergency Account shall not be used to supplant existing appropriations of state and local law enforcement agencies and counties.

(b)  The moneys placed in the account shall consist of appropriations from the Legislature or moneys received from any other public or private source. Any local law enforcement agency that acquires funds pursuant to the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act is authorized to donate a portion of such funds to the account.

History.--s. 3, ch. 93-204; s. 3, ch. 94-215; s. 2, ch. 97-302.

943.043  Toll-free telephone number; Internet notification; sexual predator and sexual offender information.--

(1)  The department may notify the public through the Internet of any information regarding sexual predators and sexual offenders which is not confidential and exempt from public disclosure under s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.

(2)  The department shall provide, through a toll-free telephone number, public access to registration information regarding sexual predators and sexual offenders and may provide other information reported to the department which is not exempt from public disclosure.

(3)  The department shall provide to any person, upon request and at a reasonable cost determined by the department, a copy of the photograph of any sexual offender or sexual predator which the department maintains in its files and a printed summary of the information that is available to the public under this section.

(4)  The department, its personnel, and any individual or entity acting at the request or upon the direction of the department are immune from civil liability for damages for good faith compliance with this section and will be presumed to have acted in good faith by reporting information. The presumption of good faith is not overcome if technical or clerical errors are made by the department, its personnel, or any individual or entity acting at the request or upon the direction of the department in reporting the information, if the department and its personnel are unable to report information because the information has not been provided or reported by a person or agency required to provide or report the information to the department, or if the department, its personnel, or any individual or entity acting at the request or upon the direction of the department reports information that was falsely reported without the knowledge of the department, its personnel, or such individual or entity.

History.--s. 7, ch. 97-299; s. 6, ch. 98-81.

943.0435  Sexual offenders required to register with the department; penalty.--

(1)  As used in this section, the term:

(a)  "Sexual offender" means a person who has been:

1.  Convicted of committing, or attempting, soliciting, or conspiring to commit, any of the criminal offenses proscribed in the following statutes in this state or similar offenses in another jurisdiction: s. 787.01 or s. 787.02, where the victim is a minor and the defendant is not the victim's parent; s. 787.025; chapter 794; s. 796.03; s. 800.04; s. 825.1025; s. 827.071; s. 847.0133; s. 847.0135; s. 847.0145; or any similar offense committed in this state which has been redesignated from a former statute number to one of those listed in this subparagraph.

2.  Released on or after October 1, 1997, from the sanction imposed for any conviction of an offense described in subparagraph 1. For purposes of subparagraph 1., a sanction imposed in this state or in any other jurisdiction includes, but is not limited to, a fine, probation, community control, parole, conditional release, control release, or incarceration in a state prison, federal prison, private correctional facility, or local detention facility.

(b)  "Convicted" means that, regarding the person's offense, there has been a determination of guilt as a result of a trial or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld. Conviction of a similar offense includes, but is not limited to, a conviction by a federal or military tribunal, including courts-martial conducted by the Armed Forces of the United States, and includes a conviction in any state of the United States.

(c)  "Permanent residence" and "temporary residence" have the same meaning ascribed in s. 775.21.

(2)  A sexual offender shall initially report in person at an office of the department, or at the sheriff's office in the county in which the offender establishes or maintains a permanent or temporary residence, within 48 hours after establishing permanent or temporary residence in this state. The sexual offender shall provide his or her name, date of birth, social security number, race, sex, height, weight, hair and eye color, tattoos or other identifying marks, occupation and place of employment, address of permanent or legal residence or address of any current temporary residence, including a rural route address and a post office box, date and place of each conviction, and a brief description of the crime or crimes committed by the offender. A post office box shall not be provided in lieu of a physical residential address. If the sexual offender's place of residence is a motor vehicle, trailer, mobile home, or manufactured home, as defined in chapter 320, the sexual offender shall also provide to the department written notice of the vehicle identification number; the license tag number; the registration number; and a description, including color scheme, of the motor vehicle, trailer, mobile home, or manufactured home. If the sexual offender's place of residence is a vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat, as defined in chapter 327, the sexual offender shall also provide to the department written notice of the hull identification number; the manufacturer's serial number; the name of the vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat; the registration number; and a description, including color scheme, of the vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat. If a sexual offender reports at the sheriff's office, the sheriff shall take a photograph and a set of fingerprints of the offender and forward the photographs and fingerprints to the department, along with the information provided by the sexual offender.

(3)  Within 48 hours after the initial report required under subsection (2), a sexual offender shall report in person at a driver's license office of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. At the driver's license office the sexual offender shall:

(a)  If otherwise qualified, secure a Florida driver's license, renew a Florida driver's license, or secure an identification card. The sexual offender shall identify himself or herself as a sexual offender who is required to comply with this section and shall provide proof that the sexual offender initially reported as required in subsection (2). The sexual offender shall provide any of the information specified in subsection (2), if requested. The sexual offender shall submit to the taking of a photograph for use in issuing a driver's license, renewed license, or identification card, and for use by the department in maintaining current records of sexual offenders.

(b)  Pay the costs assessed by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for issuing or renewing a driver's license or identification card as required by this section.

(c)  Provide, upon request, any additional information necessary to confirm the identity of the sexual offender, including a set of fingerprints.

(4)  Each time a sexual offender's driver's license or identification card is subject to renewal, and within 48 hours after any change in the offender's permanent or temporary residence, the offender shall report in person to a driver's license office, and shall be subject to the requirements specified in subsection (3). The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shall forward to the department all photographs and information provided by sexual offenders. Notwithstanding the restrictions set forth in s. 322.142, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is authorized to release a reproduction of a color-photograph or digital-image license to the Department of Law Enforcement for purposes of public notification of sexual offenders as provided in ss. 943.043, 943.0435, and 944.606.

(5)  This section does not apply to a sexual offender who is also a sexual predator, as defined in s. 775.21. A sexual predator must register as required under s. 775.21.

(6)  The department shall verify the addresses of sexual offenders who are not under the care, custody, control, or supervision of the Department of Corrections in a manner that is consistent with federal requirements.

(7)  A sexual offender who intends to establish residence in another state or jurisdiction shall notify the sheriff of the county of current residence or the department within 48 hours before the date he or she intends to leave this state to establish residence in another state or jurisdiction. The notification must include the address, municipality, county, and state of intended residence. The sheriff shall promptly provide to the department the information received from the sexual offender. The department shall notify the statewide law enforcement agency, or a comparable agency, in the intended state or jurisdiction of residence of the sexual offender's intended residence. The failure of a sexual offender to provide his or her intended place of residence is punishable as provided in subsection (9).

(8)  A sexual offender who indicates his or her intent to reside in another state or jurisdiction and later decides to remain in this state shall, within 48 hours after the date upon which the sexual offender indicated he or she would leave this state, notify the sheriff or department, whichever agency is the agency to which the sexual offender reported the intended change of residence, of his or her intent to remain in this state. If the sheriff is notified by the sexual offender that he or she intends to remain in this state, the sheriff shall promptly report this information to the department. A sexual offender who reports his or her intent to reside in another state or jurisdiction but who remains in this state without reporting to the sheriff or the department in the manner required by this subsection commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(9)  A sexual offender who does not comply with the requirements of this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(10)  The department, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Department of Corrections, the personnel of those departments, and any individual or entity acting at the request or upon the direction of any of those departments are immune from civil liability for damages for good faith compliance with the requirements of this section, and shall be presumed to have acted in good faith in compiling, recording, and reporting information. The presumption of good faith is not overcome if a technical or clerical error is made by the department, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Department of Corrections, the personnel of those departments, or any individual or entity acting at the request or upon the direction of any of those departments in compiling or providing information, or if information is incomplete or incorrect because a sexual offender fails to report or falsely reports his or her current place of permanent or temporary residence.

(11)  A sexual offender must maintain registration with the department for the duration of his or her life, unless the sexual offender has had his or her civil rights restored or has received a full pardon or has had a conviction set aside in a postconviction proceeding for any felony sex offense that meets the criteria for classifying the person as a sexual offender for purposes of registration. However, a sexual offender who has been lawfully released from confinement, supervision, or sanction, whichever is later, for at least 20 years and has not been arrested for any felony or misdemeanor offense since release may petition the criminal division of the circuit court of the circuit in which the sexual offender resides for the purpose of removing the requirement for registration as a sexual offender. The court may grant or deny such relief if the offender demonstrates to the court that he or she has not been arrested for any crime since release, the requested relief complies with federal standards applicable to the removal of registration requirements for a sexual offender, and the court is otherwise satisfied that the offender is not a current or potential threat to public safety. The state attorney in the circuit in which the petition is filed must be given notice of the petition at least 3 weeks before the hearing on the matter. The state attorney may present evidence in opposition to the requested relief or may otherwise demonstrate the reasons why the petition should be denied. If the court denies the petition, the court may set a future date at which the sexual offender may again petition the court for relief, subject to the standards for relief provided in this subsection. The department shall remove an offender from classification as a sexual offender for purposes of registration if the offender provides to the department a certified copy of the court's written findings or order that indicates that the offender is no longer required to comply with the requirements for registration as a sexual offender.

History.--s. 8, ch. 97-299; s. 7, ch. 98-81; s. 114, ch. 99-3.

943.045  Definitions; ss. 943.045-943.08.--The following words and phrases as used in ss. 943.045-943.08 shall have the following meanings:

(1)  "Criminal justice information system" means a system, including the equipment, facilities, procedures, agreements, and organizations thereof, for the collection, processing, preservation, or dissemination of criminal justice information.

(2)  "Administration of criminal justice" means performing functions of detection, apprehension, detention, pretrial release, posttrial release, prosecution, adjudication, correctional supervision, or rehabilitation of accused persons or criminal offenders by governmental agencies. The administration of criminal justice includes criminal identification activities and the collection, processing, storage, and dissemination of criminal justice information by governmental agencies.

(3)  "Criminal justice information" means information on individuals collected or disseminated as a result of arrest, detention, or the initiation of a criminal proceeding by criminal justice agencies, including arrest record information, correctional and release information, criminal history record information, conviction record information, identification record information, and wanted persons record information. The term shall not include statistical or analytical records or reports in which individuals are not identified and from which their identities are not ascertainable. The term shall not include criminal intelligence information or criminal investigative information.

(4)  "Criminal history information" means information collected by criminal justice agencies on persons, which information consists of identifiable descriptions and notations of arrests, detentions, indictments, informations, or other formal criminal charges and the disposition thereof. The term does not include identification information, such as fingerprint records, if the information does not indicate involvement of the person in the criminal justice system.

(5)  "Criminal intelligence information" means information collected by a criminal justice agency with respect to an identifiable person or group in an effort to anticipate, prevent, or monitor possible criminal activity.

(6)  "Criminal investigative information" means information about an identifiable person or group, compiled by a criminal justice agency in the course of conducting a criminal investigation of a specific criminal act or omission, including, but not limited to, information derived from laboratory tests, reports of investigators, informants, or any type of surveillance.

(7)  "Record" means any and all documents, writings, computer memory, and microfilm, and any other form in which facts are memorialized, irrespective of whether such record is an official record, public record, or admissible record or is merely a copy thereof.

(8)  "Comparable ordinance violation" means a violation of an ordinance having all the essential elements of a statutory misdemeanor or felony.

(9)  "Disposition" means details relating to the termination of an individual criminal defendant's relationship with a criminal justice agency, including information disclosing that the law enforcement agency has elected not to refer a matter to a prosecutor or that a prosecutor has elected not to commence criminal proceedings, that a court has dealt with the individual, or that the individual has been incarcerated, paroled, pardoned, released, or granted clemency. Dispositions include, but are not limited to, acquittals, dismissals, pleas, convictions, adjudications, youthful offender determinations, determinations of mental capacity, placements in intervention programs, pardons, probations, paroles, and releases from correctional institutions.

(10)  "Criminal justice agency" means:

(a)  A court.

(b)  The department.

(c)  The Department of Juvenile Justice.

(d)  The protective investigations component of the Department of Children and Family Services, which investigates the crimes of abuse and neglect.

(e)  Any other governmental agency or subunit thereof which performs the administration of criminal justice pursuant to a statute or rule of court and which allocates a substantial part of its annual budget to the administration of criminal justice.

(11)  "Dissemination" means the transmission of information, whether orally or in writing.

(12)  "Research or statistical project" means any program, project, or component the purpose of which is to develop, measure, evaluate, or otherwise advance the state of knowledge in a particular area. The term does not include intelligence, investigative, or other information-gathering activities in which information is obtained for purposes directly related to enforcement of the criminal laws.

(13)  "Expunction of a criminal history record" means the court-ordered physical destruction or obliteration of a record or portion of a record by any criminal justice agency having custody thereof, or as prescribed by the court issuing the order, except that criminal history records in the custody of the department must be retained in all cases for purposes of evaluating subsequent requests by the subject of the record for sealing or expunction, or for purposes of recreating the record in the event an order to expunge is vacated by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(14)  "Sealing of a criminal history record" means the preservation of a record under such circumstances that it is secure and inaccessible to any person not having a legal right of access to the record or the information contained and preserved therein.

(15)  "Adjudicated guilty" means that a person has been found guilty and that the court has not withheld an adjudication of guilt.

(16)  "Criminal intelligence information system" means a system, including the equipment, facilities, procedures, agreement, and organizations thereof, for the collection, processing, preservation, or dissemination of criminal intelligence information.

(17)  "Criminal investigative information system" means a system, including the equipment, facilities, procedures, agreements, and organizations thereof, for the collection, processing, preservation, or dissemination of criminal investigative information.

(18)  "Criminal history record" means any nonjudicial record maintained by a criminal justice agency containing criminal history information.

History.--s. 6, ch. 74-386; s. 4, ch. 78-323; s. 1, ch. 80-409; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-10; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 2, ch. 83-265; ss. 1, 6, 7, ch. 87-177; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 1, ch. 92-73; s. 88, ch. 94-209; s. 162, ch. 98-403.

Note.--Former s. 943.07.

943.046  Notification of criminal offender information.--

(1)  Any state or local law enforcement agency may release to the public any criminal history information and other information regarding a criminal offender, including, but not limited to, public notification by the agency of the information, unless the information is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. However, this section does not contravene any provision of s. 943.053 which relates to the method by which an agency or individual may obtain a copy of an offender's criminal history record.

(2)  A state or local law enforcement agency and its personnel are immune from civil liability for the release of criminal history information or other information regarding a criminal offender, as provided by this section.

History.--s. 6, ch. 97-299.

943.05  Criminal Justice Information Program; duties; crime reports.--

(1)  There is created a Criminal Justice Information Program within the Department of Law Enforcement. The program shall be supervised by personnel who shall be employed by the department upon the recommendation of the executive director. Such personnel shall supervise, direct, coordinate, and administer activities of the program which are assigned by the executive director.

(2)  The program shall:

(a)  Establish and maintain a communication system capable of transmitting criminal justice information to and between criminal justice agencies.

(b)  Establish, implement, and maintain a statewide automated fingerprint identification system capable of, but not limited to, reading, classifying, matching, and storing fingerprints, rolled fingerprints, and latent fingerprints. The system shall be available to every criminal justice agency that is responsible for the administration of criminal justice.

(c)  Initiate a crime information system that shall be responsible for:

1.  Preparing and disseminating semiannual reports to the Governor, the Legislature, all criminal justice agencies, and, upon request, the public. Each report shall include, but not be limited to, types of crime reported, offenders, arrests, and victims.

2.  Upon request, providing other states and federal criminal justice agencies with Florida crime data. Where convenient, such data shall conform to definitions established by the requesting agencies.

3.  In cooperation with other criminal justice agencies, developing and maintaining an offender-based transaction system.

(d)  Adopt rules to effectively and efficiently implement, administer, manage, maintain, and use the automated fingerprint identification system and uniform offense reports and arrest reports. The rules shall be considered minimum requirements and shall not preclude a criminal justice agency from implementing its own enhancements.

(e)  Establish, implement, and maintain a Domestic and Repeat Violence Injunction Statewide Verification System capable of electronically transmitting information to and between criminal justice agencies relating to domestic violence injunctions and repeat violence injunctions issued by the courts throughout the state. Such information must include, but is not limited to, information as to the existence and status of any such injunction for verification purposes.

(f)  Establish, implement, and maintain a system for transmitting to and between criminal justice agencies information about writs of bodily attachment issued in connection with a court-ordered child support obligation. Such information shall include, but not be limited to, information necessary to identify the respondents and serve the writs.

History.--s. 5, ch. 74-386; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 2, ch. 78-347; s. 2, ch. 80-409; s. 1, ch. 85-224; s. 2, ch. 86-187; s. 2, ch. 87-177; s. 8, ch. 94-134; s. 8, ch. 94-135; s. 21, ch. 95-325; s. 1, ch. 95-427; s. 109, ch. 96-175; s. 3, ch. 96-190; s. 5, ch. 98-94.

943.051  Criminal justice information; collection and storage; fingerprinting.--

(1)  The Criminal Justice Information Program, acting as the state's central criminal justice information repository, shall:

(a)  Collect, process, store, maintain, and disseminate criminal justice information and records necessary to the operation of the criminal justice information system of the department.

(b)  Develop systems that inform one criminal justice agency of the criminal justice information held or maintained by other criminal justice agencies.

(2)  Each adult person charged with or convicted of a felony, misdemeanor, or violation of a comparable ordinance by a state, county, municipal, or other law enforcement agency shall be fingerprinted, and such fingerprints shall be submitted to the department in the manner prescribed by rule. Exceptions to this requirement for specified misdemeanors or comparable ordinance violations may be made by the department by rule.

(3)(a)  A minor who is charged with or found to have committed an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult shall be fingerprinted and the fingerprints shall be submitted to the department in the manner prescribed by rule.

(b)  A minor who is charged with or found to have committed the following offenses shall be fingerprinted and the fingerprints shall be submitted to the department:

1.  Assault, as defined in s. 784.011.

2.  Battery, as defined in s. 784.03.

3.  Carrying a concealed weapon, as defined in s. 790.01(1).

4.  Unlawful use of destructive devices or bombs, as defined in s. 790.1615(1).

5.  Negligent treatment of children, as defined in ¹s. 827.05.

6.  Assault or battery on a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, or other specified officers, as defined in s. 784.07(2)(a) and (b).

7.  Open carrying of a weapon, as defined in s. 790.053.

8.  Exposure of sexual organs, as defined in s. 800.03.

9.  Unlawful possession of a firearm, as defined in s. 790.22(5).

10.  Petit theft, as defined in s. 812.014(3).

11.  Cruelty to animals, as defined in s. 828.12(1).

12.  Arson, as defined in s. 806.031(1).

13.  Unlawful possession or discharge ²of a weapon or firearm at a school-sponsored event or on school property as defined in s. 790.115.

(4)  Fingerprints shall be used as the basis for criminal history records.

History.--s. 3, ch. 80-409; s. 2, ch. 85-224; s. 5, ch. 93-204; s. 1, ch. 94-126; s. 89, ch. 94-209; s. 12, ch. 95-184; s. 2, ch. 95-427; s. 2, ch. 96-293; s. 28, ch. 96-322; s. 6, ch. 98-94; s. 2, ch. 99-284; s. 6, ch. 99-300.

¹Note.--Repealed by s. 11, ch. 96-322, and s. 31, ch. 96-388.

²Note.--The word "of" was substituted for the word "or" by the editors to conform to context.

943.0515  Retention of criminal history records of minors.--

(1)(a)  The Criminal Justice Information Program shall retain the criminal history record of a minor who is classified as a serious or habitual juvenile offender or committed to a juvenile correctional facility or juvenile prison under chapter 985 for 5 years after the date the offender reaches 21 years of age, at which time the record shall be expunged unless it meets the criteria of paragraph (2)(a) or paragraph (2)(b).

(b)  If the minor is not classified as a serious or habitual juvenile offender or committed to a juvenile correctional facility or juvenile prison under chapter 985, the program shall retain the minor's criminal history record for 5 years after the date the minor reaches 19 years of age, at which time the record shall be expunged unless it meets the criteria of paragraph (2)(a) or paragraph (2)(b).

(2)(a)  If a person 18 years of age or older is charged with or convicted of a forcible felony and the person's criminal history record as a minor has not yet been destroyed, the person's record as a minor must be merged with the person's adult criminal history record and must be retained as a part of the person's adult record.

(b)  If, at any time, a minor is adjudicated as an adult for a forcible felony, the minor's criminal history record prior to the time of the minor's adjudication as an adult must be merged with his or her record as an adjudicated adult.

History.--s. 90, ch. 94-209; s. 20, ch. 96-388; s. 1845, ch. 97-102; s. 7, ch. 98-94; s. 56, ch. 98-280; s. 6, ch. 99-284.

943.052  Disposition reporting.--The Criminal Justice Information Program shall, by rule, establish procedures and a format for each criminal justice agency to monitor its records and submit reports, as provided by this section, to the program. The disposition report shall be developed by the program and shall include the offender-based transaction system number.

(1)  Each law enforcement officer or booking officer shall include on the arrest fingerprint card the offender-based transaction system number.

(2)  Each clerk of the court shall submit the uniform dispositions to the program or in a manner acceptable to the program. The report shall be submitted at least once a month and, when acceptable by the program, may be submitted in an automated format. The disposition report is mandatory for dispositions relating to adult offenders only.

(3)(a)  The Department of Corrections shall submit information to the program relating to the receipt or discharge of any person who is sentenced to a state correctional institution.

(b)  The Department of Juvenile Justice shall submit information to the program relating to the receipt or discharge of any minor who is found to have committed an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult, or is found to have committed a misdemeanor specified in s. 943.051(3), and is committed to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.

History.--s. 4, ch. 80-409; s. 3, ch. 85-224; s. 3, ch. 86-187; s. 3, ch. 87-177; s. 91, ch. 94-209; s. 8, ch. 98-94.

943.0525  Criminal justice information systems; use by state and local agencies.--As a condition of participating in any criminal justice information system established by the Criminal Justice Information Program or of receiving criminal justice information, state and local agencies shall be required to execute appropriate user agreements and to comply with applicable federal laws and regulations, this chapter, and rules of the department. The program shall, by rule, adopt a user agreement that must include, but is not limited to, compliance with the provisions of s. 943.052. The user agreement between the department and the criminal justice agency shall include conspicuous language that any criminal justice agency's failure to comply with laws, rules, and the user agreement shall constitute grounds for immediate termination of services. The department shall terminate the services to the criminal justice agency until the agency is in compliance. However, the department shall not terminate access to wanted persons or wanted property record information services to a law enforcement agency.

History.--s. 2, ch. 80-409; s. 495, ch. 81-259; s. 4, ch. 86-187; s. 9, ch. 98-94.

943.053  Dissemination of criminal justice information; fees.--

(1)  The Department of Law Enforcement shall disseminate criminal justice information only in accordance with federal and state laws, regulations, and rules.

(2)  Criminal justice information derived from federal criminal justice information systems or criminal justice information systems of other states shall not be disseminated in a manner inconsistent with the laws, regulations, or rules of the originating agency.

(3)  Criminal history information, including information relating to minors, compiled by the Criminal Justice Information Program from intrastate sources shall be available on a priority basis to criminal justice agencies for criminal justice purposes free of charge and, otherwise, to governmental agencies not qualified as criminal justice agencies on an approximate-cost basis. After providing the program with all known identifying information, persons in the private sector may be provided criminal history information upon tender of fees as established and in the manner prescribed by rule of the Department of Law Enforcement. Such fees shall approximate the actual cost of producing the record information. Fees may be waived by the executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement for good cause shown.

(4)  Criminal justice information provided by the Department of Law Enforcement shall be used only for the purpose stated in the request.

(5)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department shall provide to the Florida Department of Revenue ¹Child Support Enforcement access to Florida criminal records which are not exempt from disclosure under chapter 119, and to such information as may be lawfully available from other states via the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, for the purpose of locating subjects who owe or potentially owe child support or to whom such obligation is owed pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. Such information may be provided to child support enforcement authorities in other states for these specific purposes.

(6)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department shall provide to each office of the public defender on-line access to criminal records of this state which are not exempt from disclosure under chapter 119 or confidential under law. Such access shall be used solely in support of the duties of a public defender as provided in s. 27.51 or of any attorney specially assigned as authorized in s. 27.53 in the representation of any person who is determined indigent as provided in s. 27.52. The costs of establishing and maintaining such on-line access shall be borne by the office to which the access has been provided.

(7)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 943.0525, and any user agreements adopted pursuant thereto, and notwithstanding the confidentiality of sealed records as provided for in s. 943.059, the sheriff of any county that has contracted with a private entity to operate a county detention facility pursuant to the provisions of s. 951.062 shall provide that private entity, in a timely manner, copies of the Florida criminal history records for its inmates. The sheriff may assess a charge for the Florida criminal history records pursuant to the provisions of chapter 119. Sealed records received by the private entity under this section remain confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).

(8)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 943.0525, and any user agreements adopted pursuant thereto, and notwithstanding the confidentiality of sealed records as provided for in s. 943.059, the Department of Corrections shall provide, in a timely manner, copies of the Florida criminal history records for inmates housed in a private state correctional facility to the private entity under contract to operate the facility pursuant to the provisions of s. 944.105 or s. 957.03. The department may assess a charge for the Florida criminal history records pursuant to the provisions of chapter 119. Sealed records received by the private entity under this section remain confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).

(9)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 943.0525 and any user agreements adopted pursuant thereto, and notwithstanding the confidentiality of sealed records as provided for in s. 943.059, the Department of Juvenile Justice or any other state or local criminal justice agency may provide copies of the Florida criminal history records for juvenile offenders currently or formerly detained or housed in a contracted juvenile assessment center or detention facility or serviced in a contracted treatment program and for employees or other individuals who will have access to these facilities, only to the entity under direct contract with the Department of Juvenile Justice to operate these facilities or programs pursuant to the provisions of s. 985.411. The criminal justice agency providing such data may assess a charge for the Florida criminal history records pursuant to the provisions of chapter 119. Sealed records received by the private entity under this section remain confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1). Information provided under this section shall be used only for the criminal justice purpose for which it was requested and may not be further disseminated.

History.--s. 5, ch. 80-409; s. 1, ch. 94-168; s. 92, ch. 94-209; s. 21, ch. 96-388; s. 74, ch. 97-170; s. 10, ch. 98-94; s. 3, ch. 98-207; s. 10, ch. 99-300.

¹Note.--The reference appears to be to the Division of Child Support Enforcement of the Department of Revenue formerly provided for in s. 20.21(2)(h); references to divisions within the department were deleted from s. 20.21 by s. 2, ch. 97-287.

943.0535  Aliens, criminal records.--It shall be the duty of the clerk of court to furnish without charge a certified copy of the complaint, information, or indictment and the judgment and sentence and any other record pertaining to the case of any alien to the United States immigration officer in charge of the territory or district in which the court is located in every case in which an alien is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor or enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any felony or misdemeanor charge. The state attorney shall assist the clerk of the court in determining if a defendant entering a plea or ¹convicted is an alien.

History.--s. 2, ch. 88-248; s. 4, ch. 96-312; s. 11, ch. 99-188.

¹Note.--The word "is" preceding the word "convicted" was deleted by the editors.

943.054  Exchange of federal criminal history records and information.--

(1)  Criminal history information derived from any United States Department of Justice criminal justice information system is available:

(a)  To criminal justice agencies for criminal justice purposes.

(b)  Pursuant to applicable federal laws and regulations for use in connection with licensing or local or state employment or for such other uses only as authorized by federal or state laws which have been approved by the United States Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee. When no active prosecution of the charge is known to be pending, arrest data more than 1 year old is not disseminated unless accompanied by information relating to the disposition of that arrest.

(c)  For issuance of press releases and publicity designed to effect the apprehension of wanted persons in connection with serious or significant offenses.

(2)  The exchange of federal criminal history information is subject to cancellation if dissemination is made outside the receiving departments or related agencies.

(3)  A criminal justice agency may refer to federal criminal history records and disclose to the public factual information concerning the status of an investigation; the apprehension, arrest, release, or prosecution of an individual; the adjudication of charges; or the correctional status of an individual when such disclosure is reasonably contemporaneous with the event to which the information relates.

(4)  Provisions of this section are required by the Federal Government as a condition of utilizing the United States Department of Justice criminal history record information systems.

History.--s. 6, ch. 80-409; s. 2, ch. 94-126; s. 441, ch. 96-406; s. 1846, ch. 97-102.

¹943.0542  Access to criminal history information provided by the department to qualified entities.--

(1)  As used in this section, the term:

(a)  "Care" means the provision of care, treatment, education, training, instruction, supervision, or recreation to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities.

(b)  "Qualified entity" means a business or organization, whether public, private, operated for profit, operated not for profit, or voluntary, which provides care or care placement services, including a business or organization that licenses or certifies others to provide care or care placement services.

(2)(a)  A qualified entity must register with the department before submitting a request for screening under this section. Each such request must be voluntary and conform to the requirements established in the National Child Protection Act of 1993, as amended. As a part of the registration, the qualified entity must agree to comply with state and federal law and must so indicate by signing an agreement approved by the department. The department may periodically audit qualified entities to ensure compliance with federal law and this section.

(b)  A qualified entity shall submit to the department a request for screening an employee or volunteer or person applying to be an employee or volunteer on a completed fingerprint card, with a signed waiver allowing the release of state and national criminal history record information to the qualified entity.

(c)  Each such request must be accompanied by a fee, which shall approximate the actual cost of producing the record information, as provided in s. 943.053, plus the amount required by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the national criminal history check in compliance with the National Child Protection Act of 1993, as amended.

(d)  Any current or prospective employee or volunteer who is subject to a request for screening must indicate to the qualified entity submitting the request the name and address of each qualified entity that has submitted a previous request for screening regarding that employee or volunteer.

(3)  The department shall provide directly to the qualified entity the state criminal history records that are not exempt from disclosure under chapter 119 or otherwise confidential under law. A person who is the subject of a state criminal history record may challenge the record only as provided in s. 943.056.

(4)  The national criminal history data is available to qualified entities to use only for the purpose of screening employees and volunteers or persons applying to be an employee or volunteer with a qualified entity. The department shall provide this national criminal history record information directly to the qualified entity as authorized by the written waiver required for submission of a request to the department.

(5)  The determination whether the criminal history record shows that the employee or volunteer has been convicted of or is under pending indictment for any crime that bears upon the fitness of the employee or volunteer to have responsibility for the safety and well-being of children, the elderly, or disabled persons shall solely be made by the qualified entity. This section does not require the department to make such a determination on behalf of any qualified entity.

(6)  The qualified entity must notify in writing the person of his or her right to obtain a copy of any background screening report, including the criminal history records, if any, contained in the report, and of the person's right to challenge the accuracy and completeness of any information contained in any such report and to obtain a determination as to the validity of such challenge before a final determination regarding the person is made by the qualified entity reviewing the criminal history information. A qualified entity that is required by law to apply screening criteria, including any right to contest or request an exemption from disqualification, shall apply such screening criteria to the state and national criminal history record information received from the department for those persons subject to the required screening.

(7)  The department may establish a database of registered qualified entities and make this data available free of charge to all registered qualified entities. The database must include, at a minimum, the name, address, and phone number of each qualified entity.

(8)  A qualified entity is not liable for damages solely for failing to obtain the information authorized under this section with respect to an employee or volunteer. The state, any political subdivision of the state, or any agency, officer, or employee of the state or a political subdivision is not liable for damages for providing the information requested under this section.

(9)  The department has authority to adopt rules to implement this section.

History.--s. 1, ch. 99-300.

¹Note.--Section 7, ch. 99-300, provides that "[i]n order to meet added demand for the release of criminal history information created by this act, the Department of Law Enforcement may file an application with the Executive Office of the Governor certifying that there are no authorized positions available for addition, deletion, or transfer within the agency and recommending an increase in the number of positions. The Administration Commission may, after a public hearing, authorize an increase in the number of positions in excess of the amount established by the Legislature. Any request under this section is subject to the notice and review procedures set forth in section 216.177, Florida Statutes."

¹943.0543  National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact; ratification and implementation.--

(1)  In order to facilitate the authorized interstate exchange of criminal history information for noncriminal justice purposes, including, but not limited to, background checks for the licensing and screening of employees and volunteers under the National Child Protection Act of 1993, as amended, and to implement the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact, 42 U.S.C. s. 14616, the Legislature approves and ratifies the compact. The executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement shall execute the compact on behalf of the state.

(2)  The department is the repository of criminal history records for purposes of the compact and shall do all things necessary or incidental to carrying out the compact.

(3)  The executive director of the department, or the director's designee, is the state's compact officer and shall administer the compact within the state. The department may adopt rules and establish procedures for the cooperative exchange of criminal history records between the state and Federal Government for use in noncriminal justice cases.

(4)  The state's ratification of the compact remains in effect until legislation is enacted which specifically renounces the compact.

(5)  This compact and this section do not affect or abridge the obligations and responsibilities of the department under other provisions of this chapter, including s. 943.053, and do not alter or amend the manner, direct or otherwise, in which the public is afforded access to criminal history records under state law.

History.--s. 2, ch. 99-300.

¹Note.--Section 7, ch. 99-300, provides that "[i]n order to meet added demand for the release of criminal history information created by this act, the Department of Law Enforcement may file an application with the Executive Office of the Governor certifying that there are no authorized positions available for addition, deletion, or transfer within the agency and recommending an increase in the number of positions. The Administration Commission may, after a public hearing, authorize an increase in the number of positions in excess of the amount established by the Legislature. Any request under this section is subject to the notice and review procedures set forth in section 216.177, Florida Statutes."

¹943.0544  Criminal justice information network and information management.--

(1)  The department may develop, implement, maintain, and manage innovative, progressive, and effective methods of serving the information-management needs of criminal justice agencies, and may take necessary steps to promote the efficient and cost-effective use of such information.

(2)  The department may develop, implement, maintain, manage, and operate the Criminal Justice Network, which shall be an intraagency information and data-sharing network for use by the state's criminal justice agencies. The department, in consultation with the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council, shall determine and regulate access to the Criminal Justice Network by the state's criminal justice agencies.

(3)  In addition, the department may authorize entities that offer or provide a product, program, or service determined by the department to be of substantial value to the criminal justice information needs of the state's criminal justice agencies a special limited presence on the network under terms, conditions, and limitations established by the department after consultation with the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council.

(4)  In carrying out its duties under this section, the department may enter into contracts; conduct pilot studies and projects; ²and assess and collect fees, commissions, royalties, or other charges from entities approved for special presence on the Criminal Justice Network in consideration for such presence. The department may enter into agreements by which products, programs, or services of value to the department or the information needs of criminal justice agencies are provided in lieu of all or a part of a fee, commission, royalty, or charge that might otherwise be assessed by the department upon an entity granted special limited presence as provided in this subsection.

(5)  The department may enter into an agreement with any entity to facilitate the department's responsibilities for receiving, maintaining, managing, processing, allowing access to, and disseminating criminal justice information, intelligence, data, or criminal history records and information, or to otherwise accomplish the duties and responsibilities related to information and records as defined in this chapter. The department may enter into agreements by which products, programs, or services of value to the department or the information needs of criminal justice agencies are provided in lieu of all or part of a fee, commission, royalty, or charge that might be otherwise assessed by the department upon an entity entering into an agreement with the department. Any entity under contract with the department to perform all or part of the department's information functions or duties shall, as specified in the contract, be performing such functions or duties as a criminal justice agency for purposes of handling, collecting, managing, or disseminating criminal justice information, intelligence, data, histories, and other records. Disclosure of such information to an entity under such a contract does not waive any confidentiality or exemption from disclosure under s. 119.07 or any other applicable law.

(6)  The department may adopt rules to administer this section. Except as otherwise specified in this section, this section does not alter or limit the powers and duties of the department established under this chapter.

History.--s. 3, ch. 99-300.

¹Note.--Section 7, ch. 99-300, provides that "[i]n order to meet added demand for the release of criminal history information created by this act, the Department of Law Enforcement may file an application with the Executive Office of the Governor certifying that there are no authorized positions available for addition, deletion, or transfer within the agency and recommending an increase in the number of positions. The Administration Commission may, after a public hearing, authorize an increase in the number of positions in excess of the amount established by the Legislature. Any request under this section is subject to the notice and review procedures set forth in section 216.177, Florida Statutes."

²Note.--The word "and" was inserted by the editors.

943.055  Records and audit.--

(1)  Criminal justice agencies disseminating criminal justice information derived from a Department of Law Enforcement criminal justice information system shall maintain a record of dissemination in accordance with rules adopted by the Department of Law Enforcement.

(2)  The Criminal Justice Information Program shall arrange for any audits of state and local criminal justice agencies necessary to assure compliance with federal laws and regulations, this chapter, and rules of the Department of Law Enforcement pertaining to the establishment, operation, security, and maintenance of criminal justice information systems.

History.--s. 7, ch. 80-409; s. 11, ch. 98-94.

943.056  Access to, review and challenge of, criminal history records.--

(1)  For purposes of verification of the accuracy and completeness of a criminal history record, the Department of Law Enforcement shall provide, in the manner prescribed by rule, such record for review upon verification, by fingerprints, of the identity of the requesting person. If a minor, or the parent or legal guardian of a minor, requests a copy of the minor's criminal history record, the Department of Law Enforcement shall provide such copy for review upon verification, by fingerprints, of the identity of the minor. The providing of such record shall not require the payment of any fees, except those provided for by federal regulations.

(2)  Criminal justice agencies subject to chapter 120 shall be subject to hearings regarding those portions of criminal history records for which the agency served as originator. When it is determined what the record should contain in order to be complete and accurate, the Criminal Justice Information Program shall be advised and shall conform state and federal records to the corrected criminal history record information.

(3)  Criminal justice agencies not subject to chapter 120 shall be subject to administrative proceedings for challenges to criminal history record information in accordance with rules established by the Department of Law Enforcement.

(4)  Upon request, an individual whose record has been corrected shall be given the names of all known noncriminal justice agencies to which the data has been given. The correcting agency shall notify all known criminal justice recipients of the corrected information, and those agencies shall modify their records to conform to the corrected record.

History.--ss. 8, 9, ch. 80-409; s. 3, ch. 94-126; s. 93, ch. 94-209; s. 12, ch. 98-94.

943.057  Access to criminal justice information for research or statistical purposes.--The Department of Law Enforcement may provide by rule for access to and dissemination and use of criminal justice information for research or statistical purposes. All requests for records or information in the criminal justice information systems of the department shall require the requesting individual or entity to enter into an appropriate privacy and security agreement which provides that the requesting individual or entity shall comply with all laws and rules governing the use of criminal justice information for research or statistical purposes. The department may charge a fee for the production of criminal justice information under this section. Such fee shall approximate the actual cost of production. This section does not require the release of confidential information or require the department to accommodate requests that would disrupt ongoing operations beyond the extent required by s. 119.07.

History.--s. 10, ch. 80-409; s. 4, ch. 94-126; s. 442, ch. 96-406; s. 13, ch. 98-94.

943.0575  Public access to records.--Nothing in this act shall be construed to restrict or condition public access to records as provided by s. 119.07.

History.--s. 16, ch. 80-409.

943.0581  Administrative expunction.--Notwithstanding any law dealing generally with the preservation and destruction of public records, the department may provide, by rule adopted pursuant to chapter 120, for the administrative expunction of any nonjudicial record of an arrest of a minor or an adult made contrary to law or by mistake.

History.--s. 2, ch. 92-73; s. 94, ch. 94-209.

943.0585  Court-ordered expunction of criminal history records.--The courts of this state have jurisdiction over their own procedures, including the maintenance, expunction, and correction of judicial records containing criminal history information to the extent such procedures are not inconsistent with the conditions, responsibilities, and duties established by this section. Any court of competent jurisdiction may order a criminal justice agency to expunge the criminal history record of a minor or an adult who complies with the requirements of this section. The court shall not order a criminal justice agency to expunge a criminal history record until the person seeking to expunge a criminal history record has applied for and received a certificate of eligibility for expunction pursuant to subsection (2). A criminal history record that relates to a violation of chapter 794, s. 800.04, s. 817.034, s. 827.071, chapter 839, s. 893.135, or a violation enumerated in s. 907.041 may not be expunged, without regard to whether adjudication was withheld, if the defendant was found guilty of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to the offense, or if the defendant, as a minor, was found to have committed, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to committing, the offense as a delinquent act. The court may only order expunction of a criminal history record pertaining to one arrest or one incident of alleged criminal activity, except as provided in this section. The court may, at its sole discretion, order the expunction of a criminal history record pertaining to more than one arrest if the additional arrests directly relate to the original arrest. If the court intends to order the expunction of records pertaining to such additional arrests, such intent must be specified in the order. A criminal justice agency may not expunge any record pertaining to such additional arrests if the order to expunge does not articulate the intention of the court to expunge a record pertaining to more than one arrest. This section does not prevent the court from ordering the expunction of only a portion of a criminal history record pertaining to one arrest or one incident of alleged criminal activity. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a criminal justice agency may comply with laws, court orders, and official requests of other jurisdictions relating to expunction, correction, or confidential handling of criminal history records or information derived therefrom. This section does not confer any right to the expunction of any criminal history record, and any request for expunction of a criminal history record may be denied at the sole discretion of the court.

(1)  PETITION TO EXPUNGE A CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD.--Each petition to a court to expunge a criminal history record is complete only when accompanied by:

(a)  A certificate of eligibility for expunction issued by the department pursuant to subsection (2).

(b)  The petitioner's sworn statement attesting that the petitioner:

1.  Has never, prior to the date on which the petition is filed, been adjudicated guilty of a criminal offense or comparable ordinance violation or adjudicated delinquent for committing a felony or a misdemeanor specified in s. 943.051(3)(b).

2.  Has not been adjudicated guilty of, or adjudicated delinquent for committing, any of the acts stemming from the arrest or alleged criminal activity to which the petition pertains.

3.  Has never secured a prior sealing or expunction of a criminal history record under this section, former s. 893.14, former s. 901.33, or former s. 943.058, or from any jurisdiction outside the state.

4.  Is eligible for such an expunction to the best of his or her knowledge or belief and does not have any other petition to expunge or any petition to seal pending before any court.

Any person who knowingly provides false information on such sworn statement to the court commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(2)  CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR EXPUNCTION.--Prior to petitioning the court to expunge a criminal history record, a person seeking to expunge a criminal history record shall apply to the department for a certificate of eligibility for expunction. The department shall, by rule adopted pursuant to chapter 120, establish procedures pertaining to the application for and issuance of certificates of eligibility for expunction. The department shall issue a certificate of eligibility for expunction to a person who is the subject of a criminal history record if that person:

(a)  Has obtained, and submitted to the department, a written, certified statement from the appropriate state attorney or statewide prosecutor which indicates:

1.  That an indictment, information, or other charging document was not filed or issued in the case.

2.  That an indictment, information, or other charging document, if filed or issued in the case, was dismissed or nolle prosequi by the state attorney or statewide prosecutor, or was dismissed by a court of competent jurisdiction.

3.  That the criminal history record does not relate to a violation of chapter 794, s. 800.04, s. 817.034, s. 827.071, chapter 839, s. 893.135, or a violation enumerated in s. 907.041, where the defendant was found guilty of, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any such offense, or that the defendant, as a minor, was found to have committed, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to committing, such an offense as a delinquent act, without regard to whether adjudication was withheld.

(b)  Remits a $75 processing fee to the department for placement in the Department of Law Enforcement Operating Trust Fund, unless such fee is waived by the executive director.

(c)  Has submitted to the department a certified copy of the disposition of the charge to which the petition to expunge pertains.

(d)  Has never, prior to the date on which the application for a certificate of eligibility is filed, been adjudicated guilty of a criminal offense or comparable ordinance violation or adjudicated delinquent for committing a felony or a misdemeanor specified in s. 943.051(3)(b).

(e)  Has not been adjudicated guilty of, or adjudicated delinquent for committing, any of the acts stemming from the arrest or alleged criminal activity to which the petition to expunge pertains.

(f)  Has never secured a prior sealing or expunction of a criminal history record under this section, former s. 893.14, former s. 901.33, or former s. 943.058.

(g)  Is no longer under court supervision applicable to the disposition of the arrest or alleged criminal activity to which the petition to expunge pertains.

(h)  Is not required to wait a minimum of 10 years prior to being eligible for an expunction of such records because all charges related to the arrest or criminal activity to which the petition to expunge pertains were dismissed prior to trial, adjudication, or the withholding of adjudication. Otherwise, such criminal history record must be sealed under this section, former s. 893.14, former s. 901.33, or former s. 943.058 for at least 10 years before such record is eligible for expunction.

(3)  PROCESSING OF A PETITION OR ORDER TO EXPUNGE.--

(a)  In judicial proceedings under this section, a copy of the completed petition to expunge shall be served upon the appropriate state attorney or the statewide prosecutor and upon the arresting agency; however, it is not necessary to make any agency other than the state a party. The appropriate state attorney or the statewide prosecutor and the arresting agency may respond to the court regarding the completed petition to expunge.

(b)  If relief is granted by the court, the clerk of the court shall certify copies of the order to the appropriate state attorney or the statewide prosecutor and the arresting agency. The arresting agency is responsible for forwarding the order to any other agency to which the arresting agency disseminated the criminal history record information to which the order pertains. The department shall forward the order to expunge to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The clerk of the court shall certify a copy of the order to any other agency which the records of the court reflect has received the criminal history record from the court.

(c)  For an order to expunge entered by a court prior to July 1, 1992, the department shall notify the appropriate state attorney or statewide prosecutor of an order to expunge which is contrary to law because the person who is the subject of the record has previously been convicted of a crime or comparable ordinance violation or has had a prior criminal history record sealed or expunged. Upon receipt of such notice, the appropriate state attorney or statewide prosecutor shall take action, within 60 days, to correct the record and petition the court to void the order to expunge. The department shall seal the record until such time as the order is voided by the court.

(d)  On or after July 1, 1992, the department or any other criminal justice agency is not required to act on an order to expunge entered by a court when such order does not comply with the requirements of this section. Upon receipt of such an order, the department must notify the issuing court, the appropriate state attorney or statewide prosecutor, the petitioner or the petitioner's attorney, and the arresting agency of the reason for noncompliance. The appropriate state attorney or statewide prosecutor shall take action within 60 days to correct the record and petition the court to void the order. No cause of action, including contempt of court, shall arise against any criminal justice agency for failure to comply with an order to expunge when the petitioner for such order failed to obtain the certificate of eligibility as required by this section or such order does not otherwise comply with the requirements of this section.

(4)  EFFECT OF CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD EXPUNCTION.--Any criminal history record of a minor or an adult which is ordered expunged by a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to this section must be physically destroyed or obliterated by any criminal justice agency having custody of such record; except that any criminal history record in the custody of the department must be retained in all cases. A criminal history record ordered expunged that is retained by the department is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution and not available to any person or entity except upon order of a court of competent jurisdiction. A criminal justice agency may retain a notation indicating compliance with an order to expunge.

(a)  The person who is the subject of a criminal history record that is expunged under this section or under other provisions of law, including former s. 893.14, former s. 901.33, and former s. 943.058, may lawfully deny or fail to acknowledge the arrests covered by the expunged record, except when the subject of the record:

1.  Is a candidate for employment with a criminal justice agency;

2.  Is a defendant in a criminal prosecution;

3.  Concurrently or subsequently petitions for relief under this section or s. 943.059;

4.  Is a candidate for admission to The Florida Bar;

5.  Is seeking to be employed or licensed by or to contract with the Department of Children and Family Services or the Department of Juvenile Justice or to be employed or used by such contractor or licensee in a sensitive position having direct contact with children, the developmentally disabled, the aged, or the elderly as provided in s. 110.1127(3), s. 393.063(15), s. 394.4572(1), s. 397.451, s. 402.302(3), s. 402.313(3), s. 409.175(2)(i), s. 415.102(4), s. 415.1075(4), s. 985.407, or chapter 400; or

6.  Is seeking to be employed or licensed by the Office of Teacher Education, Certification, Staff Development, and Professional Practices of the Department of Education, any district school board, or any local governmental entity that licenses child care facilities.

(b)  Subject to the exceptions in paragraph (a), a person who has been granted an expunction under this section, former s. 893.14, former s. 901.33, or former s. 943.058 may not be held under any provision of law of this state to commit perjury or to be otherwise liable for giving a false statement by reason of such person's failure to recite or acknowledge an expunged criminal history record.

(c)  Information relating to the existence of an expunged criminal history record which is provided in accordance with paragraph (a) is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution, except that the department shall disclose the existence of a criminal history record ordered expunged to the entities set forth in subparagraphs (a)1., 4., 5., and 6. for their respective licensing and employment purposes, and to criminal justice agencies for their respective criminal justice purposes. It is unlawful for any employee of an entity set forth in subparagraph (a)1., subparagraph (a)4., subparagraph (a)5., or subparagraph (a)6. to disclose information relating to the existence of an expunged criminal history record of a person seeking employment or licensure with such entity or contractor, except to the person to whom the criminal history record relates or to persons having direct responsibility for employment or licensure decisions. Any person who violates this paragraph commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(5)  STATUTORY REFERENCES.--Any reference to any other chapter, section, or subdivision of the Florida Statutes in this section constitutes a general reference under the doctrine of incorporation by reference.

History.--s. 3, ch. 92-73; s. 43, ch. 93-39; s. 1, ch. 94-127; s. 19, ch. 94-154; s. 95, ch. 94-209; s. 140, ch. 95-418; s. 3, ch. 95-427; s. 52, ch. 96-169; s. 7, ch. 96-402; s. 443, ch. 96-406; s. 1847, ch. 97-102; s. 57, ch. 98-280; s. 115, ch. 99-3; s. 10, ch. 99-188; s. 4, ch. 99-300; s. 16, ch. 99-304.

943.059  Court-ordered sealing of criminal history records.--The courts of this state shall continue to have jurisdiction over their own procedures, including the maintenance, sealing, and correction of judicial records containing criminal history information to the extent such procedures are not inconsistent with the conditions, responsibilities, and duties established by this section. Any court of competent jurisdiction may order a criminal justice agency to seal the criminal history record of a minor or an adult who complies with the requirements of this section. The court shall not order a criminal justice agency to seal a criminal history record until the person seeking to seal a criminal history record has applied for and received a certificate of eligibility for sealing pursuant to subsection (2). A criminal history record that relates to a violation of chapter 794, s. 800.04, s. 817.034, s. 827.071, chapter 839, s. 893.135, or a violation enumerated in s. 907.041 may not be sealed, without regard to whether adjudication was withheld, if the defendant was found guilty of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to the offense, or if the defendant, as a minor, was found to have committed or pled guilty or nolo contendere to committing the offense as a delinquent act. The court may only order sealing of a criminal history record pertaining to one arrest or one incident of alleged criminal activity, except as provided in this section. The court may, at its sole discretion, order the sealing of a criminal history record pertaining to more than one arrest if the additional arrests directly relate to the original arrest. If the court intends to order the sealing of records pertaining to such additional arrests, such intent must be specified in the order. A criminal justice agency may not seal any record pertaining to such additional arrests if the order to seal does not articulate the intention of the court to seal records pertaining to more than one arrest. This section does not prevent the court from ordering the sealing of only a portion of a criminal history record pertaining to one arrest or one incident of alleged criminal activity. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a criminal justice agency may comply with laws, court orders, and official requests of other jurisdictions relating to sealing, correction, or confidential handling of criminal history records or information derived therefrom. This section does not confer any right to the sealing of any criminal history record, and any request for sealing a criminal history record may be denied at the sole discretion of the court.

(1)  PETITION TO SEAL A CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD.--Each petition to a court to seal a criminal history record is complete only when accompanied by:

(a)  A certificate of eligibility for sealing issued by the department pursuant to subsection (2).

(b)  The petitioner's sworn statement attesting that the petitioner:

1.  Has never, prior to the date on which the petition is filed, been adjudicated guilty of a criminal offense or comparable ordinance violation or adjudicated delinquent for committing a felony or a misdemeanor specified in s. 943.051(3)(b).

2.  Has not been adjudicated guilty of or adjudicated delinquent for committing any of the acts stemming from the arrest or alleged criminal activity to which the petition to seal pertains.

3.  Has never secured a prior sealing or expunction of a criminal history record under this section, former s. 893.14, former s. 901.33, former s. 943.058, or from any jurisdiction outside the state.

4.  Is eligible for such a sealing to the best of his or her knowledge or belief and does not have any other petition to seal or any petition to expunge pending before any court.

Any person who knowingly provides false information on such sworn statement to the court commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(2)  CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SEALING.--Prior to petitioning the court to seal a criminal history record, a person seeking to seal a criminal history record shall apply to the department for a certificate of eligibility for sealing. The department shall, by rule adopted pursuant to chapter 120, establish procedures pertaining to the application for and issuance of certificates of eligibility for sealing. The department shall issue a certificate of eligibility for sealing to a person who is the subject of a criminal history record provided that such person:

(a)  Has submitted to the department a certified copy of the disposition of the charge to which the petition to seal pertains.

(b)  Remits a $75 processing fee to the department for placement in the Department of Law Enforcement Operating Trust Fund, unless such fee is waived by the executive director.

(c)  Has never, prior to the date on which the application for a certificate of eligibility is filed, been adjudicated guilty of a criminal offense or comparable ordinance violation or adjudicated delinquent for committing a felony or a misdemeanor specified in s. 943.051(3)(b).

(d)  Has not been adjudicated guilty of or adjudicated delinquent for committing any of the acts stemming from the arrest or alleged criminal activity to which the petition to seal pertains.

(e)  Has never secured a prior sealing or expunction of a criminal history record under this section, former s. 893.14, former s. 901.33, or former s. 943.058.

(f)  Is no longer under court supervision applicable to the disposition of the arrest or alleged criminal activity to which the petition to seal pertains.

(3)  PROCESSING OF A PETITION OR ORDER TO SEAL.--

(a)  In judicial proceedings under this section, a copy of the completed petition to seal shall be served upon the appropriate state attorney or the statewide prosecutor and upon the arresting agency; however, it is not necessary to make any agency other than the state a party. The appropriate state attorney or the statewide prosecutor and the arresting agency may respond to the court regarding the completed petition to seal.

(b)  If relief is granted by the court, the clerk of the court shall certify copies of the order to the appropriate state attorney or the statewide prosecutor and to the arresting agency. The arresting agency is responsible for forwarding the order to any other agency to which the arresting agency disseminated the criminal history record information to which the order pertains. The department shall forward the order to seal to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The clerk of the court shall certify a copy of the order to any other agency which the records of the court reflect has received the criminal history record from the court.

(c)  For an order to seal entered by a court prior to July 1, 1992, the department shall notify the appropriate state attorney or statewide prosecutor of any order to seal which is contrary to law because the person who is the subject of the record has previously been convicted of a crime or comparable ordinance violation or has had a prior criminal history record sealed or expunged. Upon receipt of such notice, the appropriate state attorney or statewide prosecutor shall take action, within 60 days, to correct the record and petition the court to void the order to seal. The department shall seal the record until such time as the order is voided by the court.

(d)  On or after July 1, 1992, the department or any other criminal justice agency is not required to act on an order to seal entered by a court when such order does not comply with the requirements of this section. Upon receipt of such an order, the department must notify the issuing court, the appropriate state attorney or statewide prosecutor, the petitioner or the petitioner's attorney, and the arresting agency of the reason for noncompliance. The appropriate state attorney or statewide prosecutor shall take action within 60 days to correct the record and petition the court to void the order. No cause of action, including contempt of court, shall arise against any criminal justice agency for failure to comply with an order to seal when the petitioner for such order failed to obtain the certificate of eligibility as required by this section or when such order does not comply with the requirements of this section.

(e)  An order sealing a criminal history record pursuant to this section does not require that such record be surrendered to the court, and such record shall continue to be maintained by the department and other criminal justice agencies.

(4)  EFFECT OF CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD SEALING.--A criminal history record of a minor or an adult which is ordered sealed by a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to this section is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution and is available only to the person who is the subject of the record, to the subject's attorney, to criminal justice agencies for their respective criminal justice purposes, or to those entities set forth in subparagraphs (a)1., 4., 5., and 6. for their respective licensing and employment purposes.

(a)  The subject of a criminal history record sealed under this section or under other provisions of law, including former s. 893.14, former s. 901.33, and former s. 943.058, may lawfully deny or fail to acknowledge the arrests covered by the sealed record, except when the subject of the record:

1.  Is a candidate for employment with a criminal justice agency;

2.  Is a defendant in a criminal prosecution;

3.  Concurrently or subsequently petitions for relief under this section or s. 943.0585;

4.  Is a candidate for admission to The Florida Bar;

5.  Is seeking to be employed or licensed by or to contract with the Department of Children and Family Services or the Department of Juvenile Justice or to be employed or used by such contractor or licensee in a sensitive position having direct contact with children, the developmentally disabled, the aged, or the elderly as provided in s. 110.1127(3), s. 393.063(15), s. 394.4572(1), s. 397.451, s. 402.302(3), s. 402.313(3), s. 409.175(2)(i), s. 415.102(4), s. 415.103, s. 985.407, or chapter 400; or

6.  Is seeking to be employed or licensed by the Office of Teacher Education, Certification, Staff Development, and Professional Practices of the Department of Education, any district school board, or any local governmental entity which licenses child care facilities.

(b)  Subject to the exceptions in paragraph (a), a person who has been granted a sealing under this section, former s. 893.14, former s. 901.33, or former s. 943.058 may not be held under any provision of law of this state to commit perjury or to be otherwise liable for giving a false statement by reason of such person's failure to recite or acknowledge a sealed criminal history record.

(c)  Information relating to the existence of a sealed criminal record provided in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (a) is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution, except that the department shall disclose the sealed criminal history record to the entities set forth in subparagraphs (a)1., 4., 5., and 6. for their respective licensing and employment purposes. It is unlawful for any employee of an entity set forth in subparagraph (a)1., subparagraph (a)4., subparagraph (a)5., or subparagraph (a)6. to disclose information relating to the existence of a sealed criminal history record of a person seeking employment or licensure with such entity or contractor, except to the person to whom the criminal history record relates or to persons having direct responsibility for employment or licensure decisions. Any person who violates the provisions of this paragraph commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(5)  STATUTORY REFERENCES.--Any reference to any other chapter, section, or subdivision of the Florida Statutes in this section constitutes a general reference under the doctrine of incorporation by reference.

History.--s. 4, ch. 92-73; s. 44, ch. 93-39; s. 3, ch. 94-127; s. 20, ch. 94-154; s. 96, ch. 94-209; s. 4, ch. 95-427; s. 53, ch. 96-169; s. 8, ch. 96-402; s. 444, ch. 96-406; s. 1848, ch. 97-102; s. 58, ch. 98-280; s. 116, ch. 99-3; s. 10, ch. 99-188; s. 5, ch. 99-300; s. 17, ch. 99-304.

943.06  Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council.--There is created a Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council within the department.

(1)  The council shall be composed of 14 members, consisting of the Attorney General or a designated assistant; the executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement or a designated assistant; the secretary of the Department of Corrections or a designated assistant; the chair of the Parole Commission or a designated assistant; the Secretary of Juvenile Justice or a designated assistant; the executive director of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or a designated assistant; the State Courts Administrator or a designated assistant; 1 public defender appointed by the Florida Public Defender Association, Inc.; 1 state attorney appointed by the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Inc.; and 5 members, to be appointed by the Governor, consisting of 2 sheriffs, 2 police chiefs, and 1 clerk of the circuit court.

(2)  Members appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for terms of 4 years. No appointive member shall serve beyond the time he or she ceases to hold the office or employment by reason of which the member was eligible for appointment to the council. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring because of death, resignation, or ineligibility for membership shall serve only for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor or until a successor is appointed and qualifies. Any member who, without cause, fails to attend two consecutive meetings may be removed by the Governor.

(3)  The council shall annually elect its chair and other officers. The council shall meet semiannually or at the call of its chair, at the request of a majority of its membership, at the request of the department, or at such times as may be prescribed by its rules. A majority of the members of the council constitutes a quorum, and action by a majority of the council shall be official.

(4)  Membership on the council shall not disqualify a member from holding any other public office or being employed by a public entity except that no member of the Legislature shall serve on the council. The Legislature finds that the council serves a state, county, and municipal purpose and that service on the council is consistent with a member's principal service in a public office or employment.

(5)  Members of the council shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as provided by s. 112.061.

History.--s. 6, ch. 74-386; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 4, ch. 78-323; s. 2, ch. 78-347; s. 12, ch. 80-409; ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 81-10; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 2, ch. 83-265; s. 4, ch. 85-224; ss. 4, 6, 7, ch. 87-177; s. 1, ch. 88-52; s. 50, ch. 88-122; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 3, ch. 95-161; s. 32, ch. 95-267; s. 3, ch. 96-388; s. 1849, ch. 97-102.

943.08  Duties; Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council.--

(1)  The council shall facilitate the identification, standardization, sharing, and coordination of criminal and juvenile justice data and other public safety system data among federal, state, and local agencies.

(2)  The council shall review proposed plans and policies relating to the information system of the Department of Corrections, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Law Enforcement for the purpose of determining whether the departments' strategic information technology resource development efforts will facilitate the effective identification, standardization, sharing, and coordination of criminal and juvenile justice data and other public safety system data among federal, state, and local agencies. The council shall make recommendations as it deems appropriate to the executive director and the secretaries of these departments. Those recommendations shall relate to the following areas:

(a)  The management control of criminal and juvenile justice information systems and applications supported by the departments.

(b)  The installation and operation of criminal and juvenile justice information systems by the departments and the exchange of such information with other criminal and juvenile justice agencies of this state and other states, including federal agencies.

(c)  The operation and maintenance of computer hardware and software within criminal and juvenile justice information systems maintained by the departments.

(d)  The physical security of the systems, to prevent unauthorized disclosure of information contained in the systems and to ensure that the criminal and juvenile justice information in the systems is accurately updated in a timely manner.

(e)  The security of the systems, to ensure that criminal and juvenile justice information is collected, processed, stored, and disseminated in such manner that it cannot be modified, destroyed, accessed, changed, purged, or overlaid by unauthorized individuals or agencies.

(f)  The purging, expunging, or sealing of criminal and juvenile justice information upon order of a court of competent jurisdiction or when authorized by law.

(g)  The dissemination of criminal and juvenile justice information to persons or agencies not associated with criminal justice when such dissemination is authorized by law.

(h)  The access to criminal and juvenile justice information maintained by any criminal or juvenile justice agency by any person about whom such information is maintained for the purpose of challenge, correction, or addition of explanatory material.

(i)  The training, which should be provided to employees of the departments and other state and local criminal and juvenile justice agencies in the proper use and control of criminal and juvenile justice information.

(j)  The characteristics, structures, and communications technologies needed to allow the transmittal of, sharing of, access to, and utilization of information among the various state, local, private, and federal agencies, organizations, and institutions in the criminal and juvenile justice systems.

(k)  The installation and operation of a statewide telecommunications and data network, to be called the Florida Criminal Justice Intranet Service Network, for which the Department of Law Enforcement will serve as custodial manager and which will be capable of electronically transmitting text and image data, including electronic mail and file transport, among criminal justice agencies within the state.

(l)  The installation and operation, when feasible, of equipment in each of the judicial circuits capable of electronically transmitting over the Florida Criminal Justice Intranet Service Network digitized photographs and live-scan fingerprint images of each criminal defendant convicted or found guilty, at the time and place of such disposition.

(m)  Such other areas as relate to the collection, processing, storage, and dissemination of criminal and juvenile justice and other public safety system information, including the development of criteria, policies, and procedures for the standardization of criminal and juvenile justice data and information-transfer protocols for transmitting such data.

(3)  The council shall develop and approve a strategic plan pursuant to the requirements set forth in s. 186.022(9). Copies of the approved plan shall be transmitted, electronically or in writing, to the Executive Office of the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the council members.

(4)  It is the policy of this state and the intent of the Legislature that all further installation, enhancement, and planned utilization of equipment capable of transmitting telecommunications and data which are performed by any state court, the clerks of the court, state or local law enforcement agencies, or the departments referred to in this section be implemented in a manner to assure that such equipment is compatible with the Florida Criminal Justice Intranet Service Network standards.

History.--s. 6, ch. 74-386; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 4, ch. 78-323; s. 13, ch. 80-409; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-10; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 2, ch. 83-265; s. 5, ch. 85-224; ss. 5, 6, 7, ch. 87-177; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 1, ch. 94-99; s. 33, ch. 95-267; s. 4, ch. 96-388; s. 39, ch. 97-271; s. 37, ch. 97-286; s. 14, ch. 98-94; s. 10, ch. 98-251.

943.081  Public safety system information technology resources; guiding principles.--The following guiding principles adopted by the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council are hereby adopted as guiding principles for the management of public safety system information technology resources:

(1)  Cooperative planning by public safety system entities is a prerequisite for the effective development of systems to enable sharing of data.

(2)  The planning process, as well as coordination of development efforts, should include all principals from the outset.

(3)  Public safety system entities should be committed to maximizing information sharing and moving away from proprietary positions taken relative to data they capture and maintain.

(4)  Public safety system entities should maximize public access to data, while complying with legitimate security, privacy, and confidentiality requirements.

(5)  Public safety system entities should strive for electronic sharing of information via networks versus a reliance on magnetic and other media.

(6)  The practice by public safety system entities of charging each other for data should, insofar as possible, be eliminated. Further, when the capture of data for mutual benefit can be accomplished, the costs for the development, capture, and network for access to that data should be shared.

(7)  The redundant capture of data should, insofar as possible, be eliminated.

(8)  With respect to statewide databases:

(a)  Only data that can best be compiled, preserved, and shared through a central database should be captured at the state level.

(b)  Remote access to distributed databases should be considered and provided for, instead of central repositories.

(c)  Statistical data that may be required infrequently or on a one-time basis should be captured via sampling or other methods.

(d)  Only data that are auditable, or that otherwise can be determined to be accurate, valid, and reliable should be maintained.

(9)  Methods of sharing data among different protocols must be developed without requiring major redesign or replacement of individual systems.

History.--s. 5, ch. 96-388.

943.085  Legislative intent with respect to upgrading the quality of law enforcement officers and correctional officers.--

(1)  It is the intent of the Legislature to strengthen and upgrade law enforcement agencies and correctional institutions in this state by attracting competent, highly qualified people for professional careers in the criminal justice disciplines and to retain well-qualified and experienced officers for the purpose of providing maximum protection and safety to the citizens of, the visitors to, and the inmates in this state.

(2)  It is the further intent of the Legislature to establish a minimum foundation program for law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and correctional probation officers which will provide a statewide minimum salary for all such officers; to provide state monetary supplement in order to effectuate an upgrading of compensation for all law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and correctional probation officers; and to upgrade the educational and training standards of such officers.

(3)  It is the further intent of the Legislature that the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, in the execution of its powers, duties, and functions, actively provide statewide leadership in the establishment, implementation, and evaluation of criminal justice standards and training for all law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and correctional probation officers.

History.--s. 7, ch. 74-386; s. 2, ch. 81-24; s. 1, ch. 84-258; s. 39, ch. 86-183; s. 2, ch. 86-286; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 5, ch. 91-429.

Note.--Former s. 943.24.

943.09  Criminal Justice Professionalism Program.--There is created a Criminal Justice Professionalism Program within the Department of Law Enforcement. The program shall be supervised by personnel who shall be employed by the department upon the recommendation of the executive director. Such personnel shall supervise, direct, coordinate, and administer activities of the program which are assigned by the executive director. Personnel employed by the program, as the staff of the commission, shall support and assist the commission in the execution, administration, implementation, and evaluation of its powers, duties, and functions under this chapter according to acceptable and established departmental administrative, managerial, and supervisory rules and policies.

History.--s. 7, ch. 74-386; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 2, ch. 78-347; s. 1, ch. 80-71; s. 3, ch. 81-24; s. 2, ch. 84-258; s. 15, ch. 98-94.

943.10  Definitions; ss. 943.085-943.255.--The following words and phrases as used in ss. 943.085-943.255 are defined as follows:

(1)  "Law enforcement officer" means any person who is elected, appointed, or employed full time by any municipality or the state or any political subdivision thereof; who is vested with authority to bear arms and make arrests; and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of the state. This definition includes all certified supervisory and command personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, guidance, and management responsibilities of full-time law enforcement officers, part-time law enforcement officers, or auxiliary law enforcement officers but does not include support personnel employed by the employing agency.

(2)  "Correctional officer" means any person who is appointed or employed full time by the state or any political subdivision thereof, or by any private entity which has contracted with the state or county, and whose primary responsibility is the supervision, protection, care, custody, and control, or investigation, of inmates within a correctional institution; however, the term "correctional officer" does not include any secretarial, clerical, or professionally trained personnel.

(3)  "Correctional probation officer" means a person who is employed full time by the state whose primary responsibility is the supervised custody, surveillance, and control of assigned inmates, probationers, parolees, or community controllees within institutions of the Department of Corrections or within the community. The term includes supervisory personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, and guidance of correctional probation officers, but excludes management and administrative personnel above, but not including, the probation and parole regional administrator level.

(4)  "Employing agency" means any agency or unit of government or any municipality or the state or any political subdivision thereof, or any agent thereof, which has constitutional or statutory authority to employ or appoint persons as officers. The term also includes any private entity which has contracted with the state or county for the operation and maintenance of a nonjuvenile detention facility.

(5)  "Commission" means the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.

(6)  "Part-time law enforcement officer" means any person employed or appointed less than full time, as defined by an employing agency, with or without compensation, who is vested with authority to bear arms and make arrests and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of the state.

(7)  "Part-time correctional officer" means any person who is employed or appointed less than full time, as defined by the employing or appointing agency, with or without compensation, whose responsibilities include the supervision, protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a correctional institution.

(8)  "Auxiliary law enforcement officer" means any person employed or appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or part-time law enforcement officer and who, while under the direct supervision of a full-time or part-time law enforcement officer, has the authority to arrest and perform law enforcement functions.

(9)  "Auxiliary correctional officer" means any person employed or appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or part-time correctional officer and who, while under the supervision of a full-time or part-time correctional officer, has the same authority as a full-time or part-time correctional officer for the purpose of providing supervision, protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a correctional institution or a county or municipal detention facility.

(10)  "Private criminal justice training school" means any private school, corporation, or institution, for profit or not for profit, devoted wholly or in part to instruction, by correspondence or otherwise, in criminal justice services, administration, training, and education, which awards any type of certificate, diploma, degree, or recognition for attendance, graduation, study, or participation to students, enrollees, or participants. This definition applies to all such schools operating wholly or in part within the state, including those chartered, incorporated, or formed outside the state.

(11)  "Support personnel" means any person employed or appointed by an employing agency who is not an officer or, as specified by the commission, other professional employee in the criminal justice system.

(12)  "Program" means the Criminal Justice Professionalism Program of the Department of Law Enforcement.

(13)  "Head of the department" means the Governor and Cabinet, as provided for in ss. 20.201 and 20.03(4).

(14)  "Officer" means any person employed or appointed as a full-time, part-time, or auxiliary law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer.

(15)  "Public criminal justice training school" means any school defined in s. 228.041, or any academy operated by an employing agency, that is certified by the commission to conduct criminal justice training courses.

(16)  "Criminal justice training school" means any private or public criminal justice training school certified by the commission.

(17)  "Training center director" means a full-time salaried employee of a criminal justice training school who is responsible for the scheduling and general management of criminal justice courses and supervision and evaluation of criminal justice instructors.

(18)  "Auxiliary correctional probation officer" means any person employed or appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or part-time correctional probation officer and who, while under the supervision of a full-time or part-time correctional probation officer, has the same authority as a full-time or part-time correctional probation officer for the purpose of providing supervision of offenders in the community.

(19)  "Part-time correctional probation officer" means a person who is employed less than full time by the state whose primary responsibility is the supervised custody, surveillance, and control of assigned inmates, probationers, parolees, or community controllees within institutions of the Department of Corrections or in the community.

(20)  "Diverse population" means members of a cultural group with common origins, customs, and styles of living. This definition includes both ethnic and religious minorities.

(21)  "Criminal justice executive" includes executives of law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation agencies.

History.--s. 7, ch. 74-386; s. 4, ch. 78-323; s. 2, ch. 80-71; ss. 4, 24, 25, ch. 81-24; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 1, ch. 83-259; s. 2, ch. 83-265; s. 1, ch. 84-156; s. 3, ch. 84-258; ss. 6, 40, ch. 86-183; s. 5, ch. 86-187; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 39, ch. 89-526; s. 47, ch. 91-110; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 12, ch. 95-283; s. 1, ch. 97-225; s. 16, ch. 98-94.

943.11  Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission; membership; meetings; compensation.--

(1)(a)  There is created a Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission within the Department of Law Enforcement. The commission shall be composed of 19 members, consisting of the secretary of the Department of Corrections or a designated assistant; the Attorney General or a designated assistant; the Commissioner of Education or a designated assistant; the Director of the Division of the Florida Highway Patrol; and 15 members, to be appointed by the Governor, consisting of 3 sheriffs; 3 chiefs of police; 4 law enforcement officers who are neither sheriffs nor chiefs of police, at least 3 of whom are of the rank of sergeant or below within the employing agency; 2 correctional officers, 1 of whom is an administrator of a state correctional institution and 1 of whom is of the rank of sergeant or below within the employing agency; 1 training center director; 1 person who is in charge of a county correctional institution; and 1 resident of the state who falls into none of the foregoing classifications. Prior to the appointment, the sheriff, chief of police, law enforcement officer, and correctional officer members shall have had at least 4 years' experience as law enforcement officers or correctional officers.

(b)  The Governor, in making appointments under this section, shall take into consideration representation by geography, population, and other relevant factors in order that the representation on the commission be apportioned to give representation to the state at large rather than to a particular area. Of the appointed members, and except for correctional officers of a state institution, there may be only one appointment from any employing agency.

(c)  Members appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for terms of 4 years, and no member shall serve beyond the time he or she ceases to hold the office or employment by reason of which the member was eligible for appointment to the commission. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring because of death, resignation, or ineligibility for membership shall serve only for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor. Members who have been duly appointed as of the effective date of this act shall complete their terms of office.

(d)  Each member appointed by the Governor shall be accountable to the Governor for the proper performance of the duties of his or her office. The Governor may remove from office any such member for malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, incompetence, or permanent inability to perform official duties or for pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, or being found guilty of, a felony.

(e)  Membership on the commission shall be construed as an extension of the duties of the office by which the member was appointed to the commission. Membership on the commission does not disqualify a member from holding any other public office or being employed by a public entity, except that no member of the Legislature shall serve on the commission. The Legislature finds that the commission serves a state, county, and municipal purpose and that service on the commission is consistent with a member's principal service in a public office or employment.

(f)  Members of the commission shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as provided by s. 112.061.

(2)  The commission shall annually elect its chair and other officers. The commission shall hold at least four regular meetings each year at the call of the chair or upon the written request of three members of the commission. A majority of the members of the commission constitutes a quorum.

(3)  The Department of Legal Affairs shall serve as legal counsel to the commission.

History.--s. 7, ch. 74-386; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 4, ch. 78-323; s. 2, ch. 78-347; s. 3, ch. 80-71; ss. 5, 24, 25, ch. 81-24; s. 1, ch. 82-46; ss. 14, 18, ch. 82-149; s. 2, ch. 83-259; s. 2, ch. 83-265; s. 4, ch. 84-258; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 1, ch. 92-131; s. 1, ch. 93-252; s. 1628, ch. 97-102.

943.12  Powers, duties, and functions of the commission.--The commission shall:

(1)  Promulgate rules for the administration of ss. 943.085-943.255 pursuant to chapter 120.

(2)  Be responsible for the execution, administration, implementation, and evaluation of its powers, duties, and functions under ss. 943.085-943.255, including any rules promulgated or policies established hereunder.

(3)  Certify, and revoke the certification of, officers, instructors, and criminal justice training schools.

(4)  Establish uniform minimum employment standards for the various criminal justice disciplines.

(5)  Establish uniform minimum training standards for the training of officers in the various criminal justice disciplines.

(6)  Consult and cooperate with municipalities or the state or any political subdivision of the state and with universities, colleges, community colleges, and other educational institutions concerning the development of criminal justice training schools and programs or courses of instruction, including, but not necessarily limited to, education and training in the areas of criminal justice administration and all allied and supporting disciplines.

(7)  Authorize the issuance of certificates for criminal justice training schools.

(8)  Establish minimum curricular requirements for criminal justice training schools.

(9)  Authorize the issuance of certificates for instructors.

(10)  Make, publish, or encourage studies on any aspect of criminal justice education and training or recruitment, including the development of defensible and job-related psychological, selection, and performance evaluation tests.

(11)  With the approval of the head of the department, make and enter into such contracts and agreements with other agencies, organizations, associations, corporations, individuals, or federal agencies as the commission determines are necessary, expedient, or incidental to the performance of its duties or the execution of its powers.

(12)  Provide to each commission member and, upon request, to any sheriff, chief of police, state law enforcement or correctional agency chief administrator, or training center director or to any other concerned citizen minutes of commission meetings and notices and agendas of commission meetings.

(13)  Establish a central repository of records for the proper administration of its duties, powers, and functions.

(14)  Issue final orders which include findings of fact and conclusions of law and which constitute final agency action for the purpose of chapter 120.

(15)  Enforce compliance with provisions of this chapter through injunctive relief and civil fines.

(16)  Make recommendations concerning any matter within the purview of this chapter.

(17)  Promulgate rules for the certification and discipline of officers who engage in those specialized areas found to present a high risk of harm to the officer or the public at large and which would in turn increase the potential liability of an employing agency.

(18)  Implement, administer, maintain, and revise a job-related officer certification examination for each criminal justice discipline. The commission shall, by rule, establish procedures for the administration of the officer certification examinations. Further, the commission shall establish standards for acceptable performance for each officer certification examination.

History.--s. 7, ch. 74-386; s. 2, ch. 76-270; s. 2, ch. 78-291; s. 4, ch. 78-323; s. 298, ch. 79-400; s. 4, ch. 80-71; ss. 6, 24, 25, ch. 81-24; s. 1, ch. 82-46; ss. 15, 18, ch. 82-149; s. 3, ch. 83-259; s. 2, ch. 83-265; s. 2, ch. 84-156; s. 5, ch. 84-258; s. 6, ch. 85-224; s. 6, ch. 86-187; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 1, ch. 88-51; s. 48, ch. 91-110; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 3, ch. 93-252; s. 53, ch. 95-196.

943.125  Law enforcement agency accreditation.--

(1)  LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--

(a)  It is the intent of the Legislature that law enforcement agencies in the state be upgraded and strengthened through the adoption of meaningful standards of operation for those agencies.

(b)  It is the further intent of the Legislature that law enforcement agencies voluntarily adopt standards designed to promote equal and fair law enforcement, to maximize the capability of law enforcement agencies to prevent and control criminal activities, and to increase interagency cooperation throughout the state.

(c)  It is further the intent of the Legislature to encourage the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Police Chiefs Association to develop, either jointly or separately, a law enforcement agency accreditation program. Such program shall be independent of any law enforcement agency, the Florida Sheriffs Association, or the Florida Police Chiefs Association. Any such law enforcement agency accreditation program should address, at a minimum, the following aspects of law enforcement:

1.  Vehicle pursuits.

2.  Seizure and forfeiture of contraband articles.

3.  Recording and processing citizens' complaints.

4.  Use of force.

5.  Traffic stops.

6.  Handling natural and manmade disasters.

7.  Special operations.

8.  Prisoner transfer.

9.  Collection and preservation of evidence.

10.  Recruitment and selection.

11.  Officer training.

12.  Performance evaluations.

13.  Law enforcement disciplinary procedures and rights.

14.  Use of criminal investigative funds.

(2)  FEASIBILITY AND STATUS REPORT.--The Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Police Chiefs Association, either jointly or separately, shall report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate regarding the feasibility of a law enforcement agency accreditation program and the status of the efforts of the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Police Chiefs Association to develop a law enforcement agency accreditation program as provided in this section.

(3)  ARREST AND SECURITY PROTOCOLS REPORT.--No later than October 1, 1996, the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Police Chiefs Association, either jointly or separately, and in consultation with the Association of Voluntary Hospitals of Florida, Inc. and the Statutory Teaching Hospital Council, shall develop protocols establishing when injured apprehendees will be placed under arrest and how security will be provided during any hospitalization of such apprehendees, and shall report to the Legislature by January 1, 1997, on the protocols that have been established. The report developed pursuant to this section shall also address the cost to hospitals of providing unreimbursed medical services to persons who are injured in the course of or at the time of apprehension.

History.--s. 4, ch. 93-252; s. 68, ch. 96-388.

943.13  Officers' minimum qualifications for employment or appointment.--On or after October 1, 1984, any person employed or appointed as a full-time, part-time, or auxiliary law enforcement officer or correctional officer; on or after October 1, 1986, any person employed as a full-time, part-time, or auxiliary correctional probation officer; and on or after October 1, 1986, any person employed as a full-time, part-time, or auxiliary correctional officer by a private entity under contract to the Department of Corrections, to a county commission, or to the Correctional Privatization Commission shall:

(1)  Be at least 19 years of age.

(2)  Be a citizen of the United States, notwithstanding any law of the state to the contrary.

(3)  Be a high school graduate or its "equivalent" as the commission has defined the term by rule.

(4)  Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, or have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States. Any person who, after July 1, 1981, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement is not eligible for employment or appointment as an officer, notwithstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication. Notwithstanding this subsection, any person who has pled nolo contendere to a misdemeanor involving a false statement, prior to December 1, 1985, and has had such record sealed or expunged shall not be deemed ineligible for employment or appointment as an officer.

(5)  Have documentation of his or her processed fingerprints on file with the employing agency or, if a private correctional officer, have documentation of his or her processed fingerprints on file with the Department of Corrections or the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. If administrative delays are caused by the department or the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the person has complied with subsections (1)-(4) and (6)-(9), he or she may be employed or appointed for a period not to exceed 1 calendar year from the date he or she was employed or appointed or until return of the processed fingerprints documenting noncompliance with subsections (1)-(4) or subsection (7), whichever occurs first.

(6)  Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician, based on specifications established by the commission.

(7)  Have a good moral character as determined by a background investigation under procedures established by the commission.

(8)  Execute and submit to the employing agency or, if a private correctional officer, submit to the appropriate governmental entity an affidavit-of-applicant form, adopted by the commission, attesting to his or her compliance with subsections (1)-(7). The affidavit shall be executed under oath and constitutes an official statement within the purview of s. 837.06. The affidavit shall include conspicuous language that the intentional false execution of the affidavit constitutes a misdemeanor of the second degree. The affidavit shall be retained by the employing agency.

(9)  Complete a commission-approved basic recruit training program for the applicable criminal justice discipline, unless exempt under this subsection. An applicant who has:

(a)  Completed a comparable basic recruit training program for the applicable criminal justice discipline in another state or for the Federal Government; and

(b)  Served as a full-time sworn officer in another state or for the Federal Government for at least one year

is exempt in accordance with s. 943.131(2) from completing the commission-approved basic recruit training program.

(10)  Achieve an acceptable score on the officer certification examination for the applicable criminal justice discipline.

(11)  Comply with the continuing training or education requirements of s. 943.135.

History.--s. 7, ch. 74-386; s. 1, ch. 76-277; s. 4, ch. 78-323; s. 5, ch. 80-71; ss. 7, 24, 25, ch. 81-24; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 2, ch. 83-265; s. 6, ch. 84-258; ss. 7, 41, ch. 86-183; s. 7, ch. 86-187; ss. 1, 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 2, ch. 92-131; s. 5, ch. 93-252; s. 1, ch. 95-408; s. 1629, ch. 97-102; s. 2, ch. 97-225.

943.131  Temporary employment or appointment; minimum basic recruit training exemption.--

(1)(a)  An employing agency may temporarily employ or appoint a person who complies with the qualifications for employment in s. 943.13(1)-(8), but has not fulfilled the requirements of s. 943.13(9) and (10), if a critical need exists to employ or appoint the person and such person is or will be enrolled in the next approved basic recruit training program available in the geographic area or that no assigned state training program for state officers is available within a reasonable time. The employing agency must maintain documentation which demonstrates that a critical need exists to employ a person pursuant to this section. Prior to the employment or appointment of any person other than a correctional probation officer under this subsection, the person shall comply with the firearms provisions established pursuant to s. 943.17(1)(a). Any person temporarily employed or appointed as an officer under this subsection must attend the first training program offered in the geographic area, or the first assigned state training program for a state officer, subsequent to his or her employment or appointment. Further, upon successful completion of the basic recruit training program, any person temporarily employed or appointed as an officer must fulfill the requirements of s. 943.13(10) within 180 consecutive days.

(b)  In no case may the person be temporarily employed or appointed for more than 180 consecutive days, and such temporary employment or appointment is not renewable by the employing agency or transferable to another employing agency. However, a person who is temporarily employed or appointed and is attending the first training program offered in the geographic area, or has been assigned to a state training program, may continue to be temporarily employed or appointed until the person:

1.  Successfully completes the basic recruit training program and achieves an acceptable score on the officer certification examination;

2.  Fails or withdraws from any course of the basic recruit training program;

3.  Fails to achieve an acceptable score on the officer certification examination within 180 consecutive days after the successful completion of the basic recruit training program; or

4.  Is separated from employment or appointment by the employing agency.

(c)  No person temporarily employed or appointed under the provisions of this subsection may perform the duties of an officer unless he or she is adequately supervised by another officer of the same discipline. The supervising officer must be in full compliance with the provisions of s. 943.13 and must be employed or appointed by the employing agency.

(2)  If an applicant seeks an exemption from completing a commission-approved basic recruit training program, the employing agency must verify that the applicant has successfully completed a comparable basic recruit training program in another state or for the Federal Government. Further, the employing agency must verify that the applicant has served as a full-time sworn officer in another state or for the Federal Government for at least one year. When the employing agency obtains written documentation regarding the applicant's criminal justice experience, the documentation must be submitted to the commission. The commission shall determine if the applicant is exempt from completing the commission-approved basic recruit training program, and shall notify the employing agency. If the applicant is exempt from completing the commission-approved basic recruit training program, the applicant must complete training, as required by the commission by rule, in areas which include, but are not limited to, defensive driving, defensive tactics, firearms training, and first responder training. Except as provided in subsection (1), before the employing agency may employ or appoint the applicant as an officer, the applicant must meet the minimum qualifications described in s. 943.13(1)-(8), and must fulfill the requirements of s. 943.13(10).

History.--s. 7, ch. 84-258; s. 72, ch. 85-62; s. 7, ch. 85-224; s. 42, ch. 86-183; s. 2, ch. 86-286; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 7, ch. 93-252; s. 1630, ch. 97-102; s. 3, ch. 97-225.

943.133  Responsibilities of employing agency, commission, and program with respect to compliance with employment qualifications and the conduct of background investigations; injunctive relief.--

(1)  The employing agency is fully responsible for the collection, verification, and maintenance of documentation establishing that an applicant complies with the requirements of ss. 943.13 and 943.131, and any rules adopted pursuant to ss. 943.13 and 943.131.

(2)  Prior to the employment or appointment of any officer, the chief law enforcement or correctional officer administrator or probation and parole regional administrator of the employing agency, or his or her designee, is required to execute and maintain a registration affidavit-of-compliance form adopted by the commission, attesting to compliance by the employing agency with subsection (1). The affidavit shall be executed under oath and constitutes an official statement within the purview of s. 837.06. The affidavit shall include conspicuous language that intentional false execution of the affidavit constitutes a misdemeanor of the second degree. The information contained in the registration affidavit-of-compliance form must be submitted, or electronically transmitted, to the commission.

(3)  The commission shall adopt rules that establish procedures for conducting background investigations. The rules must specify a form for employing agencies to use to document the findings of the background investigation. Before employing or appointing any officer, the employing agency must conduct a thorough background investigation in accordance with the rules. The background information should include information setting forth the facts and reasons for any of the applicant's previous separations from private or public employment or appointment, as the applicant understands them. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "separation from employment or appointment" includes any firing, termination, resignation, retirement, or voluntary or involuntary extended leave of absence from any salaried or nonsalaried position. The employing agency must maintain the original background investigation form, which must be signed by the administrator of the employing agency or his or her designee.

(4)  When the employing agency is a private entity under contract to the county or the state pursuant to s. 944.105, s. 951.062, or chapter 957, the contracting agency shall be responsible for meeting the requirements of subsections (1), (2), and (3).

(5)  The commission may inspect and copy the documentation of an employing agency to ensure compliance with subsection (1).

(6)  If an employing agency employs or appoints an officer in violation of this section or of s. 943.13, s. 943.131, or s. 943.135, or any rules adopted pursuant thereto, the Department of Legal Affairs, at the request of the chair of the commission, shall apply to the circuit court in the county of the employing agency for injunctive relief prohibiting the employment or appointment of the person contrary to this section.

(7)  The employing agency must annually submit information to the commission, as specified by rule, relating to all certified officers employed by or appointed to the employing agency so that the commission may update its records for all certified officers.

History.--s. 8, ch. 84-258; ss. 8, 43, ch. 86-183; s. 2, ch. 86-286; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 3, ch. 92-131; s. 9, ch. 93-252; s. 2, ch. 95-408; s. 1631, ch. 97-102; s. 4, ch. 97-225; s. 17, ch. 98-94.

943.135  Requirements for continued employment.--

(1)  The commission shall, by rule, adopt a program that requires all officers, as a condition of continued employment or appointment as officers, to receive periodic commission-approved continuing training or education. Such continuing training or education shall be required at the rate of 40 hours every 4 years. No officer shall be denied a reasonable opportunity by the employing agency to comply with this section. The employing agency must document that the continuing training or education is job-related and consistent with the needs of the employing agency. The employing agency must maintain and submit, or electronically transmit, the documentation to the commission, in a format approved by the commission. The rule shall also provide:

(a)  Assistance to an employing agency in identifying each affected officer, the date of his or her employment or appointment, and his or her most recent date for successful completion of continuing training or education;

(b)  A procedure for reactivation of the certification of an officer who is not in compliance with this section; and

(c)  A remediation program supervised by the training center director within the geographic area for any officer who is attempting to comply with the provisions of this subsection and in whom learning disabilities are identified. The officer shall be assigned nonofficer duties, without loss of employee benefits, and the program shall not exceed 90 days.

(2)  Continuing training or education required under this section may not be used to qualify an officer for salary incentive payments provided under s. 943.22.

(3)  For the purposes of this section, the employing agency is responsible for notifying the commission of any omission of any approved training not included in the records of the commission.

(4)(a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person holding active certification from the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission as a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer, as defined in s. 943.10(1), (2), (3), (6), (7), (8), or (9), who resigns his or her position as law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer for the sole purpose of serving in an office to which the person has been elected or appointed and to thereby avoid the prohibition against dual officeholding established in s. 5(a), Art. II of the State Constitution may be allowed to retain active certification in a special status during the tenure of the elected or appointed office if, at the time of resignation, the person:

1.  Was employed by or associated with an employing agency in a manner authorized by this chapter;

2.  Was not subject to an internal investigation or employment action to discipline or dismiss by the employing agency;

3.  Was not subject to criminal investigation or prosecution by any state or federal authority; and

4.  Was not subject to an investigation or action against his or her certification by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission,

and that subsequent to the resignation the person otherwise complies with this subsection.

(b)  Any person who qualifies under paragraph (a) may, for purposes of meeting the minimum mandatory continuing training or education requirements of this section, at the option of an employing agency, associate with that agency for the sole purpose of securing continuing training or education as required by this section and for allowing the agency to report completion of the education or training to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. The employing agency with which the person has associated shall submit proof of completion of any education or training so obtained for purposes of demonstrating compliance with this section and shall indicate that the person for whom the credits are reported has secured the training under the special status authorized by this section. ¹An employing agency may require any person so associated to attend continuing training or education at the person's own expense and may determine the courses or training that a person is to attend while associated with the agency. Any person who is permitted to associate with an employing agency for purposes of obtaining and reporting education or continuing training credits while serving in an elected or appointed public office shall not be considered to be employed by the employing agency or considered by the association with the employing agency to maintain an office under s. 5(a), Art. II of the State Constitution.

(c)  The period of time a person serves in an elected or appointed office and thereby maintains the special certification status authorized by this section may not be considered in calculating whether the person is considered to have incurred a break in service for purposes of maintaining active certification by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.

(d)  An employing agency that receives a resignation from a person for the purpose of avoiding the dual officeholding prohibition as discussed in this subsection shall verify that the person who has resigned is in fact serving in an elected or public office and report the verification, including an indication of the office in which the person is serving to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission via the affidavit of separation of employment used by the commission.

(e)  Any person seeking the benefit of this subsection shall, upon request, provide to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission any documentation or proof required by the commission to evaluate the person's eligibility under this subsection, to evaluate a submission of continuing training or education credits as authorized by this subsection, or to determine the duration of any tenure in an elected or appointed public office, including any extension of the status by reason of reelection or reappointment or by election or appointment to a different office.

History.--s. 9, ch. 84-258; s. 73, ch. 85-62; s. 44, ch. 86-183; s. 2, ch. 86-286; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 10, ch. 93-252; s. 1632, ch. 97-102; s. 3, ch. 98-249; s. 11, ch. 98-251.

¹Note.--This sentence as amended by s. 11, ch. 98-251; similar material was enacted in two sentences by s. 3, ch. 98-249. The s. 3, ch. 98-249, version reads: "A person permitted to associate with such agency for the purpose of continuing training or education may be required to attend such training at his or her own expense. The agency shall provide guidance to such persons as to what training is necessary for the associated person to meet the standards set by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission."

943.137  Establishment of qualifications and standards above the minimum.--

(1)  Nothing herein may be construed to preclude an employing agency from establishing qualifications and standards for employment, appointment, training, or promotion of officers that exceed the minimum requirements set by ss. 943.13 and 943.17.

(2)  The qualifications of an employing agency that exceed the minimum employment or basic recruit training course established by the commission are binding on individuals affected and shall be recognized by the commission.

History.--s. 10, ch. 84-258; s. 8, ch. 86-187; s. 2, ch. 86-286; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 5, ch. 91-429.

943.139  Notice of employment, appointment, or separation; response by the officer; duty of commission.--

(1)  An employing agency shall immediately notify the commission in writing, on a form adopted by the commission, of the employment or appointment, or separation from employment or appointment, of any officer. The employing agency must maintain the original form and submit, or electronically transmit, this information to the commission. Separation from employment or appointment includes any firing, termination, resignation, retirement, or voluntary or involuntary extended leave of absence of any officer.

(2)  In a case of separation from employment or appointment, the employing agency shall execute and maintain an affidavit-of-separation form adopted by the commission, setting forth in detail the facts and reasons for such separation. The information contained in the affidavit-of-separation form must be submitted, or electronically transmitted, to the commission. If the officer is separated for his or her failure to comply with s. 943.13, the notice must so specify. The affidavit must be executed under oath and constitutes an official statement within the purview of s. 837.06. The affidavit must include conspicuous language that intentional false execution of the affidavit constitutes a misdemeanor of the second degree. Any officer who has separated from employment or appointment must be permitted to respond to the separation, in writing, to the commission, setting forth the facts and reasons for the separation as he or she understands them.

(3)  Before employing or appointing an officer, a subsequent employing agency must contact the commission to inquire as to the facts and reasons an officer became separated from any previous employing agency. The commission shall, upon request and without prejudice, provide to the subsequent employing agency all information that is required under subsections (1) and (2) and that is in its possession.

(4)  An administrator of an employing agency who discloses information pursuant to this section is immune from civil liability in accordance with the provisions of s. 768.095.

History.--s. 11, ch. 84-258; s. 9, ch. 86-187; s. 2, ch. 86-286; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 4, ch. 92-131; s. 11, ch. 93-252; s. 1633, ch. 97-102; s. 5, ch. 97-225.

943.1395  Certification for employment or appointment; concurrent certification; reemployment or reappointment; inactive status; revocation; suspension; investigation.--

(1)  The commission shall certify, under procedures established by rule, any person for employment or appointment as an officer if:

(a)  The person complies with s. 943.13(1)-(10); and

(b)  The employing agency complies with s. 943.133(2) and (3).

(2)  An officer who is certified in one discipline and who complies with s. 943.13 in another discipline shall hold concurrent certification and may be assigned in either discipline within his or her employing agency.

(3)  Any certified officer who has separated from employment or appointment and who is not reemployed or reappointed by an employing agency within 4 years after the date of separation must meet the minimum qualifications described in s. 943.13, except for the requirement found in s. 943.13(9). Further, such officer must complete any training required by the commission by rule.

(4)  The certification of an officer who fails to comply with s. 943.135(1) shall be inactive, and the officer may not be employed or appointed as an officer until he or she complies with the provisions of s. 943.135(1).

(5)  The employing agency must conduct an internal investigation if it has cause to suspect that an officer is not in compliance with, or has failed to maintain compliance with, s. 943.13(4) or (7). If an officer is not in compliance with, or has failed to maintain compliance with, s. 943.13(4) or (7), the employing agency must submit the investigative findings and supporting information and documentation to the commission in accordance with rules adopted by the commission.

(6)  The commission shall revoke the certification of any officer who is not in compliance with the provisions of s. 943.13(4) or who intentionally executes a false affidavit established in s. 943.13(8), s. 943.133(2), or s. 943.139(2).

(a)  The commission shall cause to be investigated any ground for revocation from the employing agency pursuant to s. 943.139 or from the Governor, and the commission may investigate verifiable complaints. Any investigation initiated by the commission pursuant to this section must be completed within 6 months after receipt of the completed report of the disciplinary or internal affairs investigation from the employing agency or Governor's office. A verifiable complaint shall be completed within 1 year after receipt of the complaint. An investigation shall be considered completed upon a finding by a probable cause panel of the commission. These time periods shall be tolled during the period of any criminal prosecution of the officer.

(b)  The report of misconduct and all records or information provided to or developed by the commission during the course of an investigation conducted by the commission are exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution and, except as otherwise provided by law, such information shall be subject to public disclosure only after a determination as to probable cause has been made or until the investigation becomes inactive.

(c)  When an officer's certification is revoked in any discipline, his or her certification in any other discipline shall simultaneously be revoked.

(7)  Upon a finding by the commission that a certified officer has not maintained good moral character, the definition of which has been adopted by rule and is established as a statewide standard, as required by s. 943.13(7), the commission may enter an order imposing one or more of the following penalties:

(a)  Revocation of certification.

(b)  Suspension of certification for a period not to exceed 2 years.

(c)  Placement on a probationary status for a period not to exceed 2 years, subject to terms and conditions imposed by the commission. Upon the violation of such terms and conditions, the commission may revoke certification or impose additional penalties as enumerated in this subsection.

(d)  Successful completion by the officer of any basic recruit, advanced, or career development training or such retraining deemed appropriate by the commission.

(e)  Issuance of a reprimand.

(8)(a)  The commission shall, by rule, adopt disciplinary guidelines and procedures to administer the penalties provided in subsections (6) and (7). The commission may, by rule, prescribe penalties for certain offenses. The commission shall, by rule, set forth aggravating and mitigating circumstances to be considered when imposing the penalties provided in subsection (7).

(b)  The disciplinary guidelines and prescribed penalties must be based upon the severity of specific offenses. The guidelines must provide reasonable and meaningful notice to officers and to the public of penalties that may be imposed for prohibited conduct. The penalties must be consistently applied by the commission.

(c)  For the purpose of implementing the penalties provided in subsections (6) and (7), the chair of the commission may appoint one or more panels of three commissioners each to determine probable cause. In lieu of a finding of probable cause, the probable cause panel may issue a letter of guidance to the officer. However, when an employing agency disciplines an officer and the officer's employment is continued or reinstated by the agency, a probable cause panel may review the sustained disciplinary charges and disciplinary penalty, determine whether or not the penalty conforms to the disciplinary penalties prescribed by rule, and, in writing and on behalf of the commission, notify the employing agency and officer of the results of the review. If the penalty conforms to the disciplinary penalty provided by rule, the officer and employing agency shall be notified, in writing, that no further action shall be taken. If the penalty does not conform to such disciplinary penalty prescribed by rule, the officer and employer shall be notified, in writing, of further action to be taken.

(d)  An administrative law judge assigned to conduct a hearing under ss. 120.569 and 120.57(1) regarding allegations that an officer is not in compliance with, or has failed to maintain compliance with, s. 943.13(4) or (7) must, in his or her recommended order:

1.  Adhere to the disciplinary guidelines and penalties set forth in subsections (6) and (7) and the rules adopted by the commission for the type of offense committed.

2.  Specify, in writing, any aggravating or mitigating circumstance that he or she considered in determining the recommended penalty.

Any deviation from the disciplinary guidelines or prescribed penalty must be based upon circumstances or factors that reasonably justify the aggravation or mitigation of the penalty. Any deviation from the disciplinary guidelines or prescribed penalty must be explained, in writing, by the administrative law judge.

History.--s. 12, ch. 84-258; s. 8, ch. 85-224; s. 10, ch. 86-187; s. 2, ch. 86-286; ss. 2, 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 2, ch. 88-51; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 5, ch. 92-131; s. 12, ch. 93-252; s. 1, ch. 94-252; s. 3, ch. 95-408; s. 445, ch. 96-406; s. 319, ch. 96-410; s. 1850, ch. 97-102.

943.1397  Officer certification examinations; fee.--

(1)  Except as provided in subsection (4), on and after July 1, 1993, the commission shall not certify any person as an officer until the person has achieved an acceptable score on the officer certification examination for the applicable criminal justice discipline. The commission shall establish procedures by rule for the administration of the officer certification examinations and student examination reviews. Further, the commission shall establish standards for acceptable performance on each officer certification examination.

(2)  For any applicant who fails to achieve an acceptable score on an officer certification examination, the commission shall, by rule, establish a procedure for retaking the examination, and the rule may include a remedial training program requirement. An applicant shall not take an officer certification examination more than three times, unless the applicant has reenrolled in, and successfully completed, the basic recruit training program.

(3)  The commission shall set a fee for the officer certification examination, not to exceed $150. The fee applies to one scheduled examination attempt and is not refundable if the applicant does not appear for the examination or does not achieve an acceptable score on the examination. Officer certification examination fees collected pursuant to this subsection shall be placed in the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund.

(4)  The provisions of subsection (1) and s. 943.13(10) do not apply to an applicant who was enrolled in a commission-approved basic recruit training program prior to July 1, 1993.

History.--s. 13, ch. 93-252; s. 13, ch. 95-283; s. 4, ch. 95-408.

943.14  Criminal justice training schools; certificates and diplomas; exemptions; injunctive relief; fines.--

(1)  Each criminal justice training school approved by the commission shall obtain from the commission a certificate of compliance, with rules of the commission, signed by the chair of the commission. Any training or educational courses which are taught in any criminal justice training school must first be approved in writing by the commission.

(2)  Any certificate or diploma issued by any criminal justice training school which relates to completion, graduation, or attendance in criminal justice training or educational subjects, or related matters, must be approved by the commission.

(3)  The commission shall establish, by rule, certification procedures for all instructors in any criminal justice training school.

(4)  Prior to the issuance of a certificate of compliance, or as a condition of continuing certification, all records of any criminal justice training school that relate to training and all financial and personnel records of the school shall be made available to the commission upon request.

(5)  No private criminal justice training school may include within its name the word "commission," "bureau," or "division" together with the word "Florida" or "state," the name of any county or municipality, or any misleading derivative thereof which might be construed to represent a government agency or an entity authorized by a government agency.

(6)  Criminal justice training schools and courses which are licensed and operated in accordance with the rules of the State Board of Education and the rules of the commission are exempt from the requirements of subsections (1)-(5). However, any school which instructs approved commission courses must meet the requirements of subsections (1)-(5).

(7)(a)  Commission-approved correctional probation courses and subjects which are taught by Florida 4-year accredited colleges and universities are exempt^from subsections (1)-(5) except for such documentation which may be required by the commission. The commission retains control over the content of courses and subjects covered by this subsection as specified in s. 943.17(1)(a). Florida 4-year accredited colleges and universities must obtain approval from the commission prior to offering correctional probation courses. Florida 4-year accredited colleges and universities offering the Correctional Probation Training Program shall teach the learning objectives specified by the commission. The administration of the commission's Correctional Probation Training Program within a Florida 4-year accredited college or university shall fall within the institution's established guidelines for course delivery and student attendance. The Florida 4-year accredited college or university shall provide to the commission and to the student proof of successful completion of all the approved objectives required by the commission for the academic courses approved for the Correctional Probation Training Program. The commission-certified training school administering the commission-required correctional probation high-liability training shall provide to the commission and to the student proof of successful completion of all approved objectives.

(b)  All other criminal justice sciences or administration courses or subjects which are a part of the curriculum of any accredited college, university, community college, or vocational-technical center of this state, and all full-time instructors of such institutions, are exempt from the provisions of subsections (1)-(5).

(8)(a)  If a criminal justice training school or person violates this section, or any rule adopted pursuant hereto, the Department of Legal Affairs, at the request of the chair of the commission, shall apply to the circuit court in the county in which the violation or violations occurred for injunctive relief prohibiting the criminal justice training school or person from operating contrary to this section.

(b)1.  In addition to any injunctive relief available under paragraph (a), the commission may impose a civil fine upon any criminal justice training school or person who violates subsection (1) or subsection (5), or any rule adopted pursuant thereto, of up to $10,000 for each violation, which fine shall be paid into the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund. The commission may impose a civil fine upon any criminal justice training school or person who violates subsection (2), subsection (3), or subsection (4), or any rule adopted pursuant thereto, of up to $1,000 for each violation, which fine shall be paid into the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund.

2.  A proceeding under this paragraph shall comply with the provisions of chapter 120, and the final order of the commission constitutes final agency action for the purposes of chapter 120. When the commission imposes a civil fine and the fine is not paid within a reasonable time, the Department of Legal Affairs, at the request of the chair of the commission, shall bring a civil action under the provisions of s. 120.69 to recover the fine. The commission and the Department of Legal Affairs are not required to post any bond in any proceeding herein.

History.--s. 7, ch. 74-386; s. 2, ch. 76-277; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 1, ch. 78-259; s. 4, ch. 78-323; s. 6, ch. 80-71; s. 2, ch. 80-276; ss. 8, 24, 25, ch. 81-24; s. 1, ch. 82-46; ss. 16, 18, ch. 82-149; s. 181, ch. 83-216; ss. 4, 9, ch. 83-259; s. 2, ch. 83-265; s. 3, ch. 84-156; s. 13, ch. 84-258; s. 37, ch. 84-310; s. 11, ch. 86-187; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 3, ch. 89-205; s. 9, ch. 90-364; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 14, ch. 93-252; s. 5, ch. 95-408; s. 52, ch. 96-312; s. 1851, ch. 97-102; s. 117, ch. 99-3.

943.146  Securing of copyrights by the department and sale of department work products.--

(1)  As used in this section, the term "product" includes any and all inventions, methodologies, techniques, and creations that may be properly protected by patent, copyright, or trademark. The term specifically includes, but is not limited to, job task analyses; all curricula developed for basic or postbasic training in the disciplines of law enforcement, corrections, and correctional probation; support materials, including, but not limited to, associated instructor or student guides, textbooks, computer software, and video, electronic, and digital materials; and all other materials, regardless of form, developed by or on behalf of the commission to support the delivery of the basic recruit or postbasic training in the disciplines of law enforcement, corrections, and correctional probation.

(2)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Department of Law Enforcement is authorized, in its own name, to:

(a)  Perform all things necessary to secure copyrights on any legitimately acquired work product and to enforce its rights therein.

(b)  License, lease, assign, or otherwise give written consent to any person, firm, or corporation for the publication, manufacture, or use of any product protected by copyright, whether on a royalty basis or for such other consideration as the department may deem proper.

(c)  Take any action necessary, including legal action to enforce its rights under any agreement and to protect its property rights from improper or unlawful use or infringement.

(d)  Enforce the collection of any payments or other obligations due to the department for the publication or use of any product by any other party.

(e)  Sell any product, except where otherwise provided by public records laws, which the department may create or cause to be created, whether or not the product is protected by a copyright of the department, and to execute all instruments necessary to consummate any such sale.

(f)  Do all other acts necessary and proper for the execution of powers and duties conferred upon the department under this section.

(3)  The department shall notify the Department of State in writing whenever property rights by copyright are secured or exploited by the department.

(4)  Any proceeds from the sale of products or the right to publish or use a product shall be deposited in the Grants and Donations Trust Fund of the department and may be appropriated to finance activities of the department.

History.--s. 12, ch. 98-251.

943.16  Payment of tuition or officer certification examination fee by employing agency.--

(1)  An employing agency is authorized to pay any costs of tuition of a trainee in attendance at an approved basic recruit training program.

(2)  A trainee who attends such approved training program at the expense of an employing agency must remain in the employment or appointment of such employing agency for a period of not less than 1 year. If employment or appointment is terminated on the trainee's own initiative within 1 year, he or she shall reimburse the employing agency for the cost of his or her participation; and such employing agency may institute a civil action to collect such tuition cost if it is not reimbursed.

(3)  An employing agency is authorized to pay the required fee for an applicant to take the officer certification examination on one occasion.

History.--s. 7, ch. 74-386; s. 4, ch. 78-323; s. 7, ch. 80-71; ss. 24, 25, ch. 81-24; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 2, ch. 83-265; s. 14, ch. 84-258; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 15, ch. 93-252; s. 1634, ch. 97-102.

943.17  Basic recruit, advanced, and career development training programs; participation; cost; evaluation.--The commission shall, by rule, design, implement, maintain, evaluate, and revise job-related curricula and performance standards for basic recruit, advanced, and career development training programs and courses. The rules shall include, but are not limited to, a methodology to assess relevance of the subject matter to the job, student performance, and instructor competency.

(1)  The commission shall:

(a)  Design, implement, maintain, evaluate, and revise a basic recruit training program for the purpose of providing minimum employment training qualifications for all officers to be employed or appointed in each discipline.

(b)  Design, implement, maintain, evaluate, and revise an advanced training program which is limited to those courses enhancing an officer's knowledge, skills, and abilities for the job he or she performs.

(c)  Design, implement, maintain, evaluate, and revise a career development training program which is limited to those courses related to promotion to a higher rank or position. Career development courses will not be eligible for funding as provided in s. 943.25(9).

(d)  For any existing or newly established course, adopt an examination and assessment instrument that is job-related and measures an officer's acquisition of knowledge, skills, and abilities. An acceptable level of measurable student performance shall also be developed for each course.

(e)  Implement, administer, maintain, and revise a job-related officer certification examination for each discipline.

(f)  Acknowledge any specialized training course approved by the commission prior to October 1, 1984, as an inservice training course under s. 943.175, except that the radar training course developed under former s. 943.14(14), Florida Statutes 1983, shall be considered an approved advanced training program course.

(2)  The commission is encouraged to design, implement, maintain, evaluate, and revise criminal justice training courses, or to enter into contracts for such training courses, that are intended to provide for the safety and well-being of the citizens of and visitors to this state.

(3)  The program shall be responsible for the accuracy of curriculum content through the identification and revision of typographical or grammatical errors, incorrect statutory citations, or information which can be identified as inaccurate by superior references. The commission shall be advised of any revision, and a copy of revised curricula shall be provided to all criminal justice training schools.

(4)  The commission may, by rule, establish a sponsorship program for prospective officers. The rule shall specify the provisions of s. 943.13 that must be satisfied prior to the prospective officer's enrollment in a basic recruit training course. However, the rule shall not conflict with any laws or rules of the Department of Education relating to student enrollment.

(5)  The commission, in consultation with the Florida Violent Crime Council, shall establish standards for basic and advanced training programs for law enforcement officers in the subjects of investigating and preventing violent crime. After January 1, 1995, every basic skills course required in order for law enforcement officers to obtain initial certification must include training on violent crime prevention and investigations.

History.--s. 7, ch. 74-386; s. 4, ch. 78-323; s. 7, ch. 80-71; ss. 10, 24, 25, ch. 81-24; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 2, ch. 83-265; s. 15, ch. 84-258; s. 12, ch. 86-187; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 8, ch. 93-204; s. 16, ch. 93-252; s. 6, ch. 95-408; s. 1635, ch. 97-102; s. 40, ch. 97-271; s. 18, ch. 98-94.

943.1701  Uniform statewide policies and procedures; duty of the commission.--The commission, with the advice and cooperation of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Florida Sheriffs Association, the Florida Police Chiefs Association, and other agencies that verify, serve, and enforce injunctions for protection against domestic violence, shall develop by rule uniform statewide policies and procedures to be incorporated into required courses of basic law enforcement training and continuing education. These statewide policies and procedures shall include:

(1)  The duties and responsibilities of law enforcement in response to domestic violence calls, enforcement of injunctions, and data collection.

(2)  The legal duties imposed on law enforcement officers to make arrests and offer protection and assistance, including guidelines for making felony and misdemeanor arrests.

(3)  Techniques for handling incidents of domestic violence that minimize the likelihood of injury to the officer and that promote safety of the victim.

(4)  The dynamics of domestic violence and the magnitude of the problem.

(5)  The legal rights of, and remedies available to, victims of domestic violence.

(6)  Documentation, report writing, and evidence collection.

(7)  Tenancy issues and domestic violence.

(8)  The impact of law enforcement intervention in preventing future violence.

(9)  Special needs of children at the scene of domestic violence and the subsequent impact on their lives.

(10)  The services and facilities available to victims and batterers.

(11)  The use and application of sections of the Florida Statutes as they relate to domestic violence situations.

(12)  Verification, enforcement, and service of injunctions for protection when the suspect is present and when the suspect has fled.

(13)  Emergency assistance to victims and how to assist victims in pursuing criminal justice options.

(14)  Working with uncooperative victims, when the officer becomes the complainant.

History.--s. 10, ch. 91-210; s. 7, ch. 95-408.

943.1702  Collection of statistics on domestic violence.--

(1)  In compiling the Department of Law Enforcement Crime in Florida Annual Report, the department shall include the results of the arrest policy provided for under s. 901.15(7)(a) with respect to domestic violence to include: separate statistics on occurrences of and arrests for domestic versus nondomestic violence, such as battery, aggravated battery, assault, aggravated assault, sexual battery, the illegal use of firearms, arson, homicide, murder, manslaughter, or the attempt of any of the above.

(2)  Each agency in the state which is involved with the enforcement, monitoring, or prosecution of crimes of domestic violence shall collect and maintain records of each domestic violence incident for access by investigators preparing for bond hearings and prosecutions for acts of domestic violence. This information shall be provided to the court at first appearance hearings and all subsequent hearings.

History.--s. 11, ch. 91-210.

943.171  Basic skills training in handling domestic violence cases.--

(1)  The commission shall establish standards for instruction of law enforcement officers in the subject of domestic violence. Every basic skills course required in order for law enforcement officers to obtain initial certification shall, after January 1, 1986, include a minimum of 6 hours of training in handling domestic violence cases. Such training must include training in the recognition and determination of the primary aggressor in domestic violence cases.

(2)  As used in this section, the term:

(a)  "Domestic violence" means any assault, battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, or any criminal offense resulting in the physical injury or death of one family or household member by another who is or was residing in the same single dwelling unit.

(b)  "Household member" means spouse, former spouse, persons related by blood or marriage, persons who are presently residing together, as if a family, or who have resided together in the past, as if a family, and persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they have been married or have resided together at any time.

History.--ss. 2, 8, ch. 84-343; s. 2, ch. 86-286; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 8, ch. 91-210; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 4, ch. 97-298.

943.1715  Basic skills training relating to diverse populations.--The commission shall establish and maintain standards for instruction of officers in the subject of interpersonal skills relating to diverse populations, with an emphasis on the awareness of cultural differences. Every basic skills course required in order for officers to obtain initial certification must include a minimum of 8 hours training in interpersonal skills with diverse populations.

History.--ss. 9, 10, ch. 91-74; s. 6, ch. 97-225.

943.1716  Continued employment training relating to diverse populations.--The commission shall by rule require that each officer receive, as part of the 40 hours of required instruction for continued employment or appointment as an officer, 8 hours of instruction in the subject of interpersonal skills relating to diverse populations, with an emphasis on the awareness of cultural differences.

History.--ss. 9, 11, ch. 91-74; s. 7, ch. 97-225.

943.172  Basic skills training in victims assistance and rights.--The commission shall establish standards for instruction of law enforcement officers in the subject of victims assistance and rights. Every basic skills course required in order for law enforcement officers, probation officers, and other appropriate correctional staff to obtain initial certification must, after January 1, 1989, include a minimum of 4 hours of training in victims assistance and rights.

History.--s. 7, ch. 88-96.

943.1725  Basic skills training on human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome.--The commission shall establish standards for instruction of law enforcement officers in the subject of human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Instruction shall include information of known modes of transmission and methods of controlling and preventing human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome with emphasis on appropriate behavior and attitude change.

History.--s. 11, ch. 88-380.

943.1728  Basic skills training relating to the protection of archaeological sites.--The commission shall establish standards for instruction of law enforcement officers in the subject of skills relating to the protection of archaeological sites and artifacts. In developing such standards and skills, the commission shall consult with representatives of the following agencies: the Division of Historical Resources of the Department of State, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Department of Environmental Protection. The commission shall develop the standards for training in any of the following: basic recruit courses, advanced and specialized courses, or other appropriate training courses as determined by the commission.

History.--s. 5, ch. 92-77; s. 480, ch. 94-356; s. 234, ch. 99-245.

943.1729  Skills training relating to community policing.--

(1)  DEFINITION.--As used in this section, "community policing" means a policing technique or strategy as defined in s. 163.340.

(2)  BASIC SKILLS COURSE.--The Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission may incorporate community policing concepts into the course curriculum required in order for law enforcement officers to obtain initial certification.

(3)  CONTINUING TRAINING.--The commission may establish a continued employment training component related to community policing techniques before January 1, 1999. Completion of the training component shall count toward the 40 hours of required instruction for continued employment or appointment as a law enforcement officer.

History.--s. 21, ch. 98-314.

943.17291  Basic skills training in juvenile sexual offender investigation.--The commission shall incorporate juvenile sexual offender investigation instruction into the course curriculum required for a law enforcement officer to obtain initial certification.

History.--s. 6, ch. 98-158.

943.17295  Continued employment training relating to juvenile sexual offender investigation.--The commission shall incorporate the subject of sexual abuse and assault investigation, with an emphasis on cases involving child victims or juvenile offenders, into the curriculum required for continuous employment or appointment as a law enforcement officer.

History.--s. 7, ch. 98-158.

943.173  Examinations; administration; materials not public records; disposal of materials.--

(1)  Each officer certification examination shall be administered by the Criminal Justice Professionalism Program pursuant to s. 943.1397.

(2)  Each advanced and career development course examination adopted by the commission shall be administered at a certified criminal justice training school under the supervision of the training center director.

(3)  All examinations, assessments, and instruments and the results of examinations, other than test scores on officer certification examinations, including developmental materials and workpapers directly related thereto, prepared, prescribed, or administered pursuant to ss. 943.13(9) or (10) and 943.17 are exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. Provisions governing access to, maintenance of, and destruction of relevant documents pursuant to this section shall be prescribed by rules adopted by the commission.

History.--s. 16, ch. 84-258; s. 2, ch. 86-286; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 6, ch. 93-252; s. 1, ch. 94-253; s. 8, ch. 95-408; s. 446, ch. 96-406; s. 19, ch. 98-94.

943.175  Inservice and specialized training.--

(1)  Inservice training programs, consisting of courses established, implemented, and evaluated by an employing agency, are the responsibility of the employing agency. Specialized training programs, consisting of courses established, implemented, and evaluated by a criminal justice training school, are the responsibility of the criminal justice training school. Inservice and specialized training programs or courses need not be approved by the commission.

(2)  The commission shall, by rule, establish procedures and criteria whereby an employing agency or criminal justice training school seeking commission approval of a specialized training program or course must submit the program or course to the commission for evaluation. The procedures and criteria shall include, but are not limited to, a demonstration of job relevance and quality of instruction.

(3)  Inservice or specialized training courses or programs shall not be part of the programs or courses established by the commission pursuant to s. 943.17, nor shall they be used to qualify an officer for salary incentive payment provided under s. 943.22.

History.--s. 17, ch. 84-258; s. 14, ch. 86-187; s. 2, ch. 86-286; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 8, ch. 97-225.

943.1755  Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute.--

(1)(a)  The Legislature finds that there exists a need to provide quality training for criminal justice executives in this state. In recognition of this need, the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute is hereby created, to be administered for the purpose of providing such training as is deemed necessary to prepare the state's present and future criminal justice executives to deal with the complex issues facing the state.

(b)  The Legislature further finds that there exists a need to improve relationships between law enforcement agencies and the diverse populations they serve. To this end the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute shall conduct research projects, utilizing the resources of community colleges and universities, for the purpose of improving law enforcement interaction and intervention in communities of diverse populations.

(2)  The institute is established within the Department of Law Enforcement and affiliated with the State University System. The Board of Regents shall, in cooperation with the Department of Law Enforcement, determine the specific placement of the institute within the system.

(3)  The institute shall cooperate with the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, and shall be guided and directed by a policy board composed of the following members:

(a)  The following persons shall serve on the policy board:

1.  The executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement.

2.  The Secretary of Corrections.

3.  The Commissioner of Education or an employee of the Department of Education designated by the Commissioner.

4.  The Secretary of Juvenile Justice.

(b)  The following persons shall be nominated by the entities referred to in this paragraph and shall become members of the board upon approval of the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. Members appointed under this paragraph shall serve 2-year terms:

1.  Three chiefs of municipal police departments nominated by the Florida Police Chiefs Association.

2.  Three sheriffs nominated by the Florida Sheriffs Association.

3.  A county jail administrator nominated by the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Association of Counties.

4.  A representative nominated by the State Law Enforcement Chiefs Association.

(4)  The policy board shall establish administrative procedures and operational guidelines necessary to ensure that criminal justice executive training needs are identified and met through the delivery of quality instruction.

(5)  Members of the policy board are entitled to reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses pursuant to s. 112.061 to the extent such expenses are associated with meetings or training activities, appropriate to the Department of Law Enforcement, and deemed necessary by the board.

(6)  Six members constitute a quorum of the board.

History.--s. 1, ch. 90-157; ss. 9, 13, ch. 91-74; s. 31, ch. 91-201; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 4, ch. 95-161; s. 9, ch. 97-225.

943.1757  Criminal justice executives; training; policy report.--

(1)  The Legislature finds that there exists a need to provide training to criminal justice executives in the subject of interpersonal skills relating to diverse populations, with an emphasis on the awareness of cultural differences.

(2)  The policy board of the Criminal Justice Executive Institute shall identify the needs of criminal justice executives regarding issues related to diverse populations, and ensure that such needs are met through appropriate training. Beginning January 1, 1995, and every 5 years thereafter, the policy board shall provide to the appropriate substantive committees of each house a report describing executive training needs. In addition, the policy board shall prepare a biennial report to the appropriate substantive committees of each house describing how these needs are being met through training by the Criminal Justice Executive Institute.

History.--ss. 9, 12, ch. 91-74; s. 54, ch. 95-196; s. 10, ch. 97-225.

943.1758  Curriculum revision for diverse populations; skills training.--

(1)  The Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission shall revise its standards and training for basic recruits and its requirements for continued employment by integrating instructions on interpersonal skills relating to diverse populations into the criminal justice standards and training curriculum. The curriculum shall include standardized proficiency instruction relating to high-risk and critical tasks which include, but are not limited to, stops, use of force and domination, and other areas of interaction between officers and members of diverse populations.

(2)  The commission shall develop and implement, as part of its instructor training programs, standardized instruction in the subject of interpersonal skills relating to diverse populations.

Culturally sensitive lesson plans, up-to-date videotapes, and other demonstrative aids developed for use in diverse population-related training shall be used as instructional materials.

History.--ss. 9, 14, ch. 91-74; s. 11, ch. 97-225.

943.18  Compensation and benefits study; recommendation.--The commission shall make a comprehensive study of the compensation and benefits paid to law enforcement officers and correctional officers throughout the state. Among the items to be researched shall be variation in salary scale, education and training of officers, retirement and pension programs, and any other factors on which compensation is based. The commission shall make recommendations to the Legislature for achieving uniformity in compensation for officers with equal or comparable responsibilities, experience, education, and training.

History.--s. 7, ch. 74-386; s. 4, ch. 78-323; s. 8, ch. 80-71; ss. 11, 24, 25, ch. 81-24; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 2, ch. 83-265; s. 24, ch. 84-254; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 5, ch. 91-429.

943.19  Saving clause.--

(1)  Any full-time, part-time, or auxiliary law enforcement or correctional officer duly certified by the commission and employed or appointed as of September 30, 1984, and any correctional probation officer employed or appointed as of September 30, 1986, and any correctional probation officer employed in an institution as of September 30, 1989, is not required to comply with s. 943.13(5) and (8) as a condition of continued employment or appointment with his or her current employing agency.

(2)  Nothing contained in this section or s. 943.13 shall prohibit the employment or appointment of an officer who was previously exempted from the provisions of s. 943.13(3) or (4).

(3)  Except as provided in subsection (2), an officer duly certified by the commission must comply with the provisions of s. 943.13 upon a subsequent employment or appointment.

(4)  The commission is authorized to issue an appropriate employment or appointment certificate to any correctional probation officer who is employed as a correctional probation officer on September 30, 1986.

History.--s. 7, ch. 74-386; s. 4, ch. 78-323; s. 8, ch. 80-71; ss. 12, 24, 25, ch. 81-24; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 2, ch. 83-265; s. 18, ch. 84-258; s. 9, ch. 85-224; s. 45, ch. 86-183; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 42, ch. 89-526; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 1636, ch. 97-102.

943.22  Salary incentive program for full-time officers.--

(1)  For the purpose of this section, the term:

(a)  "Accredited college, university, or community college" means a college, university, or community college which has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, another regional accrediting agency, or the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.

(b)  "Bachelor's degree" means graduation from an accredited college or university.

(c)  "Community college degree or equivalent" means graduation from an accredited community college or having been granted a degree pursuant to s. 240.239 or successful completion of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours and eligibility to receive an associate degree from an accredited college, university, or community college.

(2)(a)  A basic salary incentive shall be paid to any law enforcement officer who was entitled to such payment under this paragraph as it existed immediately prior to October 1, 1984.

(b)  Any full-time officer who has a community college degree or equivalent shall receive the sum of $30 per month in the manner provided for in paragraph (h).

(c)  Any full-time officer who receives a bachelor's degree shall receive an additional sum of $50 per month in the manner provided for in paragraph (h).

(d)  Any full-time officer who completes 480 hours of approved career development program training courses on or before June 30, 1985, shall receive the sum of $120 per month. Any full-time officer who is entitled to full or proportional career development salary incentive payments on or before June 30, 1985, shall continue to receive such payments. On or after July 1, 1985, any officer who completes a combination of 480 hours of approved advanced and career development training courses established pursuant to s. 943.17(1)(b) and (c) shall receive the sum of $120 per month. The commission, by rule, may provide for proportional shares for courses completed in 80-hour units in each program in a manner provided for in paragraph (h).

(e)  The maximum aggregate amount which any full-time officer may receive under this section is $130 per month. No education incentive payments shall be made for any state law enforcement or correctional position for which the class specification requires the minimum of a 4-year degree, or higher.

(f)  Nothing in this section may be construed to permit or require retroactive salary incentive payments.

(g)  No employing agency shall use, or consider as a factor, any salary incentive payment for the purpose of circumventing payment of any salary or compensation plan which provides normal pay increases periodically to its officers.

(h)  The commission shall establish rules as necessary to provide effectively for the proper administration of the salary incentive program, which shall include, but not be limited to:

1.  Proper documentation and verification of any claimed training or education requirement.

2.  Proper documentation and verification that the employing agency has provided in its salary structure and salary plans salary incentive payments for full-time officers as required in this section.

3.  Proper documentation and verification that training received for purposes of salary incentive payment is job-related.

(i)  Each employing agency shall annually submit reports to the commission containing information relative to compensation of full-time officers employed by it.

(j)  The employing agency shall be responsible for the correct salary incentive payment to full-time officers. The commission may, in a postaudit capacity, review any action taken and order the correction of any error committed by an employing agency.

(3)  If an officer holding concurrent certification is transferred or reassigned within the same employing agency from one discipline to another pursuant to s. 943.1395(2) and maintains full-time status in the new discipline, that officer shall continue to be eligible to receive salary incentive payments previously earned under the provisions of this section. However, no such officer shall receive aggregate salary incentive payments in excess of the maximum aggregate amount established in paragraph (2)(e).

(4)  No individual filling a position in the Senior Management Service as defined in s. 110.402 is eligible to participate in the salary incentive program authorized by this section.

(5)  An officer is not entitled to full or proportional salary incentive payments for training completed pursuant to s. 943.1395(7).

History.--s. 7, ch. 74-386; s. 1, ch. 77-436; s. 299, ch. 79-400; s. 11, ch. 80-71; s. 15, ch. 81-24; s. 6, ch. 83-259; s. 1, ch. 83-340; s. 19, ch. 84-258; s. 10, ch. 85-224; s. 15, ch. 86-187; s. 2, ch. 86-286; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 3, ch. 88-51; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 6, ch. 92-131.

943.25  Criminal justice trust funds; source of funds; use of funds.--

(1)  The Department of Community Affairs may approve, for disbursement from the Operating Trust Fund established pursuant to ¹s. 290.034, those appropriated sums necessary and required by the state for grant matching, implementing, administering, evaluating, and qualifying for such federal funds. Disbursements from the trust fund for the purpose of supplanting state general revenue funds may not be made without specific legislative appropriation.

(2)  There is created, within the Department of Law Enforcement, the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund for the purpose of providing for the payment of necessary and proper expenses incurred by the operation of the commission and the Criminal Justice Professionalism Program and providing commission-approved criminal justice advanced and specialized training and criminal justice training school enhancements and of establishing the provisions of s. 943.17 and developing the specific tests provided under s. 943.12(10). The program shall administer the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund and shall report the status of the fund at each regularly scheduled commission meeting.

(3)  The Auditor General is directed in her or his financial audit of courts to ascertain that such assessments have been collected and remitted and shall report to the Legislature annually. All such records of the courts shall be open for her or his inspection. The Auditor General is further directed to conduct financial audits of the expenditures of the trust funds and to report to the Legislature annually.

(4)  The commission shall, by rule, establish, implement, supervise, and evaluate the expenditures of the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund for approved advanced and specialized training program courses. Criminal justice training school enhancements may be authorized by the commission subject to the provisions of subsection (7). The commission may approve the training of appropriate support personnel when it can be demonstrated that these personnel directly support the criminal justice function.

(5)  The commission shall authorize the establishment of regional training councils to advise and assist the commission in developing and maintaining a plan assessing regional criminal justice training needs and to act as an extension of the commission in the planning, programming, and budgeting for expenditures of the moneys in the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund.

(a)  The commission shall annually forward to each regional training council a list of its specific recommended priority issues or items to be funded. Each regional training council shall consider the recommendations of the commission in relation to the needs of the region and either include the recommendations in the region's budget plan or satisfactorily justify their exclusion.

(b)  Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund moneys allocated to the regions shall be distributed to each region based upon a formula approved by the commission. The distribution shall be used by each region to implement the regional plan approved by the commission.

(c)  By rule, the commission may establish criteria and procedures for use by the program and regions to amend the approved plan when an emergency exists. The program shall, with the consent of the chair of the commission, initially grant, modify, or deny the requested amendment pending final approval by the commission. The commission's plan and amendments thereto must comply with the provisions of chapter 216.

(d)  A public criminal justice training school must be designated by the commission to receive and distribute the disbursements authorized under subsection (9).

(e)  Commission members, regional training council members, program staff personnel, and other authorized persons who are performing duties directly related to the trust fund may be reimbursed for reasonable per diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061.

(6)  No training, room, or board cost may be assessed against any officer or employing agency for any advanced and specialized training course funded from the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund. Such expenses shall be paid from the trust fund and are not reimbursable by the officer. Travel costs to and from the training site are the responsibility of the trainee or employing agency. Any compensation, including, but not limited to, salaries and benefits, paid to any person during the period of training shall be fixed and determined by the employing agency; and such compensation shall be paid directly to the person.

(a)  The commission shall develop a policy of reciprocal payment for training officers from regions other than the region providing the training.

(b)  An officer who is not employed or appointed by an employing agency of this state may attend a course funded by the trust fund, provided the officer is required to pay to the criminal justice training school all training costs incurred for her or his attendance.

(7)  No trust fund money may be expended for the planning or construction of any new school or expansion of any existing school without the specific prior approval of the Legislature, designating the location and the amount to be expended for the training school.

(8)  All funds deposited in the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund shall be made available to the department for implementation of training programs approved by the commission and the head of the department.

(9)  The Executive Office of the Governor may approve, for disbursement from funds appropriated to the Department of Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund, those sums necessary and required for the administration of the program and implementation of the training programs approved by the commission.

(10)  Up to $250,000 per annum from the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund may be used to develop, validate, update, and maintain test or assessment instruments relating to selection, employment, training, or evaluation of officers, instructors, or courses. Pursuant to s. 943.12(4), (5), and (8), the commission shall adopt those test or assessment instruments which are appropriate and job-related as minimum requirements.

(11)  The commission, with the approval of the head of the department, either by contract or agreement, may authorize any university or community college in the state, or any other organization, to provide training for or facilities for training officers in the area of crime reduction, crime control, inmate control, or professional development.

(12)  Except as provided by s. 938.15 and notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds collected and deposited pursuant to this section shall be expended unless specifically appropriated by the Legislature.

History.--s. 8, ch. 74-386; s. 1, ch. 77-119; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 3, ch. 78-291; s. 2, ch. 78-347; s. 9, ch. 78-420; s. 189, ch. 79-164; s. 144, ch. 79-190; s. 13, ch. 80-71; s. 17, ch. 81-24; s. 81, ch. 81-167; s. 85, ch. 83-55; s. 183, ch. 83-216; s. 8, ch. 83-259; s. 5, ch. 84-156; s. 10, ch. 84-241; s. 20, ch. 84-258; s. 11, ch. 85-224; s. 6, ch. 85-250; s. 11, ch. 86-154; s. 16, ch. 86-187; s. 2, ch. 86-286; ss. 3, 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 4, ch. 88-51; s. 1, ch. 90-27; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 42, ch. 93-120; s. 17, ch. 93-252; s. 11, ch. 94-265; ss. 9, 10, ch. 95-408; s. 1637, ch. 97-102; ss. 3, 14, 41, ch. 97-271; s. 20, ch. 98-94.

¹Note.--Repealed by s. 14, ch. 99-4.

943.253  Exemption; elected officers.--Elected officers are exempt from the requirements of ss. 943.085-943.25. However, an elected officer may participate in the programs and benefits under ss. 943.085-943.25 if he or she complies with s. 943.13(1)-(7).

History.--s. 21, ch. 84-258; s. 1638, ch. 97-102.

943.255  Effect of chs. 80-71 and 81-24 on prior rules and administrative proceedings.--Neither chapter 80-71, Laws of Florida, nor chapter 81-24, Laws of Florida, shall be construed to invalidate any prior rule promulgated by the Police Standards and Training Commission or the Correctional Standards Council or the department. Such rules as presently exist shall stay in effect until repealed or amended pursuant to this act.

History.--s. 14, ch. 80-71; s. 18, ch. 81-24; s. 23, ch. 84-258.

943.256  Criminal justice selection centers; creation.--

(1)  The creation of criminal justice selection centers is authorized. Each center shall be under the direction and control of a postsecondary public school, hereinafter called the "directing school," or of a criminal justice agency, hereinafter called the "directing agency," within the region.

(2)  Each center shall provide standardized evaluation of preservice candidates for all units of the local criminal justice system in the region, thereby establishing a pool of qualified candidates for criminal justice agencies throughout the region.

(3)  Each center shall also provide standardized evaluation of inservice officers for all units of the local criminal justice system in the region, thereby establishing a pool of qualified officers for criminal justice agencies throughout each region.

History.--s. 1, ch. 91-205; s. 13, ch. 98-251.

943.2561  Definitions.--As used in this act:

(1)  "Region" means a geographic area which is no less than one county.

(2)  "Participating agency" means any public county or municipal law enforcement or corrections agency that elects to utilize the center in its region.

History.--s. 2, ch. 91-205.

943.2562  Advisory boards.--Each center's policies shall be established by an advisory board comprised of not more than 11 members, the composition of which shall be determined by the participating agencies.

History.--s. 3, ch. 91-205.

943.2563  Advisory board organization; center oversight.--

(1)  Each advisory board shall elect a chair from among its members. Other offices may be created as each board finds necessary or appropriate, and any such offices shall be filled by election from the membership of the board.

(2)  Each advisory board shall meet at least once during each calendar quarter, at such other times as the board may determine, and at any time upon the call of the chair. Each board shall recommend the adoption of rules for the transaction of its business. Based upon such recommendation, the center shall adopt procedural and substantive rules for its operation.

(3)  A quorum of each advisory board shall consist of a simple majority, and no official action of the board other than declaring a recess or rescheduling a meeting may be taken unless a quorum is present. A majority vote of the members present and voting is necessary for an advisory board to act on any matter.

(4)  Each center shall submit to its advisory board for approval the following:

(a)  Criteria for testing, examination, and background investigation for criminal justice personnel.

(b)  The amounts of any applicant fees charged.

(c)  The amounts of any user fees charged.

(d)  The annual budget for the center, including any fixed capital expenditures.

(e)  The number, types, and salaries of employees employed by the center.

(f)  Any other criteria or requirements for proper administration of the center.

History.--s. 4, ch. 91-205; s. 1639, ch. 97-102.

943.2564  Center supervision; role of directing school or directing agency.--Each center shall operate in the facility of, and under the day-to-day supervision of, a directing school or directing agency. The advisory board shall provide input into the selection and hiring of all employees of the center, but the employees shall be selected and employed by the center's directing school or directing agency and shall have all of the rights and privileges of other similar employees of the directing school or directing agency. All budgeting and accounting for the operations of the center shall be accomplished in accordance with the standards and procedures otherwise established for programs by the directing school or directing agency.

History.--s. 5, ch. 91-205.

943.2565  Centralized information centers on prospective employment candidates.--

(1)  Each center shall develop, establish, and maintain a centralized information center on prospective candidates for criminal justice positions in the region served. Each center shall provide and undertake standardized screening, testing, examination, and background investigation of applicants.

(2)  Upon the request of any participating criminal justice agency in the region served, the center shall provide a list of qualified applicants for employment and report all information gathered during the testing, screening, and investigation of each applicant.

(3)  Each center may make recommendations concerning uniform standards for the recruitment and testing of criminal justice personnel.

(4)  Each center shall comply with local, state, and federal regulations for the hiring and promotion of minorities and women.

(5)  Each center may enter into contracts and agreements to carry out its purposes. Any such contracts require approval by the advisory board and the directing school or directing agency.

(6)  Those centers operating under a directing school shall not generate full-time equivalent students for the directing school as a part of the directing school's enrollment. Classes which are part of the regular program of the college to train law enforcement and correctional officers are not affected by this prohibition.

History.--s. 6, ch. 91-205.

943.2566  Promotions; feasibility study to establish pool of evaluators to assess qualifications.--Upon the request of any participating criminal justice agency in its region, the center shall engage in a feasibility study to establish a qualified pool of evaluators to assess qualifications of inservice officers for purposes of determining promotions.

History.--s. 7, ch. 91-205.

943.2567  Operation and administration accounts; annual budget.--

(1)  Each directing agency or school is authorized to create an account in the name of its regional assessment center within the restricted current fund at the directing school or directing agency, which account within the restricted current fund must be used exclusively for the operation and administration of the center in the county's region. Moneys deposited into the account within the restricted current fund shall consist of the following:

(a)  Applicant fees and user fees, as established by the center's advisory board for use of the services of the center by prospective employees and participating criminal justice agencies in each region.

(b)  Such donations and grants as the center may receive.

No funds may be transferred from the general current fund, the auxiliary fund, or any other restricted current fund for the operation of any center.

(2)  Each directing school or directing agency shall prepare an annual budget for the operation and administration of its center. The budget for any fiscal year shall be submitted to the advisory board of the center for its consideration and approval no later than 60 days prior to the end of the previous fiscal year. The total expenditures for any fiscal year may not exceed the funds available from the account within the restricted current fund described in subsection (1), and no program for the center may be approved by the advisory board unless all funds for the program are available from the account within the restricted current fund.

History.--s. 8, ch. 91-205.

943.2568  Advisory boards; expense reimbursement.--Members of advisory boards shall not receive compensation for their services but shall receive reimbursement for expenses as provided in s. 112.061.

History.--s. 9, ch. 91-205.

943.2569  Annual audits of each center.--Each center shall contract with an independent certified public accountant to conduct annual audits of the center. Each audit must comply with the rules of the Auditor General for fiscal audits.

History.--s. 10, ch. 91-205.

943.257  Independent audit documentation subject to inspection.--The Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission may inspect and copy the documentation of independent audits conducted of the centers to ensure that candidate and inservice officer assessments have been made and that expenditures are in conformance with the requirements of this act and with other applicable procedures.

History.--s. 11, ch. 91-205.

943.31  Legislative intent.--It is the intent of the Legislature to:

(1)  Provide a statewide criminal analysis laboratory system to meet the needs of the criminal justice agencies.

(2)  Provide state-operated laboratories in certain regions of the state where a distinct need for a significant level of laboratory services has been established.

(3)  Provide financial assistance to certain other crime laboratories presently in existence and adequately serving the needs of specific portions of the state.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-362; s. 1, ch. 88-324.

943.32  Statewide criminal analysis laboratory system.--There is established a statewide criminal analysis laboratory system to be composed of:

(1)  The state-operated laboratories under the jurisdiction of the Department of Law Enforcement in Ft. Myers, Jacksonville, Pensacola, Orlando, Tallahassee, Tampa, and such other areas of the state as may be necessary;

(2)  The existing locally funded laboratories in Broward, Dade, Indian River, Monroe, Palm Beach, and Pinellas Counties, specifically designated in s. 943.35 to be eligible for state matching funds; and

(3)  Such other laboratories as render criminal analysis laboratory services to criminal justice agencies in the state.

History.--s. 2, ch. 74-362; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 2, ch. 78-347; s. 1, ch. 84-22; s. 1, ch. 87-159; s. 2, ch. 88-324.

943.325  Blood specimen testing for DNA analysis.--

(1)(a)  Any person convicted, or who was previously convicted and is still incarcerated, in this state for any offense or attempted offense defined in chapter 794, chapter 800, s. 782.04, s. 784.045, s. 812.133, or s. 812.135, and who is within the confines of the legal state boundaries, shall be required to submit two specimens of blood to a Department of Law Enforcement designated testing facility as directed by the department.

(b)  For the purpose of this section, the term "any person" shall include both juveniles and adults committed to or under the supervision of the Department of Corrections or the Department of Juvenile Justice or ¹committed to a county jail.

(2)  The withdrawal of blood for purposes of this section shall be performed in a medically approved manner and only under the supervision of a physician, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or duly licensed medical personnel.

²(3)  Upon a conviction of any person for any offense under paragraph (1)(a) which results in the commitment of the offender to a county jail, correctional facility, or juvenile facility, the entity responsible for the facility shall assure that the blood specimens required by this section are promptly secured and transmitted to the Department of Law Enforcement. If the person is not incarcerated following such conviction, the person may not be released from the custody of the court or released pursuant to a bond or surety until the blood specimens required by this section have been taken. The chief judge of each circuit shall, in conjunction with the sheriff or other entity that maintains the county jail, assure implementation of a method to promptly collect required blood specimens and forward the specimens to the Department of Law Enforcement. The Department of Law Enforcement, in conjunction with the sheriff, the courts, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Juvenile Justice, shall develop a statewide protocol for securing the blood specimens of any person required to provide specimens under this section. Personnel at the jail, correctional facility, or juvenile facility shall implement the protocol as part of the regular processing of offenders.

²(4)  If any blood specimens submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement under this section are found to be unacceptable for analysis and use or cannot be used by the department in the manner required by this section, the Department of Law Enforcement may require that another set of blood specimens be taken as set forth in subsection (11).

(5)  The Department of Law Enforcement shall provide the specimen vials, mailing tubes, labels, and instructions for the collection of blood specimens. The specimens shall thereafter be forwarded to the designated testing facility for analysis to determine genetic markers and characteristics for the purpose of individual identification of the person submitting the sample.

(6)  The analysis, when completed, shall be entered into the automated database maintained by the Department of Law Enforcement for such purpose, and shall not be included in the state central criminal justice information repository.

(7)  The results of a DNA analysis and the comparison of analytic results shall be released only to criminal justice agencies as defined in s. 943.045(10), at the request of the agency. Otherwise, such information is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.

(8)  The Department of Law Enforcement and the statewide criminal laboratory analysis system shall establish, implement, and maintain a statewide automated personal identification system capable of, but not limited to, classifying, matching, and storing analyses of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and other biological molecules. The system shall be available to all criminal justice agencies.

(9)  The Department of Law Enforcement shall:

(a)  Receive, process, and store blood samples and the data derived therefrom furnished pursuant to subsection (1) or pursuant to a requirement of supervision imposed by the court or the Parole Commission with respect to a person convicted of any offense specified in subsection (1).

(b)  Collect, process, maintain, and disseminate information and records pursuant to this section.

(c)  Strive to maintain or disseminate only accurate and complete records.

(d)  Adopt rules prescribing the proper procedure for state and local law enforcement and correctional agencies to collect and submit blood samples pursuant to this section.

(10)(a)  The court shall include in the judgment of conviction for an offense specified in this section, or a finding that a person described in subsection (1) violated a condition of probation, community control, or any other court-ordered supervision, an order stating that blood specimens are required to be drawn by the appropriate agency in a manner consistent with this section and, unless the convicted person lacks the ability to pay, the person shall reimburse the appropriate agency for the cost of drawing and transmitting the blood specimens to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The reimbursement payment may be deducted from any existing balance in the inmates's bank account. If the account balance is insufficient to cover the cost of drawing and transmitting the blood specimens to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 50 percent of each deposit to the account must be withheld until the total amount owed has been paid. If the judgment places the convicted person on probation, community control, or any other court-ordered supervision, the court shall order the convicted person to submit to the drawing of the blood specimens as a condition of the probation, community control, or other court-ordered supervision. For the purposes of a person who is on probation, community control, or any other court-ordered supervision, the collection requirement must be based upon a court order. If the judgment sentences the convicted person to time served, the court shall order the convicted person to submit to the drawing of the blood specimens as a condition of such sentence.

(b)  The appropriate agency shall cause the specimens to be drawn as soon as practical after conviction but, in the case of any person ordered to serve a term of incarceration as part of the sentence, the specimen shall be drawn as soon as practical after the receipt of the convicted person by the custodial facility. For the purpose of this section, the appropriate agency shall be the Department of Corrections whenever the convicted person is committed to the legal and physical custody of the department. Conviction information contained in the offender information system of the Department of Corrections shall be sufficient to determine applicability under this section. The appropriate agency shall be the sheriff or officer in charge of the county correctional facility whenever the convicted person is placed on probation, community control, or any other court-ordered supervision or form of supervised release or is committed to the legal and physical custody of a county correctional facility.

(c)  Any person previously convicted of an offense specified in this section, or a crime which, if committed in this state, would be an offense specified in this section, and who is also subject to the registration requirement imposed by s. 775.13, shall be subject to the collection requirement of this section when the appropriate agency described in this section verifies the identification information of the person. The collection requirement of this section does not apply to a person as described in s. 775.13(6).

(d)  For the purposes of this section, conviction shall include a finding of guilty, or entry of a plea of nolo contendere or guilty, regardless of adjudication or, in the case of a juvenile, the finding of delinquency.

²(e)  If necessary, the state or local law enforcement or correctional agency having authority over the person subject to the sampling under this section shall assist in the procedure. The law enforcement or correctional officer so assisting may use reasonable force if necessary to require such person to submit to the withdrawal of blood. The withdrawal shall be performed in a reasonable manner. A hospital, clinical laboratory, medical clinic, or similar medical institution; a physician, certified paramedic, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or other personnel authorized by a hospital to draw blood; a licensed clinical laboratory director, supervisor, technologist, or technician; or any other person who assists a law enforcement officer is not civilly or criminally liable as a result of withdrawing blood specimens according to accepted medical standards when requested to do so by a law enforcement officer or any personnel of a jail, correctional facility, or juvenile detention facility, regardless of whether the convicted person resisted the drawing of blood specimens.

²(11)  If the Department of Law Enforcement determines that a convicted person who is required to submit blood specimens under this section has not provided the specimens, the department, a state attorney, or any law enforcement agency may apply to the circuit court for an order that authorizes taking the convicted person into custody for the purpose of securing the required specimens. The court shall issue the order upon a showing of probable cause. Following issuance of the order, the convicted person shall be transported to a location acceptable to the agency that has custody of the person, the blood specimens shall be withdrawn in a reasonable manner, and the person shall be released if there is no other reason to justify retaining the person in custody. The agency that takes the convicted person into custody may, but is not required to, transport the person back to the location where the person was taken into custody.

(12)  Unless the ³convicted person has been declared indigent by the court, the ³convicted person shall pay the actual costs of collecting the blood specimens required under this section.

²(13)  If a court, a law enforcement agency, or the Department of Law Enforcement fails to strictly comply with this section or to abide by a statewide protocol for collecting blood specimens, such failure is not grounds for challenging the validity of the collection or the use of a specimen, and evidence based upon or derived from the collected blood specimens may not be excluded by a court.

History.--s. 1, ch. 89-335; s. 9, ch. 93-204; s. 3, ch. 94-90; s. 52, ch. 95-283; s. 19, ch. 96-322; s. 447, ch. 96-406; s. 8, ch. 98-81; s. 14, ch. 98-251; s. 7, ch. 98-417.

¹Note.--As amended by s. 8, ch. 98-81. Amendment by s. 14, ch. 98-251, does not include the term "committed to."

²Note.--As enacted by s. 8, ch. 98-81. Section 14, ch. 98-251, enacted substantially similar language in subsections (3) and (4), paragraph (e) of subsection (10), and subsections (11) and (13), and those versions read:

(3)  Upon conviction of any person for any offense under paragraph (1)(a), resulting in the commitment of the offender to a county jail, correctional facility, or juvenile facility, the entity responsible for the facility shall ensure that a blood specimen as required by this section is promptly secured and transmitted to the Department of Law Enforcement. Should the disposition be any option other than commitment to incarceration in a county jail, correctional facility, or juvenile facility, the person shall not be released from the custody of the court or, when a bond or surety has been posted, shall not have the person's bond or surety released until such time as the blood specimen required by this section has been taken. The chief administrative judge of each circuit shall, in conjunction with the sheriff of each county or other entity maintaining the county jail, ensure that a method of prompt collection of the required blood specimen and forwarding to the Department of Law Enforcement is implemented. The Department of Law Enforcement, in conjunction with the sheriffs, courts, Department of Corrections, and Department of Juvenile Justice shall develop a statewide protocol for the securing of blood specimens for any person required to provide the specimen under this section who will not be incarcerated in such a manner as to allow the drawing of the specimen by jail personnel, correctional personnel, or juvenile justice personnel as part of the regular in-processing of offenders.

(4)  Any person convicted of an offense under this section for which the submission of blood specimens is required shall, upon request, submit to the drawing of the person's blood. If the blood specimens submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement are found not to be acceptable for analysis and use under this section, or for any other reason cannot be used by the department in the manner required by this section, the department may require that another set of blood specimens be taken as provided in subsection (11).

(e)  If necessary, the state or local law enforcement or correctional agency having authority over the person subject to the sampling under this section shall assist in the procedure. The law enforcement or correctional officer so assisting may use reasonable force if necessary to require such person to submit to the withdrawal of blood. The withdrawal shall be performed in a reasonable manner. No hospital, clinical laboratory, medical clinic, or similar medical institution or physician, certified paramedic, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or other personnel authorized by a hospital to draw blood, or duly licensed clinical laboratory director, supervisor, technologist, or technician, or other person assisting a law enforcement officer shall incur any civil or criminal liability as a result of the withdrawal of blood specimens pursuant to accepted medical standards when requested by a law enforcement officer, or any jail, correctional, or juvenile justice detention personnel to draw blood for the purposes of this section, regardless of whether or not the subject resisted the blood drawing.

(11)  Upon a determination by the Department of Law Enforcement that a person convicted of an offense for which blood specimens are to be provided under this section has not provided the required specimens, the department, any state attorney, or any law enforcement agency may apply to the circuit court for an order authorizing the taking of the person into custody for the purposes of securing the required specimen. The court, upon a showing of probable cause that the person is required to provide a specimen and has not provided the specimen, shall issue the order. Any person taken into custody under an order authorized by this subsection shall be promptly transported to a location acceptable to the agency having custody of the person where blood specimens may be drawn, and the blood specimens shall be withdrawn in a reasonable manner. Upon securing the specimens, if there is no other reason justifying retaining the person in custody, the person shall be released. The agency taking any such person into custody under the authority of this section may, but is not required to, transport the person back to the location where the person was taken into custody.

(13)  The failure of any court or agency or the department to strictly comply with this section or to abide by a protocol shall not constitute a ground for challenging the validity of the collection or use of the sample as provided in this section or for exclusion of evidence based upon, or derived from, any specimen so taken.

³Note.--As amended by s. 8, ch. 98-81. Amendment by s. 14, ch. 98-251, uses the term "offender."

943.33  State-operated criminal analysis laboratories.--The state-operated laboratories shall furnish laboratory service upon request to law enforcement officials in the state. The services of such laboratories shall also be available to any defendant in a criminal case upon showing of good cause and upon order of the court with jurisdiction in the case. When such service is to be made available to the defendant, the order shall be issued only after motion by the defendant and hearing held after notice with a copy of the motion being served upon the prosecutor and the state-operated laboratory from which the service is being sought. For purposes of this section, "good cause" means a finding by the court that the laboratory service being sought by the defendant is anticipated to produce evidence that is relevant and material to the defense, that the service sought is one which is reasonably within the capacity of the state-operated laboratory and will not be unduly burdensome upon the laboratory, and that the service cannot be obtained from any qualified private or nonstate operated laboratory within the state or otherwise reasonably available to the defense. The court shall assess the costs of such service ordered by the court to the defendant or local public defender's office. The laboratory providing the service ordered shall include with the report of the analysis, comparison, or identification a statement of the costs of the service provided and shall provide a copy of all reports and analysis performed and cost statement being provided to the prosecutor in the case and the court.

History.--s. 4, ch. 74-362; s. 16, ch. 98-251.

943.34  Powers and duties of department in relation to state-operated laboratories.--The department shall exercise full operational control of the state-operated laboratories and shall exercise, among others, the power and duty to:

(1)  Establish the organizational structure of such laboratories to include the designation of the geographical regions which the laboratories shall serve.

(2)  Establish policy and procedures to be employed by the laboratories.

(3)  Promote coordination, cooperation, and standardization between the various state-operated laboratories.

(4)  Promote cooperation between the state-operated laboratories and other criminal analysis laboratories in the state in order to achieve a coordinated statewide system of criminal analysis laboratory services to serve all geographic areas of the state.

(5)  Establish standards of education and experience for professional and technical personnel employed by the state-operated laboratories.

(6)  Adopt internal procedures for the review and evaluation of state-operated laboratory services.

History.--s. 5, ch. 74-362.

943.35  Funding for existing laboratories.--

(1)  The following existing criminal analysis laboratories are eligible for receipt of state funding:

(a)  The Broward County Sheriff's Crime Laboratory;

(b)  The Metro-Dade Police Department Crime Laboratory;

(c)  The Indian River Crime Laboratory;

(d)  The Palm Beach County Crime Laboratory; and

(e)  The Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory.

(2)  The state shall provide funding not to exceed 75 percent of the actual operating cost of such laboratories previously enumerated. The state shall base the funding only on that portion of the current year's actual operating budget, as approved by the county commission or public unit authorized to grant fiscal appropriations, which is from local contributions. The funds provided by the state to each laboratory shall be applied toward the current year's actual operating budget to arrive at an authorized percentage of state funding for the fiscal year. At the close of the fiscal year the state funding shall be compared to the actual laboratory expenditures. Any state funds provided in excess of the authorized percentage shall be returned to the state. The following functions are not to be considered laboratory operations for the purpose of appropriating state funds:

(a)  Identification photography;

(b)  Identification of fingerprints, other than latent;

(c)  Polygraph;

(d)  Electronic surveillance; and

(e)  Medical examiners.

History.--s. 6, ch. 74-362; s. 2, ch. 84-22; s. 2, ch. 87-159; s. 3, ch. 88-324; s. 21, ch. 98-94.

943.355  Florida Crime Laboratory Council.--There is created a Florida Crime Laboratory Council within the department.

(1)  The council shall be composed of 10 members, consisting of the agency heads of the existing laboratories specified in s. 943.35(1)(a)-(f), the president of the state attorney's association, the Attorney General or his or her designee, and two members to be appointed by the Governor consisting of a medical examiner and a circuit judge of the criminal court.

(2)  The members appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for terms of 4 years. The other members shall be standing members of the council. However, no member shall serve beyond the time he or she ceases to hold the office or employment by reason of which the member was eligible for appointment to the council. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring because of death, resignation, or ineligibility for membership shall serve only for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor or until a successor is appointed and qualifies. Any member who, without cause fails to attend two consecutive meetings may be removed by the appointing authority.

(3)  The council shall annually elect its chair and other officers. The council shall meet semiannually or at the call of its chair, at the request of a majority of its membership, at the request of the department, or at such times as may be prescribed by department rules as recommended by the council. A majority of the members of the council constitutes a quorum.

(4)  Membership on the council shall not disqualify a member from holding any other public office or being employed by a public entity, except that no member of the Legislature shall serve on the council. The Legislature finds that the council serves a state, county, and municipal purpose and that service on the council is consistent with a member's principal service in a public office or employment.

(5)  Members of the council shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as provided by s. 112.061.

History.--ss. 4, 7, ch. 88-324; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 1640, ch. 97-102.

943.356  Duties of council.--The council shall provide advice and make recommendations, as necessary, to the executive director of the department to ensure proper fiscal accountability of state funding and the effective operation of the crime laboratories and to promote coordination and cooperation between the members of the statewide criminal analysis laboratory system in order to achieve a coordinated statewide system. Specific areas of advisory responsibility include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1)  Establishment of the fiscal and auditing process for budget requests and state funding distribution.

(2)  Development of guidelines and standards for inclusion of additional laboratories into the system.

(3)  Evaluation of forensic science training and development programs.

(4)  Consideration of laboratory safety and health issues.

(5)  Assessment of the crime laboratory service needs of criminal justice agencies and the effectiveness of existing services.

(6)  Distribution of workload and crime laboratory resources to meet exceptional situations.

(7)  Collaboration with an advisory committee of leaders of the statewide criminal analysis laboratory system in technical and operational matters of mutual concern.

(8)  Offering recommendations on laws, policies, and procedures to improve the operations of member laboratories of the statewide system.

(9)  Promotion of coordination, cooperation, and standardization between the various state and locally operated laboratories.

(10)  Recommendation of standards of education and experience for professional and technical personnel employed by the state and locally operated laboratories.

History.--ss. 5, 7, ch. 88-324; s. 5, ch. 91-429.

943.36  Submission of annual budget.--

(1)  For the purpose of providing state funding, each laboratory designated in s. 943.35 shall submit to the Department of Law Enforcement, on or before October 15 of each year, a written report containing the following:

(a)  The actual operating costs of the immediate prior fiscal year.

(b)  The operating budget approved by the county commission for the fiscal year in progress.

(c)  Workload data, including, but not limited to, the volume of casework received and completed by type and sources of workload by law enforcement agency.

(2)  Prior year actual and current operating cost data shall include an itemization of the eligible expenditures required for the laboratory submitting it. The report shall indicate the portion of operating expenses funded by local or federal funds and specify the amount of the local appropriation to be used as the basis for computing the state's maximum 75 percent funding contribution.

(3)  The form of such reports shall be prescribed by the Department of Law Enforcement based on recommendations of the Florida Crime Laboratory Council.

(4)  The department, in collaboration with the Florida Crime Laboratory Council, shall provide for an annual audit process of the actual operating expenditures to verify their accuracy and compliance with excluded functions and provisions specified in s. 943.35(2) and to ensure that local laboratories are serving the needs of criminal justice agencies within their jurisdiction.

(5)  Laboratories which are partially funded by the state shall continue to be locally operated but shall provide services when possible to any law enforcement official upon request.

History.--s. 7, ch. 74-362; s. 145, ch. 79-190; s. 6, ch. 88-324.

943.361  Statewide criminal analysis laboratory system; funding through fine surcharges.--

(1)  Funds deposited pursuant to ss. 938.07 and 938.25 for the statewide criminal analysis laboratory system shall be used for state reimbursements to local county-operated crime laboratories enumerated in s. 943.35(1), and for the equipment, health, safety, and training of member crime laboratories of the statewide criminal analysis laboratory system.

(2)  Moneys deposited pursuant to ss. 938.07 and 938.25 for the statewide criminal analysis laboratory system shall be appropriated by the Legislature in accordance with the provisions of chapter 216 and with the purposes stated in subsection (1).

History.--s. 9, ch. 88-324; s. 62, ch. 88-381; s. 5, ch. 90-111; s. 6, ch. 94-107; s. 42, ch. 97-271.

943.362  Forfeiture and Investigative Support Trust Fund.--

(1)  There is created the Forfeiture and Investigative Support Trust Fund into which the department may deposit revenues received as a result of state or federal criminal proceedings, other than revenues deposited into the department's Federal Law Enforcement Trust Fund under s. 943.365.

(2)  Moneys in the fund shall be appropriated by the Legislature, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 216, for purposes deemed appropriate by the Legislature. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds shall be expended from the Forfeiture and Investigative Support Trust Fund unless specifically appropriated by the Legislature.

History.--s. 2, ch. 82-239; s. 12, ch. 85-224; s. 3, ch. 98-387.

943.365  Federal Law Enforcement Trust Fund.--

(1)  The Federal Law Enforcement Trust Fund is created within the Department of Law Enforcement. The department may deposit into the trust fund receipts and revenues received as a result of federal criminal, administrative, or civil forfeiture proceedings and receipts and revenues received from federal asset-sharing programs. The trust fund is exempt from the service charges imposed by s. 215.20.

(2)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year shall remain in the trust fund at the end of the year and shall be available for carrying out the purposes of the trust fund.

(3)  Pursuant to the provisions of s. 19(f)(2), Art. III of the State Constitution, the trust fund shall, unless terminated sooner, be terminated on July 1, 2002. Prior to its scheduled termination, the trust fund shall be reviewed as provided in s. 215.3206(1) and (2).

History.--s. 1, ch. 98-387.

943.37  Option to become state-operated laboratory; operational control.--

(1)  Those laboratories specified in s. 943.35 may submit to the Department of Law Enforcement a request to become state-operated laboratories. Such request shall include an offer to convey to the state the laboratory facility, including the physical plant, fixtures, equipment, and property on which such facility is located.

(2)  The Department of Law Enforcement shall evaluate the request and make a determination based on the crime laboratory needs of the state. If the department concurs with the request, a plan for the transfer of the laboratory shall be jointly developed between representatives of the department and the chief of such laboratory or his or her designated representative. Such transfer plan shall include:

(a)  A provision to allow any employee of such laboratory to maintain his or her position, or a position with comparable duties, with no decrease in pay for a reasonable transition period.

(b)  A provision specifying the duration of the transition period.

(c)  A provision to ensure that there shall be no reduction in the level of services provided by the laboratory during the transition period. Implementation of the transfer plan is conditioned upon the approval of the Governor through inclusion of the expenses entailed in such transfer in his or her budget recommendations to the Legislature and the Legislature approving such recommendation.

(3)  At such time as the state assumes the full financial responsibility for the operation of the laboratory, the Department of Law Enforcement will assume operational control, subject to the provisions of the transfer plan. The laboratory facility, including the physical plant, fixtures, equipment, and property on which such facility is located, shall be conveyed to the state upon assumption of full financial responsibility by the state.

History.--ss. 8, 9, ch. 74-362; s. 2, ch. 78-347; s. 1641, ch. 97-102.

943.401  Public assistance fraud.--

(1)(a)  The Department of Law Enforcement shall investigate public assistance made under the provisions of chapter 409 or chapter 414. In the course of such investigation the Department of Law Enforcement shall examine all records, including electronic benefits transfer records and make inquiry of all persons who may have knowledge as to any irregularity incidental to the disbursement of public moneys, food stamps, or other items or benefits authorizations to recipients.

(b)  All public assistance recipients, as a condition precedent to qualification for assistance under the provisions of chapter 409 or chapter 414, shall first give in writing, to the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Department of Health, and the Department of Children and Family Services, as appropriate, and to the Department of Law Enforcement, consent to make inquiry of past or present employers and records, financial or otherwise.

(2)  In the conduct of such investigation the Department of Law Enforcement may employ persons having such qualifications as are useful in the performance of this duty.

(3)  The results of such investigation shall be reported by the Department of Law Enforcement to the appropriate legislative committees, the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Department of Health, and the Department of Children and Family Services, and to such others as the Department of Law Enforcement may determine.

(4)  The Department of Health and the Department of Children and Family Services shall report to the Department of Law Enforcement the final disposition of all cases wherein action has been taken pursuant to s. 414.39, based upon information furnished by the Department of Law Enforcement.

(5)  All lawful fees and expenses of officers and witnesses, expenses incident to taking testimony and transcripts of testimony and proceedings are a proper charge to the Department of Law Enforcement.

(6)  The provisions of this section shall be liberally construed in order to carry out effectively the purposes of this section in the interest of protecting public moneys and other public property.

History.--s. 1, ch. 72-387; s. 1, ch. 77-147; s. 3, ch. 92-125; s. 23, ch. 95-147; s. 49, ch. 96-175; s. 1, ch. 99-8; s. 5, ch. 99-333.

Note.--Former s. 11.50.