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2024 Florida Statutes
Chapter 943
DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
CHAPTER 943
DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
943.01 Short title.
943.02 Definitions.
943.03 Department of Law Enforcement.
943.031 Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council.
943.03101 Counter-terrorism and immigration enforcement coordination.
943.0311 Chief of Domestic Security; duties of the department with respect to domestic security.
943.0312 Regional domestic security task forces.
943.0313 Domestic Security Oversight Council.
943.0314 Public records and public meetings exemptions; Domestic Security Oversight Council.
943.032 Financial Crime Analysis Center and Financial Transaction Database.
943.0321 The Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Center and the Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Database.
943.04 Criminal Justice Investigations and Forensic Science Program; creation; investigative, forensic, and related authority.
943.041 Crimes Against Children Criminal Profiling Program.
943.0411 Online Sting Operations Grant Program for local law enforcement agencies to protect children.
943.0412 Identity Theft and Fraud Grant Program.
943.0415 Cybercrime Office.
943.042 Violent Crime Investigative Emergency and Drug Control Strategy Implementation Account.
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.
943.04351 Search of registration information regarding sexual predators and sexual offenders required before appointment or employment.
943.04352 Search of registration information regarding sexual predators and sexual offenders required when placement on misdemeanor probation.
943.04353 Triennial study of sexual predator and sexual offender registration and notification procedures.
943.04354 Removal of the requirement to register as a sexual offender or sexual predator in special circumstances.
943.0436 Duty of the court to uphold laws governing sexual predators and sexual offenders.
943.0437 Commercial social networking websites.
943.0438 Athletic coaches for independent sanctioning authorities.
943.0439 Interviews of victims, suspects, or defendants with autism or an autism spectrum disorder.
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 Criminal history records; access, review, and challenge.
943.057 Access to criminal justice information for research or statistical purposes.
943.0575 Public access to records.
943.0578 Lawful self-defense expunction.
943.0581 Administrative expunction for arrests made contrary to law or by mistake.
943.0582 Diversion program expunction.
943.0583 Human trafficking victim expunction.
943.0584 Criminal history records ineligible for court-ordered expunction or court-ordered sealing.
943.0585 Court-ordered expunction of criminal history records.
943.059 Court-ordered sealing of criminal history records.
943.0595 Automatic sealing of criminal history records; confidentiality of related court 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.
943.082 School Safety Awareness Program.
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 Accreditation of state and local law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, public agency offices of inspectors general, and certain pretrial diversion programs; intent.
943.13 Officers’ minimum qualifications for employment or appointment.
943.131 Temporary employment or appointment; minimum basic recruit training exemptions.
943.132 Implementation of federal qualified active or qualified retired law enforcement concealed firearms provisions.
943.133 Responsibilities of employing agency, commission, and program with respect to compliance with employment qualifications and the conduct of background investigations; injunctive relief.
943.134 Release of employee information by employers.
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 Commission-certified 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; reimbursement of tuition, other course expenses, wages, and benefits.
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.
943.1717 Use of dart-firing stun guns.
943.1718 Body cameras; policies and procedures.
943.1719 Basic skills training relating to the use of electronic databases.
943.17191 Continued employment training relating to the use of electronic databases.
943.172 Basic skills training in victims assistance and rights.
943.1724 Sexual assault investigation training.
943.1725 Basic skills training on human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
943.1726 Continued employment training relating to diabetic emergencies.
943.17261 Department of Law Enforcement; training related to medical use of marijuana.
943.1727 Continued employment training relating to autism spectrum disorder.
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.
943.17296 Training in identifying and investigating elder abuse and neglect.
943.17297 Training in identifying and investigating human trafficking.
943.17298 Training in the recognition of and responses to head trauma and brain injury in a child under 6 years of age.
943.17299 Continued employment training relating to Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia.
943.173 Examinations; administration; materials not public records; disposal of materials.
943.1735 Basic skills training related to use of force; use of force policies; contents.
943.1740 Standards for use of force investigations.
943.1745 Training relating to officer health and wellness principles.
943.175 Inservice 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.
943.257 Independent audit documentation subject to inspection.
943.31 Legislative intent.
943.32 Statewide criminal analysis laboratory system.
943.324 Rapid DNA Grant Program for county jails or sheriffs’ offices.
943.325 DNA database.
943.3251 Postsentencing DNA testing.
943.326 DNA evidence collected in sexual offense forensic physical examinations and investigations.
943.327 Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Grant Program.
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.
943.36 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.
943.366 Federal Grants Trust Fund.
943.367 Administrative Trust Fund.
943.37 Option to become state-operated laboratory; operational control.
943.403 Rulemaking; criminal justice program.
943.44353 Automatic notification of registration information regarding sexual predators and offenders.
943.60 Definitions.
943.601 Preservation of legislative powers.
943.61 Powers and duties of the Capitol Police.
943.611 Director of Capitol Police.
943.62 Investigations by the Capitol Police.
943.63 Arrest by the Capitol Police.
943.64 Ex officio agents.
943.66 Rules; Facilities Program, Capitol Police; traffic regulation.
943.67 Equipment.
943.68 Transportation and protective services.
943.681 Capitol Police program; funding.
943.685 Authority to purchase good will and promotional materials.
943.686 Unauthorized use of Department of Law Enforcement emblems or names prohibited.
943.687 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission.
943.6871 Criminal justice data transparency.
943.6872 Use of force data collection.
943.6873 Active assailant response policy.
943.69 Care for Retired Police Dogs Program.
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 law conferring powers or duties upon it. The department may adopt rules defining acts of misconduct and setting standards of disciplinary action for its employees.
(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 photocopies, to transmit information electronically, 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 crime information system capable of transmitting criminal justice information relating to criminal offenses to and between criminal justice agencies throughout the state.
(13) Subject 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 information sharing in compliance with this chapter and other provisions of law. The department shall serve as custodial manager of the Criminal Justice Network developed and maintained as part of the information system authorized by this subsection.
(14) The department, with respect to counter-terrorism efforts, responses to acts of terrorism within or affecting this state, coordinating with and providing assistance to the Federal Government in the enforcement of federal immigration laws, responses to immigration enforcement incidents within or affecting this state, and other matters related to the domestic security of Florida as it relates to terrorism and immigration enforcement incidents, shall coordinate and direct the law enforcement, initial emergency, and other initial responses. The department shall work closely with the Division of Emergency Management, other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, fire and rescue agencies, first-responder agencies, and others involved in preparation against acts of terrorism in or affecting this state, immigration enforcement incidents within or affecting this state, and in the response to such acts or incidents. The executive director of the department, or another member of the department designated by the director, shall serve as Chief of Domestic Security for the purpose of directing and coordinating such efforts. The department and Chief of Domestic Security shall use the regional domestic security task forces as established in this chapter to assist in such efforts.
(15) The Department of Law Enforcement, in consultation with the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council established in s. 943.06, shall modify the existing statewide uniform statute table in its criminal history system to meet the business requirements of state and local criminal justice and law enforcement agencies. In order to accomplish this objective, the department shall:
(a) Define the minimum business requirements necessary for successful implementation.
(b) Consider the charging and booking requirements of sheriffs’ offices and police departments and the business requirements of state attorneys, public defenders, criminal conflict and civil regional counsel, clerks of court, judges, and state law enforcement agencies.
(c) Adopt rules establishing the necessary technical and business process standards required to implement, operate, and ensure uniform system use and compliance.
(16) Upon request, the department shall consult with sheriffs to provide input regarding programmatic guiding principles, practices, and resources in order to assist in the development and implementation of the Chris Hixon, Coach Aaron Feis, and Coach Scott Beigel Guardian Program established pursuant to s. 30.15. Such input and guidance may include, but need not be limited to, standards, curriculum, instructional strategies, evaluation, certification, records retention, equipment, and other resource needs.
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; s. 4, ch. 2000-226; s. 1, ch. 2001-365; s. 2, ch. 2005-165; s. 36, ch. 2010-162; s. 9, ch. 2013-116; s. 3, ch. 2019-22; s. 17, ch. 2023-18; s. 13, ch. 2023-40.
943.031 Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council.—
(1) FINDINGS.—The Legislature finds that there is a need to develop and implement a statewide strategy to address violent criminal activity, including crimes committed by criminal gangs, and drug control efforts by state and local law enforcement agencies, including investigations of illicit money laundering. In recognition of this need, the Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council is created within the department. The council shall serve in an advisory capacity to the department.
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The council shall consist of 14 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 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) The policy coordinator in the Public Safety Unit of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budgeting, or a designate.
(h) The Chief Financial Officer, or a designate.
(i) Six members appointed by the Governor, consisting of two sheriffs, two chiefs of police, one medical examiner, and one state attorney or their designates.
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. Designates appearing on behalf of a council member who is unable to attend a meeting of the council are empowered to vote on issues before the council to the same extent the designating council member is so empowered.
(3) 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 or their designates 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 may be paid from either the Violent Crime Investigative Emergency and Drug Control Strategy Implementation Account within the Department of Law Enforcement Operating Trust Fund or from other appropriations provided to the department by the Legislature in the General Appropriations Act.
(e) The department shall provide the council with staff necessary to assist the council in the performance of its duties.
(4) MEETINGS.—The council must meet at least annually. Additional meetings may be held when determined by the department and the chair. A majority of the members of the council constitutes a quorum. Council meetings may be conducted by conference call, teleconferencing, or similar technology.
(5) DUTIES OF COUNCIL.—Subject to funding provided to the department by the Legislature, 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 that provides grants to criminal justice agencies that develop and implement effective violent crime prevention and investigative programs and which provides grants to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of drug control, criminal gang, and illicit money laundering investigative efforts or task force efforts that are determined by the council to significantly contribute to achieving the state’s goal of reducing drug-related crime, that represent significant criminal gang investigative efforts, that represent a significant illicit money laundering investigative effort, or that otherwise significantly support statewide strategies developed by the Statewide Drug Policy Advisory Council established under s. 397.333, subject to the limitations provided in this section. The grant program may include an innovations grant program to provide startup funding for new initiatives by local and state law enforcement agencies to combat violent crime or to implement drug control, criminal gang, or illicit money laundering investigative efforts or task force efforts by law enforcement agencies, including, but not limited to, initiatives such as:
a. Providing enhanced community-oriented policing.
b. Providing additional undercover officers and other investigative officers to assist with violent crime investigations in emergency situations.
c. Providing funding for multiagency or statewide drug control, criminal gang, or illicit money laundering investigative efforts or task force efforts that cannot be reasonably funded completely by alternative sources and that significantly contribute to achieving the state’s goal of reducing drug-related crime, that represent significant criminal gang investigative efforts, that represent a significant illicit money laundering investigative effort, or that otherwise significantly support statewide strategies developed by the Statewide Drug Policy Advisory Council established under s. 397.333.
2. Expanding the use of automated biometric identification systems at the state and local levels.
3. Identifying methods to prevent violent crime.
4. Identifying methods to enhance multiagency or statewide drug control, criminal gang, or illicit money laundering investigative efforts or task force efforts that significantly contribute to achieving the state’s goal of reducing drug-related crime, that represent significant criminal gang investigative efforts, that represent a significant illicit money laundering investigative effort, or that otherwise significantly support statewide strategies developed by the Statewide Drug Policy Advisory Council established under s. 397.333.
5. Enhancing criminal justice training programs that address violent crime, drug control, illicit money laundering investigative techniques, or efforts to control and eliminate criminal gangs.
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) The full council shall:
1. Receive periodic reports from regional violent crime investigation and statewide drug control strategy implementation coordinating teams which relate to violent crime trends or the investigative needs or successes in the regions, including discussions regarding the activity of significant criminal gangs in the region, factors, and trends relevant to the implementation of the statewide drug strategy, and the results of drug control and illicit money laundering investigative efforts funded in part by the council.
2. Maintain and use criteria for the disbursement of funds from the Violent Crime Investigative Emergency and Drug Control Strategy Implementation Account or any other account from which the council may disburse proactive investigative funds as may be established within the Department of Law Enforcement Operating Trust Fund or other appropriations provided to the Department of Law Enforcement by the Legislature in the General Appropriations Act. The criteria shall allow for the advancement of funds to reimburse agencies regarding violent crime investigations as approved by the full council and the advancement of funds to implement proactive drug control strategies or significant criminal gang investigative efforts as authorized by the Drug Control Strategy and Criminal Gang Committee or the Victim and Witness Protection Review Committee. Regarding violent crime investigation reimbursement, an expedited approval procedure shall be established for rapid disbursement of funds in violent crime emergency situations.
(c) As used in this section, “significant criminal gang investigative efforts” eligible for proactive funding must involve at a minimum an effort against a known criminal gang that:
1. Involves multiple law enforcement agencies.
2. Reflects a dedicated significant investigative effort on the part of each participating agency in personnel, time devoted to the investigation, and agency resources dedicated to the effort.
3. Reflects a dedicated commitment by a prosecuting authority to ensure that cases developed by the investigation will be timely and effectively prosecuted.
4. Demonstrates a strategy and commitment to dismantling the criminal gang via seizures of assets, significant money laundering and organized crime investigations and prosecutions, or similar efforts.
The council may require satisfaction of additional elements, to include reporting criminal investigative and criminal intelligence information related to criminal gang activity and members in a manner required by the department, as a prerequisite for receiving proactive criminal gang funding.
(6) DRUG CONTROL STRATEGY AND CRIMINAL GANG COMMITTEE.—
(a) The Drug Control Strategy and Criminal Gang Committee is created within the Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council, consisting of the following council members:
1. The Attorney General or a designate.
2. The designate of the executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement.
3. The secretary of the Department of Corrections or a designate.
4. The director of the Office of Planning and Budgeting in the Executive Office of the Governor or a designate.
5. The state attorney, the two sheriffs, and the two chiefs of police, or their designates.
(b) Subject to funding provided to the department by the Legislature, the committee shall review and approve all requests for disbursement of funds from the Violent Crime Investigative Emergency and Drug Control Strategy Implementation Account within the Department of Law Enforcement Operating Trust Fund and from other appropriations provided to the department by the Legislature in the General Appropriations Act. An expedited approval procedure shall be established for rapid disbursement of funds in violent crime emergency situations. Committee meetings may be conducted by conference call, teleconferencing, or similar technology.
(c) Those receiving any proactive funding provided by the council through the committee shall report the results of the investigations to the council once the investigation has been completed. The committee shall also require ongoing status reports on ongoing investigations using such findings in its closed sessions and may require a recipient to return all or any portion of unexpended proactive funds to the council.
(7) 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 Senate and House committees having principal jurisdiction over criminal law. Comments and responses of the executive director to the report are to be included.
(8) VICTIM AND WITNESS PROTECTION REVIEW COMMITTEE.—
(a) The Victim and Witness Protection Review Committee is created within the Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control 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 or at other times as required by the department and the chair. The committee meetings may be conducted by conference call, teleconferencing, or similar technology.
(b) Subject to funding provided to the department by the Legislature, the committee shall:
1. Maintain and use criteria for disbursing funds to reimburse law enforcement agencies for costs associated with providing victim and witness temporary 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.
(9) CONFIDENTIALITY; EXEMPTED PORTIONS OF COUNCIL MEETINGS AND RECORDS.—
(a) The Legislature finds that during limited portions of the meetings of the Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control 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 and Drug Control 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.
(b) The Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council shall be considered a “criminal justice agency” within the definition of s. 119.011(4).
(c)1. The Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control 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.
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 chair of 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) A tape recording of, and any minutes and notes generated during, that portion of a Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council meeting which is closed to the public pursuant to this section are confidential and exempt from 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 ceases to be active.
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; s. 1, ch. 2001-127; s. 1, ch. 2002-61; s. 1927, ch. 2003-261; s. 56, ch. 2004-335; s. 20, ch. 2008-238; s. 9, ch. 2011-51; s. 10, ch. 2013-116.
943.03101 Counter-terrorism and immigration enforcement coordination.—The Legislature finds that with respect to counter-terrorism efforts, initial responses to acts of terrorism within or affecting this state, coordinating with and providing assistance to the Federal Government in the enforcement of federal immigration laws, and responses to immigration enforcement incidents within or affecting this state, specialized efforts of emergency management which are unique to such situations are required and that these efforts intrinsically involve very close coordination of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies with the efforts of all others involved in emergency-response efforts. In order to best provide this specialized effort, the Legislature has determined that such efforts should be coordinated by and through the Department of Law Enforcement, working closely with the Division of Emergency Management and others involved in preparation against acts of terrorism in or affecting this state, immigration enforcement incidents within or affecting this state, and in the initial response to such acts, in accordance with the state comprehensive emergency management plan prepared pursuant to s. 252.35(2)(a).
History.—s. 2, ch. 2001-365; s. 1, ch. 2005-165; s. 442, ch. 2011-142; s. 14, ch. 2023-40.
943.0311 Chief of Domestic Security; duties of the department with respect to domestic security.—
(1) The executive director of the department, or a member of the department designated by the executive director, shall serve as the Chief of Domestic Security. The Chief of Domestic Security shall:
(a) Coordinate the efforts of the department in the ongoing assessment of this state’s vulnerability to, and ability to detect, prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from, acts of terrorism within or affecting this state and immigration enforcement incidents within or affecting this state.
(b) Prepare recommendations for the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, which are based upon ongoing assessments to limit the vulnerability of the state to terrorism and immigration enforcement incidents.
(c) Coordinate the collection of proposals to limit the vulnerability of the state to terrorism and immigration enforcement incidents.
(d) Use regional task forces to support the duties of the department set forth in this section.
(e) Use public or private resources to perform the duties assigned to the department under this section.
(2) The chief shall regularly coordinate random audits pursuant to s. 448.095 to ensure compliance and enforcement and shall notify the Department of Commerce of any violations.
(3) The chief shall conduct or cause to be conducted by the personnel and with the resources of the state agency, state university, or community college that owns or leases a building, facility, or structure, security assessments of buildings, facilities, and structures owned or leased by state agencies, state universities, and community colleges using methods and instruments made available by the department. Each entity making such an assessment shall prioritize its security needs based on the findings of its assessment. Each state agency, state university, and community college shall cooperate with the department and provide the assistance of employees within existing resources to provide to the chief information in the format requested by the chief. The chief must report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives if any state agency, state university, or community college substantially fails to cooperate with the chief in making a security assessment of the buildings, facilities, and structures of the state agency, state university, or community college. Assessments of any building, facility, or structure owned or leased by a state agency, state university, or community college not previously provided to the chief must be completed by the state agency, state university, or community college and provided to the chief before occupying or substantially modifying such building, facility, or structure. The chief may request additional assessments to ensure that the security assessments of buildings, facilities, and structures, owned or leased by state agencies, state universities, and community colleges, remain reasonably current and valid.
(4) The chief shall report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by November 1 of each year suggestions for specific and significant security enhancements of any building, facility, or structure owned or leased by a state agency, state university, or community college or any entity that has conducted an assessment under subsection (6). The chief may utilize the assessments provided under subsection (6) in making his or her suggestions. The report shall suggest strategies to maximize federal funds in support of building or facility security if such funds are available.
(5) To promote the continued safety of government buildings, facilities, and structures within the state, the chief shall work in conjunction with state agencies, state universities, community colleges, and local governments to recommend and implement best practices for safety and security of buildings, facilities, and structures owned or leased by state agencies, state universities, community colleges, and local governments. The chief may enlist the assistance of the State Fire Marshal and other domestic security partners in developing the recommended best practices. Best practices may be revised or enhanced by the chief as necessary. The recommended best practices are not a rule as defined in chapter 120.
(6) The chief shall communicate to local governments and water management districts the importance of conducting security assessments of buildings, facilities, and structures owned or leased by such local governments or water management districts, and the options local governments and water management districts should consider in obtaining security assessments. The cost of any security assessment of a building, facility, or structure owned or leased by a local government or water management district shall be borne by the local government or water management district, as applicable.
(7) The chief may communicate to private entities the options private entities should consider in obtaining security assessments and may solicit private entities for the purpose of communicating such options. The cost of any security assessment of a private entity shall be borne by the private entity. Private entities are urged to cooperate with and assist the department in meeting its responsibilities for domestic security.
(8) As used in this section, the term “state agency” includes the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Citrus, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Education, the Department of Elderly Affairs, the Division of Emergency Management, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Financial Services, the Department of Health, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Law Enforcement, the Department of Legal Affairs, the Department of Management Services, the Department of Military Affairs, the Department of Revenue, the Department of State, the Department of the Lottery, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Florida Commission on Offender Review, the State Board of Administration, and the Executive Office of the Governor.
History.—s. 3, ch. 2001-365; s. 1, ch. 2004-258; s. 3, ch. 2005-165; s. 443, ch. 2011-142; s. 315, ch. 2014-19; s. 30, ch. 2014-191; s. 95, ch. 2018-110; s. 15, ch. 2023-40; s. 237, ch. 2024-6.
943.0312 Regional domestic security task forces.—The Legislature finds that there is a need to develop and implement a statewide strategy to address prevention, preparation, protection, response, and recovery efforts by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, emergency management agencies, fire and rescue departments, first-responder personnel, and others in dealing with potential or actual terrorist acts within or affecting this state and potential or actual immigration enforcement incidents within or affecting this state.
(1) To assist the department and the Chief of Domestic Security in performing their roles and duties in this regard, the department shall establish a regional domestic security task force in each of the department’s operational regions. The task forces shall serve in an advisory capacity to the department and the Chief of Domestic Security and shall provide support to the department in its performance of functions pertaining to domestic security.
(a) Subject to annual appropriation, the department shall provide dedicated employees to support the function of each regional domestic security task force.
(b) Each task force shall be co-chaired by the department’s special agent in charge of the operational region in which the task force is located and by a local sheriff or chief of police from within the operational region.
(c) Each task force membership may also include representatives of state and local law enforcement agencies, fire and rescue departments, or first-responder personnel; representatives of emergency management agencies and health, medical, and hospital agencies; representatives of local emergency planning committees; and other persons as deemed appropriate and necessary by the task force co-chairs.
(d) The co-chairs of each task force may appoint subcommittees and subcommittee chairs as necessary in order to address issues related to the various disciplines represented on the task force, except that subcommittee chairs for emergency management shall be appointed with the approval of the director of the Division of Emergency Management. A subcommittee chair shall serve at the pleasure of the co-chairs.
(2) In accordance with the state’s domestic security strategic goals and objectives, each task force shall coordinate efforts to counter terrorism as defined by s. 775.30 and cooperate with and provide assistance to the Federal Government in the enforcement of federal immigration laws within or affecting this state in compliance with chapter 908, among local, state, and federal resources to ensure that such efforts are not fragmented or unnecessarily duplicated; coordinate training for local and state personnel to counter terrorism as defined in s. 775.30; and cooperate with and provide assistance to the Federal Government in the enforcement of federal immigration laws within or affecting this state in compliance with chapter 908; coordinate the collection and dissemination of investigative and intelligence information; and facilitate responses to terrorist incidents within or affecting each region and immigration enforcement incidents within or affecting each region. With the approval of the Chief of Domestic Security, the task forces may incorporate other objectives reasonably related to the goals of enhancing the state’s domestic security and ability to detect, prevent, and respond to acts of terrorism within or affecting this state or immigration enforcement incidents within or affecting this state. Each task force shall take into account the variety of conditions and resources present within its region.
(3) The Chief of Domestic Security, in conjunction with the Division of Emergency Management, the regional domestic security task forces, and the various state entities responsible for establishing training standards applicable to state law enforcement officers and fire, emergency, and first-responder personnel shall identify appropriate equipment and training needs, curricula, and materials related to the effective response to suspected or actual acts of terrorism, immigration enforcement incidents, or incidents involving real or hoax weapons of mass destruction as defined in s. 790.166. Recommendations for funding for purchases of equipment, delivery of training, implementation of, or revision to basic or continued training required for state licensure or certification, or other related responses shall be made by the Chief of Domestic Security to the Domestic Security Oversight Council, the Executive Office of the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives as necessary to ensure that the needs of this state with regard to the preparing, equipping, training, and exercising of response personnel are identified and addressed. In making such recommendations, the Chief of Domestic Security and the Division of Emergency Management shall identify all funding sources that may be available to fund such efforts.
(4) Each regional domestic security task force, working in conjunction with the department, the Office of the Attorney General, and other public or private entities, shall work to ensure that hate-driven acts against ethnic groups that may have been targeted as a result of acts of terrorism in or affecting this state, or as a result of immigration enforcement incidents within or affecting this state, are appropriately investigated and responded to.
(5) Members of each regional domestic security task force may not receive any pay other than their salaries normally received from their employers, but are entitled to reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses in accordance with s. 112.061.
(6) Subject to annual appropriation, the department shall provide staff and administrative support for the regional domestic security task forces.
History.—s. 4, ch. 2001-365; s. 4, ch. 2005-165; s. 13, ch. 2017-37; s. 16, ch. 2023-40.
943.0313 Domestic Security Oversight Council.—The Legislature finds that there exists a need to provide executive direction and leadership with respect to terrorism and immigration enforcement incident prevention, preparation, protection, response, and recovery efforts by state and local agencies in this state. In recognition of this need, the Domestic Security Oversight Council is hereby created. The council shall serve as an advisory council pursuant to s. 20.03(7) to provide guidance to the state’s regional domestic security task forces and other domestic security working groups and to make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature regarding the expenditure of funds and allocation of resources related to counter-terrorism and cooperating with and providing assistance to the Federal Government in the enforcement of federal immigration laws and domestic security efforts.
(1) MEMBERSHIP.—
(a) The Domestic Security Oversight Council shall consist of the following voting members:
1. The executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement.
2. The director of the Division of Emergency Management.
3. The Attorney General.
4. The Commissioner of Agriculture.
5. The State Surgeon General.
6. The Commissioner of Education.
7. The State Fire Marshal.
8. The adjutant general of the Florida National Guard.
9. The state chief information officer.
10. Each sheriff or chief of police who serves as a co-chair of a regional domestic security task force pursuant to s. 943.0312(1)(b).
11. Each of the department’s special agents in charge who serve as a co-chair of a regional domestic security task force.
12. Two representatives of the Florida Fire Chiefs Association.
13. One representative of the Florida Police Chiefs Association.
14. One representative of the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association.
15. The chair of the Statewide Domestic Security Intelligence Committee.
16. One representative of the Florida Hospital Association.
17. One representative of the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council.
18. One representative of the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association.
19. One representative of the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council.
(b) In addition to the members designated in paragraph (a), the council may invite other ex officio, nonvoting members to attend and participate in council meetings. Those nonvoting members may include, but need not be limited to:
1. The executive director of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
2. The Secretary of Health Care Administration.
3. The Secretary of Environmental Protection.
4. The director of the Division of Law Enforcement within the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
5. A representative of the Commission on Human Relations.
6. A representative of the United States Coast Guard.
7. A United States Attorney from a federal judicial circuit within this state.
8. A special agent in charge from an office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation within this state.
9. A representative of the United States Department of Homeland Security.
10. A representative of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
11. A representative of United States Customs and Border Protection.
(2) ORGANIZATION.—
(a) 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 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 a member of the Legislature may not serve on the council.
(b) The executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement shall serve as chair of the council, and the director of the Division of Emergency Management shall serve as vice chair of the council. In the absence of the chair, the vice chair shall serve as chair. In the absence of the vice chair, the chair may name any member of the council to perform the duties of the chair if such substitution does not extend beyond a defined meeting, duty, or period of time.
(c) Any absent voting member of the council may be represented by a designee empowered to act on any issue before the council to the same extent that the designating member is empowered. If a co-chair of a regional domestic security task force is absent from a council meeting, the co-chair shall appoint a subcommittee chair of that task force as the designee.
(d) The council shall establish bylaws for its general governance.
(e) Any member of the council serving by reason of the office or employment held by the member shall cease to serve on the council at such time as he or she ceases to hold the office or employment which was the basis for appointment to the council.
(f) Representatives from agencies or organizations other than those designated by title shall be chosen by the entity. Except for those individuals designated by title, council members shall be certified annually to the chair by the organization they represent.
(g) Members of the council or their designees shall serve without compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses pursuant to s. 112.061.
(h) The department shall provide the council with the staff support necessary to assist in the performance of its duties.
(3) MEETINGS.—The council must meet at least semiannually. Additional meetings may be held as necessary. A majority of the members of the council constitutes a quorum.
(4) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.—
(a) The council shall establish an executive committee consisting of the following members:
1. The executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement.
2. The director of the Division of Emergency Management.
3. The Attorney General.
4. The Commissioner of Agriculture.
5. The State Surgeon General.
6. The Commissioner of Education.
7. The State Fire Marshal.
(b) The executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement shall serve as the chair of the executive committee, and the director of the Division of Emergency Management shall serve as the vice chair of the executive committee.
(c) The executive committee shall approve all matters brought before the council prior to consideration. When expedited action of the council is deemed necessary by the chair or vice chair, the executive committee may act on behalf of the council.
(5) DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL.—
(a) The Domestic Security Oversight Council shall serve as an advisory council to the Governor, the Legislature, and the Chief of Domestic Security. The council shall:
1. Review the development, maintenance, and operation of a comprehensive multidisciplinary domestic security strategy that will guide the state’s prevention, preparedness, protection, response, and recovery efforts against terrorist attacks and immigration enforcement incidents and make appropriate recommendations to ensure the implementation of that strategy.
2. Review the development of integrated funding plans to support specific projects, goals, and objectives necessary to the state’s domestic security strategy and make appropriate recommendations to implement those plans.
3. Review and recommend approval of prioritized recommendations from regional domestic security task forces and state working groups on the use of available funding to ensure the use of such funds in a manner that best promotes the goals of statewide, regional, and local domestic security through coordinated planning and implementation strategies.
4. Review and recommend approval of statewide policies and operational protocols that support the domestic security efforts of the regional domestic security task forces and state agencies.
5. Review the overall statewide effectiveness of domestic security efforts, counter-terrorism efforts, and efforts of coordinating with and providing assistance to the Federal Government in the enforcement of federal immigration laws in order to provide suggestions to improve or enhance those efforts.
6. Review the efforts of any agency or entity involved in state or local domestic security efforts, counter-terrorism efforts, and efforts of coordination with and providing assistance to the Federal Government in the enforcement of federal immigration laws that requests assistance or that appears to need such review in order to provide suggestions to improve or enhance those efforts.
7. Review efforts within the state to better secure state and local infrastructure against terrorist attack or immigration enforcement incidents and make recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of such efforts.
8. Review and recommend legislative initiatives related to the state’s domestic security and provide endorsement or recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of such efforts.
9. Review statewide or multiagency mobilizations and responses to major domestic security incidents and recommend suggestions for training, improvement of response efforts, or improvement of coordination or for other strategies that may be derived as necessary from such reviews.
10. Conduct any additional review or inquiry or make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature in support of other initiatives, as may be necessary, to fulfill the function of general oversight of the state’s domestic security efforts, counter-terrorism efforts, and efforts of coordinating with and providing assistance to the Federal Government in the enforcement of federal immigration laws and to promote increased security.
11. Promote and preserve intergovernmental cooperation and consensus among state and local agencies, the Federal Government, private entities, other states, and other nations, as appropriate, under the guidance of the Governor.
(b) The Domestic Security Oversight Council shall make an annual funding recommendation to the Governor and Legislature which shall prioritize funding requests based on allocations from all available sources for implementing the state’s domestic security strategy. This recommendation must include the prioritized recommendations of each of the regional domestic security task forces and the various working groups that participate in the prioritization process for funding allocations. The recommendation must reflect the consideration of strategic priorities and allocations that best serve the state’s overall domestic security needs. The recommendation shall be transmitted to the Governor and the Legislature by December 31 of each year. If additional funds become available, or reallocation of funding is required beyond current spending authorizations, the council may make recommendations to the Governor for consideration by the Legislative Budget Commission.
(6) REPORTS.—The council shall report annually on its activities, on or before December 31 of each calendar year, to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the chairs of the committees having principal jurisdiction over domestic security in the Senate and the House of Representatives.
(7) AGENCY DESIGNATION.—For purposes of this section, the Domestic Security Oversight Council shall be considered a criminal justice agency within the definition of s. 119.011(4).
History.—s. 5, ch. 2005-165; s. 13, ch. 2007-105; s. 111, ch. 2008-6; s. 444, ch. 2011-142; s. 17, ch. 2023-40.
943.0314 Public records and public meetings exemptions; Domestic Security Oversight Council.—
(1)(a) That portion of a meeting of the Domestic Security Oversight Council at which the council will hear or discuss active criminal investigative information or active criminal intelligence information as defined in s. 119.011 is exempt from s. 286.011 and s. 24(b), Art. I of the State Constitution, if:
1. The chair of the council announces at a public meeting that, in connection with the performance of the council’s duties, it is necessary that active criminal investigative information or active criminal intelligence information be discussed.
2. The chair declares the specific reasons that it is necessary to close the meeting, or portion thereof, in a document that is a public record and filed with the official records of the council.
3. The entire closed meeting is recorded. The recording must include the times of commencement and termination of the closed meeting or portion thereof, all discussion and proceedings, and the names of the persons present. No portion of the closed meeting shall be off the record. The recording shall be maintained by the council.
(b) An audio or video recording of, and any minutes and notes generated during, a closed meeting of the council or closed portion of a meeting of the council are exempt from 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 heard or discussed therein ceases to be active. Such audio or video recording and minutes and notes shall be retained pursuant to the requirements of s. 119.021.
(2) Only members of the council, staff supporting the council’s functions, and other persons whose presence has been authorized by the chair of the council shall be allowed to attend the exempted portions of council meetings. The council shall ensure that any closure of its meetings as authorized by this section is limited so that the policy of this state in favor of public meetings is maintained.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2005-211; s. 168, ch. 2008-4; s. 1, ch. 2010-74.
943.032 Financial Crime Analysis Center and Financial Transaction Database.—
(1) There is created within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement a Financial Crime Analysis Center and a Financial Transaction Database.
(2) The department shall compile information and data available from financial transaction reports required to be submitted by state or federal law that are provided to the Department of Financial Services, to the Office of Financial Regulation of the Financial Services Commission, to the Department of Revenue, or to which the department otherwise has access. Information and data so received shall be utilized by the department in the Financial Transaction Database. The department shall implement a system utilizing the database that allows data review and processing to reveal patterns, trends, and correlations that are indicative of money laundering or other financial transactions indicative of criminal activity. The department shall, in consultation with the Department of Financial Services, the Office of Financial Regulation of the Financial Services Commission, and the Department of Revenue, establish the methods and parameters by which information and data received by such agencies are transferred to the department for inclusion in the database. Information developed in or through the use of the database shall be made available to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in this state in a manner defined by the department and as allowed by state or federal law or regulation. All information contained in the database shall be considered “active criminal intelligence” or “active criminal investigative information” as defined in s. 119.011.
(3) The Financial Crime Analysis Center shall analyze and develop information relating to money laundering, perform postseizure analysis of currency and drug seizures in drug cases, and access information and data in the Financial Transaction Database for the purposes of assisting the department’s drug and money laundering investigation and forfeiture efforts, assisting the efforts of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in this state in investigating ongoing, organized drug trafficking and money laundering activities occurring within the state, and assisting the department in investigations of other financial transactions indicative of criminal activity. The center may perform proactive analyses of information and intelligence to assist in identifying those who may be engaging in money laundering, drug-related criminal activity, or other criminal activity involving financial transactions, but who have evaded detection, investigation, or prosecution.
History.—s. 25, ch. 2000-360; s. 1928, ch. 2003-261.
943.0321 The Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Center and the Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Database.—
(1)(a) There is created within the Department of Law Enforcement the Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Center.
(b) The Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Database is created within the Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Center.
(2) The intelligence center shall:
(a) Gather, document, and analyze active criminal intelligence and criminal investigative information related to terrorism, as defined in s. 775.30, including information related to individuals or groups that plot, plan, or coordinate acts of terrorism, as defined in s. 775.30, and that operate within this state or otherwise commit acts affecting this state;
(b) Maintain and operate the domestic security and counter-terrorism database; and
(c) Provide support and assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors that investigate or prosecute terrorism, as defined in s. 775.30.
(3)(a) The database shall include active criminal intelligence information and active criminal investigative information submitted by federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors and information that is available from other law enforcement databases.
(b) The database shall be capable of performing data review and processing that may reveal patterns, trends, and correlations indicative of potential or actual terrorism activity within or affecting this state.
(c) The department shall establish methods and parameters by which information and data are transferred to the department for inclusion in the database. Information developed in or through the use of the database shall be made available to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in a manner defined by the department and as allowed by state or federal law or rule.
(4)(a) Information that is exempt from public disclosure under chapter 119 when in the possession of the intelligence center retains its exemption from public disclosure after such information is revealed to a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency or prosecutor, except as otherwise provided by law.
(b) Information obtained by the intelligence center from a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency or prosecutor which is exempt from public disclosure under state or federal law when in the possession of a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency or prosecutor retains its exemption from public disclosure after such information is revealed to the intelligence center, except as otherwise provided by law.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2001-366; s. 14, ch. 2017-37.
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.
(6)(a) In furtherance of the duties and responsibilities of the inspector general under s. 944.31, if the Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an investigation or assisting in the investigation of an injury to or death of an inmate which occurs while the inmate is under the custody or control of the Department of Corrections, the department is authorized to, before the initiation of a criminal proceeding relating to such injury or death, issue in writing and serve upon the Department of Corrections an investigative demand seeking the production of the inmate’s protected health information, medical records, or mental health records as specified in s. 945.10(1)(a). The department shall use such records for the limited purpose of investigating or assisting in an investigation of an injury to or death of an inmate for which the records were requested. Any records disclosed pursuant to this subsection remain confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution in accordance with s. 945.10(2).
(b) The investigative demand must be specific and limited in scope to the extent reasonably practicable in light of the purpose for which the protected health information or records are sought and must include a certification that:
1. The protected health information or records sought are relevant and material to a legitimate law enforcement inquiry;
2. There is a clear connection between the investigated incident and the inmate whose protected health information and records are sought; and
3. Deidentified information could not reasonably be used.
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; s. 9, ch. 2005-100; s. 1, ch. 2017-31.
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.
943.0411 Online Sting Operations Grant Program for local law enforcement agencies to protect children.—
(1) There is created within the department the Online Sting Operations Grant Program to award grants to local law enforcement agencies to support their creation of sting operations to target individuals online preying upon children or attempting to do so.
(2) The department shall annually award to local law enforcement agencies any funds specifically appropriated for the grant program to cover expenses related to computers, electronics, software, and other related necessary supplies. Grants must be provided to local law enforcement agencies if funds are appropriated for that purpose by law. The total amount of grants awarded may not exceed funding appropriated for the grant program.
(3) The department may establish criteria and set specific time periods for the acceptance of applications and for the selection process for awarding grant funds.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2024-72.
943.0412 Identity Theft and Fraud Grant Program.—
(1) There is created the Identity Theft and Fraud Grant Program within the department to award grants to support local law enforcement agencies in the investigation and enforcement of personal identification information theft and fraud. Grants shall be provided if funds are appropriated for that purpose by law.
(2) Funds collected pursuant to s. 817.568(12)(a) and any funds specifically appropriated for the grant program shall be awarded annually by the department to local law enforcement agencies. The total amount of grants awarded may not exceed funding appropriated for the grant program.
(3) The department may establish criteria and set specific time periods for the acceptance of applications and for the selection process for awards.
History.—s. 5, ch. 2014-200.
943.0415 Cybercrime Office.—There is created within the Department of Law Enforcement the Cybercrime Office. The office may:
(1) Investigate violations of state law pertaining to the sexual exploitation of children which are facilitated by or connected to the use of any device capable of storing electronic data.
(2) Monitor state information technology resources and provide analysis on information technology security incidents, threats, and breaches as defined in s. 282.0041.
(3) Investigate violations of state law pertaining to information technology security incidents pursuant to s. 282.0041 and assist in incident response and recovery.
(4) Provide security awareness training and information to state agency employees concerning cybersecurity, online sexual exploitation of children, and security risks, and the responsibility of employees to comply with policies, standards, guidelines, and operating procedures adopted by the department.
(5) Consult with the Florida Digital Service within the Department of Management Services in the adoption of rules relating to the information technology security provisions in s. 282.318.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2011-132; s. 20, ch. 2014-221; s. 28, ch. 2019-118; s. 11, ch. 2020-161.
943.042 Violent Crime Investigative Emergency and Drug Control Strategy Implementation Account.—
(1) There is created a Violent Crime Investigative Emergency and Drug Control Strategy Implementation 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 that are involved in complex and lengthy violent crime investigations, or matching funding to multiagency or statewide drug control or illicit money laundering investigative efforts or task force efforts that significantly contribute to achieving the state’s goal of reducing drug-related crime, that represent a significant illicit money laundering investigative effort, or that otherwise significantly support statewide strategies developed by the Statewide Drug Policy Advisory Council established under s. 397.333;
(b) State and local law enforcement agencies that are involved in violent crime investigations which constitute a significant emergency within the state; or
(c) Counties that 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 and Drug Control Council, the department must maintain 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 a $100,000 maximum limit on the amount that may be disbursed on a single investigation and a $200,000 maximum limit on funds that may be provided to a single agency during the agency’s fiscal year.
(e) Procedures for law enforcement agencies to use when applying for funds, including certification by the head of the agency that a request complies with the requirements established by the council.
(f) Annual evaluation and audit of the trust fund.
(3) With regard to the funding of drug control or illicit money laundering investigative efforts or task force efforts, the department shall adopt rules which, at a minimum, address the following:
(a) Criteria for determining what constitutes a multiagency or statewide drug control or illicit money laundering investigative effort or task force effort eligible to seek funding under this section.
(b) Criteria for determining whether a multiagency or statewide investigation or task force effort significantly contributes to achieving the state’s goals and strategies.
(c) Limitations upon the amount that may be disbursed yearly to a single multiagency or statewide drug control or illicit money laundering investigation or task force effort.
(d) Procedures to utilize when applying for funds, including a required designation of the amount of matching funds being provided by the task force or participating agencies and a signed commitment by the head of each agency seeking funds that funds so designated will be utilized as represented if council funding is provided.
(e) Requirements to expend funds provided by the council in the manner authorized by the council, and a method of accounting for the receipt, use, and disbursement of any funds expended in drug control or illicit money laundering investigative efforts or task force efforts funded in part under the authority of this section.
(f) Requirements for reporting by recipient agencies on the performance and accomplishments secured by the investigative or task force efforts, including a requirement that the reports demonstrate how the state’s drug control goals and strategies have been promoted by the efforts, and how other investigative goals have been met, including arrests made by such efforts, results of prosecutions based on such arrests, impact upon organized criminal enterprise structures by reason of such efforts, property or currency seizures made, illicit money laundering operations disrupted or otherwise impacted, forfeiture of assets by reason of such efforts, and anticipated or actual utilization of assets received by reason of a forfeiture based in whole or in part upon an investigation funded in whole or in part by council funds.
(4)(a) Except as permitted in this section, a disbursement from the Violent Crime Investigative Emergency and Drug Control Strategy Implementation Account shall not be used to supplant existing appropriations of state and local law enforcement agencies and counties or to otherwise fund expenditures that are ordinary or reasonably predictable for the operation of a state or local law enforcement agency.
(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 or any other forfeiture action is authorized to donate a portion of such funds to the account.
(c) Upon a finding by a majority of the members of the council, any unexcused failure by recipient agencies or task forces to utilize funds in the manner authorized by this section and the Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council, or to timely provide required accounting records, reports, or other information requested by the council or by the department related to funding requested or provided, shall:
1. Constitute a basis for a demand by the council for the immediate return of all or any portion of funds previously provided to the recipient by the council; and
2. Result in termination or limitation of any pending funding by the council under this section,
and may, upon specific direction of a majority of the council, result in disqualification of the involved agencies or task forces from consideration for additional or future funding for investigative efforts as described in this section for a period of not more than 2 years following the council’s action. The council, through the department, is authorized to pursue any collection remedies necessary if a recipient agency fails to return funds as demanded.
History.—s. 3, ch. 93-204; s. 3, ch. 94-215; s. 2, ch. 97-302; s. 3, ch. 2001-127; s. 10, ch. 2011-51.
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. The department shall determine what information shall be made available to the public through the Internet. However, the department may not display on or disseminate through the Internet public registry maintained by the department any information regarding a vehicle that is owned by a person who is not required to register as a sexual predator or sexual offender.
(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.
(5) In an effort to ensure that sexual predators and sexual offenders who fail to respond to address-verification attempts or who otherwise abscond from registration are located in a timely manner, the department shall share information with local law enforcement agencies. The department shall use analytical resources to assist local law enforcement agencies to determine the potential whereabouts of any sexual predator or sexual offender who fails to respond to address-verification attempts or who otherwise absconds from registration. The department shall review and analyze all available information concerning any such predator or offender who fails to respond to address-verification attempts or who otherwise absconds from registration and provide the information to local law enforcement agencies in order to assist the agencies in locating and apprehending the sexual predator or sexual offender.
History.—s. 7, ch. 97-299; s. 6, ch. 98-81; s. 8, ch. 2005-28; s. 4, ch. 2014-5.
1943.0435 Sexual offenders required to register with the department; penalty.—
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Change in status at an institution of higher education” has the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.
(b) “Convicted” means that 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, and includes an adjudication of delinquency of a juvenile as specified in this section. 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 or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere in any state of the United States or other jurisdiction.
(c) “Electronic mail address” has the same meaning as provided in s. 668.602.
(d) “Institution of higher education” has the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.
(e) “Internet identifier” has the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.
(f) “Permanent residence,” “temporary residence,” and “transient residence” have the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.
(g) “Professional license” has the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.
(h)1. “Sexual offender” means a person who meets the criteria in sub-subparagraph a., sub-subparagraph b., sub-subparagraph c., or sub-subparagraph d., as follows:
a.(I) Has been 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. 393.135(2); s. 394.4593(2); s. 787.01, s. 787.02, or s. 787.025(2)(c), where the victim is a minor; s. 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), or (g); former s. 787.06(3)(h); s. 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10); s. 794.05; former s. 796.03; former s. 796.035; s. 800.04; s. 810.145(8); s. 825.1025; s. 827.071; s. 847.0133; s. 847.0135, excluding s. 847.0135(6); s. 847.0137; s. 847.0138; s. 847.0145; s. 895.03, if the court makes a written finding that the racketeering activity involved at least one sexual offense listed in this sub-sub-subparagraph or at least one offense listed in this sub-sub-subparagraph with sexual intent or motive; s. 916.1075(2); or s. 985.701(1); or any similar offense committed in this state which has been redesignated from a former statute number to one of those listed in this sub-sub-subparagraph; and
(II) Has been released on or after October 1, 1997, from a sanction imposed for any conviction of an offense described in sub-sub-subparagraph (I) and does not otherwise meet the criteria for registration as a sexual offender under chapter 944 or chapter 985. For purposes of this sub-sub-subparagraph, a sanction imposed in this state or in any other jurisdiction means probation, community control, parole, conditional release, control release, or incarceration in a state prison, federal prison, contractor-operated correctional facility, or local detention facility. If no sanction is imposed, the person is deemed to be released upon conviction;
b. Establishes or maintains a residence in this state and who has not been designated as a sexual predator by a court of this state but who has been designated as a sexual predator, as a sexually violent predator, or any other sexual offender designation in another state or jurisdiction and was, as a result of such designation, subjected to registration or community or public notification, or both, or would be if the person were a resident of that state or jurisdiction, without regard to whether the person otherwise meets the criteria for registration as a sexual offender;
c. Establishes or maintains a residence in this state who is in the custody or control of, or under the supervision of, any other state or jurisdiction as a result of a conviction for committing, or attempting, soliciting, or conspiring to commit, any of the criminal offenses proscribed in the following statutes or similar offense in another jurisdiction: s. 393.135(2); s. 394.4593(2); s. 787.01, s. 787.02, or s. 787.025(2)(c), where the victim is a minor; s. 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), or (g); former s. 787.06(3)(h); s. 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10); s. 794.05; former s. 796.03; former s. 796.035; s. 800.04; s. 810.145(8); s. 825.1025; s. 827.071; s. 847.0133; s. 847.0135, excluding s. 847.0135(6); s. 847.0137; s. 847.0138; s. 847.0145; s. 895.03, if the court makes a written finding that the racketeering activity involved at least one sexual offense listed in this sub-subparagraph or at least one offense listed in this sub-subparagraph with sexual intent or motive; s. 916.1075(2); or s. 985.701(1); or any similar offense committed in this state which has been redesignated from a former statute number to one of those listed in this sub-subparagraph; or
d. On or after July 1, 2007, has been adjudicated delinquent for 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 when the juvenile was 14 years of age or older at the time of the offense:
(I) Section 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10);
(II) Section 800.04(4)(a)2. where the victim is under 12 years of age or where the court finds sexual activity by the use of force or coercion;
(III) Section 800.04(5)(c)1. where the court finds molestation involving unclothed genitals;
(IV) Section 800.04(5)(d) where the court finds the use of force or coercion and unclothed genitals; or
(V) Any similar offense committed in this state which has been redesignated from a former statute number to one of those listed in this sub-subparagraph.
2. For all qualifying offenses listed in sub-subparagraph 1.d., the court shall make a written finding of the age of the offender at the time of the offense.
For each violation of a qualifying offense listed in this subsection, except for a violation of s. 794.011, the court shall make a written finding of the age of the victim at the time of the offense. For a violation of s. 800.04(4), the court shall also make a written finding indicating whether the offense involved sexual activity and indicating whether the offense involved force or coercion. For a violation of s. 800.04(5), the court shall also make a written finding that the offense did or did not involve unclothed genitals or genital area and that the offense did or did not involve the use of force or coercion.
(i) “Vehicles owned” has the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.
(2) Upon initial registration, a sexual offender shall:
(a) Report in person at the sheriff’s office:
1. In the county in which the offender establishes or maintains a permanent, temporary, or transient residence within 48 hours after:
a. Establishing permanent, temporary, or transient residence in this state; or
b. Being released from the custody, control, or supervision of the Department of Corrections or from the custody of a contractor-operated correctional facility; or
2. In the county where he or she was convicted within 48 hours after being convicted for a qualifying offense for registration under this section if the offender is not in the custody or control of, or under the supervision of, the Department of Corrections, or is not in the custody of a contractor-operated correctional facility.
Any change in the information required to be provided pursuant to paragraph (b), including, but not limited to, any change in the sexual offender’s permanent, temporary, or transient residence; name; electronic mail addresses; Internet identifiers and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name; home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers; employment information; and any change in status at an institution of higher education after the sexual offender reports in person at the sheriff’s office must be reported in the manner provided in subsections (4), (7), and (8).
(b) Provide his or her name; date of birth; social security number; race; sex; height; weight; tattoos or other identifying marks; hair and eye color; fingerprints; palm prints; photograph; employment information; address of permanent or legal residence or address of any current temporary residence, within this state or out of state, including a rural route address and a post office box; if he or she has no permanent or temporary address, any transient residence within this state; address, location or description, and dates of any current or known future temporary residence within this state or out of state; the make, model, color, vehicle identification number (VIN), and license tag number of all vehicles owned; home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers; electronic mail addresses; Internet identifiers and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name; date and place of each conviction; and a brief description of the crime or crimes committed by the offender. A post office box may not be provided in lieu of a physical residential address. The sexual offender shall also produce his or her passport, if he or she has a passport, and, if he or she is an alien, shall produce or provide information about documents establishing his or her immigration status. The sexual offender shall also provide information about any professional licenses he or she has.
1. If the sexual offender’s place of residence is a motor vehicle, trailer, mobile home, or manufactured home, as those terms are defined in chapter 320, the sexual offender shall also provide to the department through the sheriff’s office written notice of the vehicle identification number (VIN); 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 those terms are 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 of the vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat; and a description, including color scheme, of the vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat.
2. If the sexual offender is enrolled or employed, whether for compensation or as a volunteer, at an institution of higher education in this state, the sexual offender shall also provide to the department the name, address, and county of each institution, including each campus attended, and the sexual offender’s enrollment, volunteer, or employment status. The sheriff, the Department of Corrections, or the Department of Juvenile Justice shall promptly notify each institution of higher education of the sexual offender’s presence and any change in the sexual offender’s enrollment, volunteer, or employment status.
3. A sexual offender shall report with the department through the department’s online system or in person to the sheriff’s office within 48 hours after any change in vehicles owned to report those vehicle information changes.
(c) Provide any other information determined necessary by the department, including criminal and corrections records; nonprivileged personnel and treatment records; and evidentiary genetic markers, when available.
When a sexual offender reports at the sheriff’s office, the sheriff shall take a photograph, a set of fingerprints, and palm prints of the offender and forward the photographs, palm prints, and fingerprints to the department, along with the information the sexual offender is required to provide pursuant to this section. The sheriff shall promptly provide to the department the information received from the sexual offender.
(3) Within 48 hours after the report required under subsection (2), a sexual offender shall report in person at a driver license office of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, unless a driver license or identification card that complies with the requirements of s. 322.141(3) was previously secured or updated under s. 944.607. At the driver license office the sexual offender shall:
(a) If otherwise qualified, secure a Florida driver license, renew a Florida driver 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 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 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 license or identification card as required by this section. The driver license or identification card issued must be in compliance with s. 322.141(3).
(c) Provide, upon request, any additional information necessary to confirm the identity of the sexual offender, including a set of fingerprints.
(4)(a) Each time a sexual offender’s driver license or identification card is subject to renewal, and, without regard to the status of the offender’s driver license or identification card, within 48 hours after any change in the offender’s permanent, temporary, or transient residence or change in the offender’s name by reason of marriage or other legal process, the offender shall report in person to a driver license office, and is 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 may 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 this section and ss. 943.043 and 944.606. A sexual offender who is unable to secure or update a driver license or an identification card with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles as provided in subsection (3) and this subsection shall also report any change in the sexual offender’s permanent, temporary, or transient residence or change in the offender’s name by reason of marriage or other legal process within 48 hours after the change to the sheriff’s office in the county where the offender resides or is located and provide confirmation that he or she reported such information to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The reporting requirements under this paragraph do not negate the requirement for a sexual offender to obtain a Florida driver license or an identification card as required in this section.
(b)1. A sexual offender who vacates a permanent, temporary, or transient residence and fails to establish or maintain another permanent, temporary, or transient residence shall, within 48 hours after vacating the permanent, temporary, or transient residence, report in person to the sheriff’s office of the county in which he or she is located. The sexual offender shall specify the date upon which he or she intends to or did vacate such residence. The sexual offender must provide or update all of the registration information required under paragraph (2)(b). The sexual offender must provide an address for the residence or other place where he or she is or will be located during the time in which he or she fails to establish or maintain a permanent or temporary residence.
2. A sexual offender shall report in person at the sheriff’s office in the county in which he or she is located within 48 hours after establishing a transient residence and thereafter must report in person every 30 days to the sheriff’s office in the county in which he or she is located while maintaining a transient residence. The sexual offender must provide the addresses and locations where he or she maintains a transient residence. Each sheriff’s office shall report transient residence information in a manner prescribed by the department and provide notice to transient registrants to report transient residence information as required in this subparagraph. Reporting to the sheriff’s office as required by this subparagraph does not exempt registrants from any reregistration requirement. The sheriff may coordinate and enter into agreements with police departments and other governmental entities to facilitate additional reporting sites for transient residence registration required in this subparagraph. The sheriff’s office shall electronically submit to and update with the department all such information within 2 business days after the sexual offender provides it to the sheriff’s office.
(c) A sexual offender who remains at a permanent, temporary, or transient residence after reporting his or her intent to vacate such residence shall, within 48 hours after the date upon which the offender indicated he or she would or did vacate such residence, report in person to the agency to which he or she reported pursuant to paragraph (b) for the purpose of reporting his or her address at such residence. When the sheriff receives the report, the sheriff shall promptly convey the information to the department. A sexual offender who makes a report as required under paragraph (b) but fails to make a report as required under this paragraph commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(d) The failure of a sexual offender who maintains a transient residence to report in person to the sheriff’s office every 30 days as required in subparagraph (b)2. is punishable as provided in subsection (9).
(e)1. A sexual offender shall register all electronic mail addresses and Internet identifiers, and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name, with the department through the department’s online system or in person at the sheriff’s office within 48 hours after using such electronic mail addresses or Internet identifiers. If the sexual offender is in the custody or control, or under the supervision, of the Department of Corrections, he or she must report all electronic mail addresses and Internet identifiers, and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name, to the Department of Corrections before using such electronic mail addresses or Internet identifiers. If the sexual offender is in the custody or control, or under the supervision, of the Department of Juvenile Justice, he or she must report all electronic mail addresses and Internet identifiers, and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name, to the Department of Juvenile Justice before using such electronic mail addresses or Internet identifiers.
2. A sexual offender shall register all changes to vehicles owned, all changes to home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers, including added and deleted numbers, all changes to employment information, and all changes in status related to enrollment, volunteering, or employment at institutions of higher education, through the department’s online system; in person at the sheriff’s office; in person at the Department of Corrections if the sexual offender is in the custody or control, or under the supervision, of the Department of Corrections; or in person at the Department of Juvenile Justice if the sexual offender is in the custody or control, or under the supervision, of the Department of Juvenile Justice. All changes required to be reported under this subparagraph must be reported within 48 hours after the change.
3. The department shall establish an online system through which sexual offenders may securely access, submit, and update all changes in status to vehicles owned; electronic mail addresses; Internet identifiers and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name; home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers; employment information; and institution of higher education information.
(f) If the sexual offender is in the custody of a local jail, the custodian of the local jail shall register the sexual offender within 3 business days after intake of the sexual offender for any reason and upon release, and shall forward the registration information to the department. The custodian of the local jail shall also take a digitized photograph of the sexual offender while the sexual offender remains in custody and shall provide the digitized photograph to the department. The custodian shall notify the department if the sexual offender escapes from custody or dies.
(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) County and local law enforcement agencies, in conjunction with the department, shall verify the addresses of sexual offenders who are not under the care, custody, control, or supervision of the Department of Corrections, and may verify the addresses of sexual offenders who are under the care, custody, control, or supervision of the Department of Corrections, in a manner that is consistent with the provisions of the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 and any other federal standards applicable to such verification or required to be met as a condition for the receipt of federal funds by the state. Local law enforcement agencies shall report to the department any failure by a sexual offender to comply with registration requirements.
(7) A sexual offender who intends to establish a permanent, temporary, or transient residence in another state or jurisdiction other than the State of Florida shall report in person to the sheriff of the county of current residence at least 48 hours before the date he or she intends to leave this state to establish residence in another state or jurisdiction or at least 21 days before the date he or she intends to travel outside of the United States. Any travel that is not known by the sexual offender 48 hours before he or she intends to establish a residence in another state or jurisdiction, or 21 days before the departure date for travel outside of the United States, must be reported in person to the sheriff’s office as soon as possible before departure. The sexual offender shall provide to the sheriff the address, municipality, county, state, and country of intended residence. For international travel, the sexual offender shall also provide travel information, including, but not limited to, expected departure and return dates, flight number, airport of departure, cruise port of departure, or any other means of intended travel. 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, jurisdiction, or country of residence or the intended country of travel of the sexual offender’s intended residence or intended travel. The failure of a sexual offender to provide his or her intended place of residence or intended travel is punishable as provided in subsection (9).
(8) A sexual offender who indicates his or her intent to establish a permanent, temporary, or transient residence in another state, a jurisdiction other than the State of Florida, or intent to travel to another country 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, report in person to the sheriff’s office to which the sexual offender reported the intended change of residence or intended international travel, and report his or her intent 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 establish a permanent, temporary, or transient residence in another state, a jurisdiction other than the State of Florida, or intent to travel to another country, but who remains in this state without reporting to the sheriff 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) Except as otherwise specifically provided, a sexual offender who fails to register; who fails, after registration, to maintain, acquire, or renew a driver license or an identification card; who fails to provide required location information or change-of-name information; who fails to provide electronic mail addresses, Internet identifiers, and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name; who fails to provide all home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers; who fails to report any changes to employment information or changes in status at an institution of higher education; who fails to report any changes to vehicles owned, including the addition of new vehicles and changes to the make, model, color, vehicle identification number (VIN), and license tag numbers of previously reported vehicles; who fails to make a required report in connection with vacating a permanent residence; who fails to reregister as required; who fails to respond to any address verification correspondence from the department or from county or local law enforcement agencies within 3 weeks after the date of the correspondence; who knowingly provides false registration information by act or omission; or who otherwise fails, by act or omission, to 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. Each instance of a failure to register or report changes to the required information specified in this paragraph constitutes a separate offense.
(b) For a felony violation of this section, excluding subsection (13), committed on or after July 1, 2018, if the court does not impose a prison sentence, the court shall impose a mandatory minimum term of community control, as defined in s. 948.001, as follows:
1. For a first offense, a mandatory minimum term of 6 months with electronic monitoring.
2. For a second offense, a mandatory minimum term of 1 year with electronic monitoring.
3. For a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of 2 years with electronic monitoring.
(c) A sexual offender who commits any act or omission in violation of this section may be prosecuted for the act or omission in the county in which the act or omission was committed, in the county of the last registered address of the sexual offender, in the county in which the conviction occurred for the offense or offenses that meet the criteria for designating a person as a sexual offender, in the county where the sexual offender was released from incarceration, or in the county of the intended address of the sexual offender as reported by the offender prior to his or her release from incarceration.
(d) An arrest on charges of failure to register when the offender has been provided and advised of his or her statutory obligations to register under subsection (2), the service of an information or a complaint for a violation of this section, or an arraignment on charges for a violation of this section constitutes actual notice of the duty to register. A sexual offender’s failure to immediately register as required by this section following such arrest, service, or arraignment constitutes grounds for a subsequent charge of failure to register. A sexual offender charged with the crime of failure to register who asserts, or intends to assert, a lack of notice of the duty to register as a defense to a charge of failure to register shall immediately register as required by this section. A sexual offender who is charged with a subsequent failure to register may not assert the defense of a lack of notice of the duty to register. Registration following such arrest, service, or arraignment is not a defense and does not relieve the sexual offender of criminal liability for the failure to register.
(10) The department, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, any law enforcement agency in this state, and the personnel of those departments; an elected or appointed official, public employee, or school administrator; or an employee, agency, or any individual or entity acting at the request or upon the direction of any law enforcement agency is immune from civil liability for damages for good faith compliance with the requirements of this section or for the release of information under this section, and shall be presumed to have acted in good faith in compiling, recording, reporting, or releasing the 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 Department of Juvenile Justice, 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, temporary, or transient residence.
(11) Except as provided in s. 943.04354, a sexual offender shall maintain registration with the department for the duration of his or her life unless the sexual offender has received a full pardon or has had a conviction set aside in a postconviction proceeding for any offense that meets the criteria for classifying the person as a sexual offender for purposes of registration. However, a sexual offender shall be considered for removal of the requirement to register as a sexual offender only if the person:
(a)1. Has been lawfully released from confinement, supervision, or sanction, whichever is later, for at least 25 years and has not been arrested for any felony or misdemeanor offense since release, provided that the sexual offender’s requirement to register was not based upon an adult conviction:
a. For a violation of s. 787.01 or s. 787.02;
b. For a violation of s. 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10);
c. For a violation of s. 800.04(4)(a)2. where the court finds the offense involved a victim under 12 years of age or sexual activity by the use of force or coercion;
d. For a violation of s. 800.04(5)(b);
e. For a violation of s. 800.04(5)(c)2. where the court finds the offense involved the use of force or coercion and unclothed genitals or genital area;
f. For a violation of s. 825.1025(2)(a);
g. For any attempt or conspiracy to commit any such offense;
h. For a violation of similar law of another jurisdiction; or
i. For a violation of a similar offense committed in this state which has been redesignated from a former statute number to one of those listed in this subparagraph.
2. If the sexual offender meets the criteria in subparagraph 1., the sexual offender may, for the purpose of removing the requirement for registration as a sexual offender, petition the criminal division of the circuit court of the circuit:
a. Where the conviction or adjudication occurred, for a conviction in this state;
b. Where the sexual offender resides, for a conviction of a violation of similar law of another jurisdiction; or
c. Where the sexual offender last resided, for a sexual offender with a conviction of a violation of similar law of another jurisdiction who no longer resides in this state.
3. The court may grant or deny 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 the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 and any other federal standards applicable to the removal of registration requirements for a sexual offender or required to be met as a condition for the receipt of federal funds by the state; and the court is otherwise satisfied that the offender is not a current or potential threat to public safety. The department and 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 department and 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.
4. 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.
(b) Maintains registration with the department as described in sub-subparagraph (1)(h)1.b. for the duration of his or her life until the person provides the department with an order issued by the court that designated the person as a sexual predator, as a sexually violent predator, or any other sexual offender designation in the state or jurisdiction in which the order was issued which states that such designation has been removed or demonstrates to the department that such designation, if not imposed by a court, has been removed by operation of law or court order in the state or jurisdiction in which the designation was made, provided that such person no longer meets the criteria for registration as a sexual offender under the laws of this state. To qualify for removal of the registration requirements under this paragraph, a sexual offender described in sub-subparagraph (1)(h)1.b. must establish that his or her designation has been removed and establish that he or she does not meet the criteria for registration under any other sub-subparagraph under subparagraph (1)(h)1.
(12) The Legislature finds that sexual offenders, especially those who have committed offenses against minors, often pose a high risk of engaging in sexual offenses even after being released from incarceration or commitment and that protection of the public from sexual offenders is a paramount government interest. Sexual offenders have a reduced expectation of privacy because of the public’s interest in public safety and in the effective operation of government. Releasing information concerning sexual offenders to law enforcement agencies and to persons who request such information, and the release of such information to the public by a law enforcement agency or public agency, will further the governmental interests of public safety. The designation of a person as a sexual offender is not a sentence or a punishment but is simply the status of the offender which is the result of a conviction for having committed certain crimes.
(13) Any person who has reason to believe that a sexual offender is not complying, or has not complied, with the requirements of this section and who, with the intent to assist the sexual offender in eluding a law enforcement agency that is seeking to find the sexual offender to question the sexual offender about, or to arrest the sexual offender for, his or her noncompliance with the requirements of this section:
(a) Withholds information from, or does not notify, the law enforcement agency about the sexual offender’s noncompliance with the requirements of this section, and, if known, the whereabouts of the sexual offender;
(b) Harbors, or attempts to harbor, or assists another person in harboring or attempting to harbor, the sexual offender;
(c) Conceals or attempts to conceal, or assists another person in concealing or attempting to conceal, the sexual offender; or
(d) Provides information to the law enforcement agency regarding the sexual offender that the person knows to be false information,
commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(14)(a) A sexual offender must report in person each year during the month of the sexual offender’s birthday and during the sixth month following the sexual offender’s birth month to the sheriff’s office in the county in which he or she resides or is otherwise located to reregister.
(b) However, a sexual offender who is required to register as a result of a conviction for:
1. Section 787.01 or s. 787.02 where the victim is a minor;
2. Section 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10);
3. Section 800.04(4)(a)2. where the court finds the offense involved a victim under 12 years of age or sexual activity by the use of force or coercion;
4. Section 800.04(5)(b);
5. Section 800.04(5)(c)1. where the court finds molestation involving unclothed genitals or genital area;
6. Section 800.04(5)(c)2. where the court finds molestation involving the use of force or coercion and unclothed genitals or genital area;
7. Section 800.04(5)(d) where the court finds the use of force or coercion and unclothed genitals or genital area;
8. Section 825.1025(2)(a);
9. Any attempt or conspiracy to commit such offense;
10. A violation of a similar law of another jurisdiction; or
11. A violation of a similar offense committed in this state which has been redesignated from a former statute number to one of those listed in this paragraph,
must reregister each year during the month of the sexual offender’s birthday and every third month thereafter.
(c) The sheriff’s office may determine the appropriate times and days for reporting by the sexual offender, which must be consistent with the reporting requirements of this subsection. Reregistration must include any changes to the following information:
1. Name; social security number; age; race; sex; date of birth; height; weight; tattoos or other identifying marks; hair and eye color; address of any permanent residence and address of any current temporary residence, within this state or out of state, including a rural route address and a post office box; if he or she has no permanent or temporary address, any transient residence within this state; address, location or description, and dates of any current or known future temporary residence within this state or out of state; all electronic mail addresses or Internet identifiers and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name; all home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers; employment information; the make, model, color, vehicle identification number (VIN), and license tag number of all vehicles owned; fingerprints; palm prints; and photograph. A post office box may not be provided in lieu of a physical residential address. The sexual offender shall also produce his or her passport, if he or she has a passport, and, if he or she is an alien, shall produce or provide information about documents establishing his or her immigration status. The sexual offender shall also provide information about any professional licenses he or she has.
2. If the sexual offender is enrolled or employed, whether for compensation or as a volunteer, at an institution of higher education in this state, the sexual offender shall also provide to the department the name, address, and county of each institution, including each campus attended, and the sexual offender’s enrollment, volunteer, or employment status.
3. If the sexual offender’s place of residence is a motor vehicle, trailer, mobile home, or manufactured home, as those terms are defined in chapter 320, the sexual offender shall also provide the vehicle identification number (VIN); 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 those terms are defined in chapter 327, the sexual offender shall also provide the hull identification number; the manufacturer’s serial number; the name of the vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat; the registration number of the vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat; and a description, including color scheme, of the vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat.
(d) The sheriff’s office shall electronically submit to and update with the department, in a manner prescribed by the department, all such information within 2 business days after the sexual offender provides it to the sheriff’s office.
History.—s. 8, ch. 97-299; s. 7, ch. 98-81; s. 114, ch. 99-3; s. 3, ch. 2000-207; s. 3, ch. 2000-246; s. 3, ch. 2002-58; s. 2, ch. 2004-371; s. 9, ch. 2005-28; s. 3, ch. 2006-200; s. 4, ch. 2006-299; s. 159, ch. 2007-5; s. 10, ch. 2007-143; s. 4, ch. 2007-207; s. 2, ch. 2007-209; s. 3, ch. 2009-194; s. 4, ch. 2010-92; s. 4, ch. 2012-19; s. 11, ch. 2012-97; s. 11, ch. 2013-116; s. 10, ch. 2014-4; s. 5, ch. 2014-5; s. 26, ch. 2014-160; s. 99, ch. 2015-2; ss. 10, 51, ch. 2016-24; s. 3, ch. 2016-104; s. 2, ch. 2017-170; s. 2, ch. 2018-105; s. 2, ch. 2021-156; s. 8, ch. 2021-189; s. 2, ch. 2024-73; s. 14, ch. 2024-84.
1Note.—Section 1, ch. 2021-156, provides:
“The Legislature finds that the opinion in State v. James, 298 So. 3d 90 (Fla. 2d DCA 2020), is contrary to legislative intent and that a person’s failure to pay a fine does not relieve him or her of the requirement to register as a sexual offender pursuant to s. 943.0435, Florida Statutes. The Legislature intends that a person must register as a sexual offender pursuant to s. 943.0435, Florida Statutes, when he or she has been convicted of a qualifying offense and, on or after October 1, 1997, has:
“(1) No sanction imposed upon conviction; or
“(2) Been released from a sanction imposed upon conviction.”
943.04351 Search of registration information regarding sexual predators and sexual offenders required before appointment or employment.—A state agency or governmental subdivision, before making any decision to appoint or employ a person to work, whether for compensation or as a volunteer, at any park, playground, day care center, or other place where children regularly congregate, must conduct a search of that person’s name or other identifying information against the registration information regarding sexual predators and sexual offenders through the Dru Sjodin National Sexual Offender Public Website maintained by the United States Department of Justice. If for any reason that site is not available, a search of the registration information regarding sexual predators and sexual offenders maintained by the Department of Law Enforcement under s. 943.043 shall be performed. This section does not apply to those positions or appointments within a state agency or governmental subdivision for which a state and national criminal history background check is conducted.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2004-81; s. 12, ch. 2013-116.
943.04352 Search of registration information regarding sexual predators and sexual offenders required when placement on misdemeanor probation.—When the court places a defendant on misdemeanor probation pursuant to ss. 948.01 and 948.15, the public or private entity providing probation services must conduct a search of the probationer’s name or other identifying information against the registration information regarding sexual predators and sexual offenders maintained by the Department of Law Enforcement under s. 943.043. The probation services provider may conduct the search using the Internet site maintained by the Department of Law Enforcement. Also, a national search must be conducted through the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website maintained by the United States Department of Justice.
History.—s. 10, ch. 2005-28; s. 5, ch. 2010-92.
943.04353 Triennial study of sexual predator and sexual offender registration and notification procedures.—The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall, every 3 years, perform a study of the effectiveness of Florida’s sexual predator and sexual offender registration process and community and public notification provisions. As part of determining the effectiveness of the registration process, OPPAGA shall examine the current practices of: the Department of Corrections, county probation offices, clerk of courts, court administrators, county jails and booking facilities, Department of Children and Families, judges, state attorneys’ offices, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Department of Law Enforcement, and local law enforcement agencies as they relate to: sharing of offender information regarding registered sexual predators and sexual offenders for purposes of fulfilling the requirements set forth in the registration laws; ensuring the most accurate, current, and comprehensive information is provided in a timely manner to the registry; ensuring the effective supervision and subsequent monitoring of sexual predators and offenders; and ensuring informed decisions are made at each point of the criminal justice and registration process. In addition to determining the effectiveness of the registration process, the report shall focus on the question of whether the notification provisions in statute are sufficient to apprise communities of the presence of sexual predators and sexual offenders. The report shall examine how local law enforcement agencies collect and disseminate information in an effort to notify the public and communities of the presence of sexual predators and offenders. If the report finds deficiencies in the registration process, the notification provisions, or both, the report shall provide options for correcting those deficiencies and shall include the projected cost of implementing those options. In conducting the study, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall consult with the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence and the Florida Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers in addition to other interested entities that may offer experiences and perspectives unique to this area of research. The report shall be submitted to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by January 1, 2006.
History.—s. 23, ch. 2005-28; s. 114, ch. 2006-1; s. 316, ch. 2014-19.
943.04354 Removal of the requirement to register as a sexual offender or sexual predator in special circumstances.—
(1) For purposes of this section, a person shall be considered for removal of the requirement to register as a sexual offender or sexual predator only if the person:
(a) Was convicted, regardless of adjudication, or adjudicated delinquent of a violation of s. 800.04, s. 827.071, or s. 847.0135(5) or of a similar offense in another jurisdiction and if the person does not have any other conviction, regardless of adjudication, or adjudication of delinquency for a violation of s. 794.011, s. 800.04, s. 827.071, or s. 847.0135(5) or for a similar offense in another jurisdiction;
(b)1. Was convicted, regardless of adjudication, or adjudicated delinquent of an offense listed in paragraph (a) and is required to register as a sexual offender or sexual predator solely on the basis of this conviction or adjudication; or
2. Was convicted, regardless of adjudication, or adjudicated delinquent of an offense in another jurisdiction which is similar to an offense listed in paragraph (a) and no longer meets the criteria for registration as a sexual offender or sexual predator under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the similar offense occurred; and
(c) Is not more than 4 years older than the victim of this violation who was 13 years of age or older but younger than 18 years of age at the time the person committed this violation.
(2)(a) If a person meets the criteria in subsection (1), the person may, for the purpose of removing the requirement that he or she register as a sexual offender or sexual predator, move the criminal division of the circuit court of the circuit:
1. Where the conviction or adjudication for the qualifying offense occurred for a conviction in this state;
2. Where the sexual offender or sexual predator resides for a conviction for a violation of similar law of another jurisdiction; or
3. Where the sexual offender or sexual predator last resided for a sexual offender or sexual predator with a conviction of a violation of a similar law of another jurisdiction who no longer resides in this state.
(b) The person must allege in the motion that he or she meets the criteria in subsection (1) and that removal of the registration requirement will not conflict with federal law that requires that the sexual act be consensual, notwithstanding the age of the victim. A person convicted or adjudicated delinquent of an offense in another jurisdiction which is similar to an offense listed in paragraph (1)(a) must provide the court written confirmation that he or she is not required to register in the jurisdiction in which the conviction or adjudication occurred. The state attorney and the department must be given notice of the motion at least 21 days before the date of sentencing, disposition of the violation, or hearing on the motion and may present evidence in opposition to the requested relief or may otherwise demonstrate why the motion should be denied. At sentencing, disposition of the violation, or hearing on the motion, the court shall rule on the motion, and, if the court determines the person meets the criteria in subsection (1) and the removal of the registration requirement will not conflict with federal law that requires that the sexual act be consensual, notwithstanding the age of the victim, it may grant the motion and order the removal of the registration requirement. The court shall instruct the person to provide the department a certified copy of the order granting relief. If the court denies the motion, the person is not authorized under this section to file another motion for removal of the registration requirement.
(3) If a person provides to the Department of Law Enforcement a certified copy of the court’s order removing the requirement that the person register as a sexual offender or sexual predator for the violation of s. 794.011, s. 800.04, s. 827.071, or s. 847.0135(5), or a similar offense in another jurisdiction, the registration requirement will not apply to the person and the department shall remove all information about the person from the public registry of sexual offenders and sexual predators maintained by the department. However, the removal of this information from the public registry does not mean that the public is denied access to information about the person’s criminal history or record that is otherwise available as a public record.
History.—s. 3, ch. 2007-209; s. 26, ch. 2008-172; s. 6, ch. 2010-92; s. 6, ch. 2014-5; s. 4, ch. 2016-104.
943.0436 Duty of the court to uphold laws governing sexual predators and sexual offenders.—
(1) The Legislature finds that, for the purpose of approving a plea agreement or for other reasons, certain courts enter orders that effectively limit or nullify requirements imposed upon sexual predators and sexual offenders pursuant to the laws of this state and prevent persons or entities from carrying out the duties imposed, or exercising the authority conferred, by such laws. The laws relating to sexual predators and sexual offenders are substantive law. Furthermore, the Congress of the United States has expressly encouraged every state to enact such laws, and has provided that, to the extent that a state’s laws do not meet certain federal requirements, the state will lose significant federal funding provided to the state for law enforcement and public safety programs. Unless a court that enters such an order determines that a person or entity is not operating in accordance with the laws governing sexual predators or sexual offenders, or that such laws or any part of such laws are unconstitutional or unconstitutionally applied, the court unlawfully encroaches on the Legislature’s exclusive power to make laws and places at risk significant public interests of the state.
(2) If a person meets the criteria in chapter 775 for designation as a sexual predator or meets the criteria in s. 943.0435, s. 944.606, s. 944.607, or any other law for classification as a sexual offender, the court may not enter an order, for the purpose of approving a plea agreement or for any other reason, which:
(a) Exempts a person who meets the criteria for designation as a sexual predator or classification as a sexual offender from such designation or classification, or exempts such person from the requirements for registration or community and public notification imposed upon sexual predators and sexual offenders;
(b) Restricts the compiling, reporting, or release of public records information that relates to sexual predators or sexual offenders; or
(c) Prevents any person or entity from performing its duties or operating within its statutorily conferred authority as such duty or authority relates to sexual predators or sexual offenders.
(3) If the court enters an order that affects an agency’s performance of a duty imposed under the laws governing sexual predators or sexual offenders, or that limits the agency’s exercise of authority conferred under such laws, the Legislature strongly encourages the affected agency to file a motion in the court that entered such order. The affected agency may, within 1 year after the receipt of any such order, move to modify or set aside the order or, if such order is in the nature of an injunction, move to dissolve the injunction. Grounds for granting any such motion include, but need not be limited to:
(a) The affected agency was not properly noticed.
(b) The court is not authorized to enjoin the operation of a statute that has been duly adjudged constitutional and operative unless the statute is illegally applied or unless the statute or the challenged part of it is unconstitutional on adjudicated grounds.
(c) Jurisdiction may not be conferred by consent of the parties.
(d) To the extent that the order is based upon actions the agency might take, the court’s order is premature and, if and when such actions are taken, these actions may be challenged in appropriate proceedings to determine their enforceability.
(e) The injunction affects the public interest and would cause injury to the public.
(f) The order creates an unenforceable, perpetual injunction.
(g) The order seeks to restrict the agency in the performance of its duties outside the court’s territorial jurisdiction.
History.—s. 4, ch. 2002-58; s. 6, ch. 2004-371; s. 68, ch. 2016-24; s. 23, ch. 2021-156.
943.0437 Commercial social networking websites.—
(1) For the purpose of this section, the term “commercial social networking website” means a commercially operated Internet website that allows users to create web pages or profiles that provide information about themselves and are available publicly or to other users and that offers a mechanism for communication with other users, such as a forum, chat room, electronic mail, or instant messenger.
(2) The department may provide information relating to electronic mail addresses and Internet identifiers, as defined in s. 775.21, maintained as part of the sexual offender registry to commercial social networking websites or third parties designated by commercial social networking websites. The commercial social networking website may use this information for the purpose of comparing registered users and screening potential users of the commercial social networking website against the list of electronic mail addresses and Internet identifiers provided by the department.
(3) This section does not impose any civil liability on a commercial social networking website for:
(a) Any action voluntarily taken in good faith to remove or disable any profile of a registered user associated with an electronic mail address or Internet identifier contained in the sexual offender registry.
(b) Any action taken to restrict access by such registered user to the commercial social networking website.
History.—s. 14, ch. 2007-143; s. 7, ch. 2014-5; s. 3, ch. 2017-170.
943.0438 Athletic coaches for independent sanctioning authorities.—
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Athletic coach” means a person who:
1. Is authorized by an independent sanctioning authority to work as a coach, assistant coach, manager, or referee, whether for compensation or as a volunteer, for a youth athletic team based in this state; and
2. Has direct contact with one or more minors on the youth athletic team.
(b) “Independent sanctioning authority” means a private, nongovernmental entity that organizes, operates, or coordinates a youth athletic team in this state if the team includes one or more minors and is not affiliated with a private school as defined in s. 1002.01.
(2) An independent sanctioning authority shall:
(a) Effective January 1, 2025, conduct a level 2 background screening under s. 435.04 of each current and prospective athletic coach. The authority may not delegate this responsibility to an individual team and may not authorize any person to act as an athletic coach unless a level 2 background screening is conducted and does not result in disqualification under paragraph (b).
(b)1. Before January 1, 2026, or a later date as determined by the Agency for Health Care Administration for the participation of qualified entities in the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse under s. 435.12, disqualify any person from acting as an athletic coach as provided in s. 435.04. The authority may allow a person disqualified under this subparagraph to act as an athletic coach if it determines that the person meets the requirements for an exemption from disqualification under s. 435.07.
2. On or after January 1, 2026, or a later date as determined by the Agency for Health Care Administration, not allow any person to act as an athletic coach if he or she does not pass the background screening qualifications in s. 435.04. The authority may allow a person disqualified under this subparagraph to act as an athletic coach if the person has successfully completed the exemption from the disqualification process under s. 435.07.
(c) Provide, within 7 business days following the background screening under paragraph (a), written notice to a person disqualified under this section advising the person of the results and of his or her disqualification.
(d) Maintain for at least 5 years documentation of:
1. The results for each person screened under paragraph (a); and
2. The written notice of disqualification provided to each person under paragraph (c).
(e) Adopt guidelines to educate athletic coaches, officials, administrators, and youth athletes and their parents or guardians of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury.
(f) Adopt bylaws or policies that require the parent or guardian of a youth who is participating in athletic competition or who is a candidate for an athletic team to sign and return an informed consent that explains the nature and risk of concussion and head injury, including the risk of continuing to play after concussion or head injury, each year before participating in athletic competition or engaging in any practice, tryout, workout, or other physical activity associated with the youth’s candidacy for an athletic team.
(g) Adopt bylaws or policies that require each youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or competition to be immediately removed from the activity. A youth athlete who has been removed from an activity may not return to practice or competition until the youth submits to the athletic coach a written medical clearance to return stating that the youth athlete no longer exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion or other head injury. Medical clearance must be authorized by the appropriate health care practitioner trained in the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of concussions as defined by the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee of the Florida High School Athletic Association.
(3) In a civil action for the death of, or injury or damage to, a third person caused by the intentional tort of an athletic coach that relates to alleged sexual misconduct by the athletic coach, there is a rebuttable presumption that the independent sanctioning authority was not negligent in authorizing the athletic coach if the authority complied with the background screening and disqualification requirements of subsection (2) prior to such authorization.
(4) Independent sanctioning authorities for youth athletic teams must participate in the Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System, as authorized by the National Child Protection Act of 1993 and s. 943.0542.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2010-94; s. 1, ch. 2012-167; s. 13, ch. 2013-116; s. 1, ch. 2014-9; s. 5, ch. 2023-220; s. 5, ch. 2024-243.
943.0439 Interviews of victims, suspects, or defendants with autism or an autism spectrum disorder.—
(1) A law enforcement officer, a correctional officer, or another public safety official shall, upon the request of an individual diagnosed with autism or an autism spectrum disorder or his or her parent or guardian, make a good faith effort to ensure that a psychiatrist, psychologist, mental health counselor, special education instructor, clinical social worker, or related professional is present at all interviews of the individual. The professional must have experience treating, teaching, or assisting patients or clients who have been diagnosed with autism or an autism spectrum disorder or related developmental disability or must be certified in special education with a concentration focused on persons with autism or an autism spectrum disorder. All expenses related to the attendance of the professional at interviews shall be borne by the requesting parent, guardian, or individual. If the individual is a victim, the defendant shall reimburse the victim for all expenses related to the attendance of the professional at the interview, in addition to other restitution or penalties provided by law, upon conviction of the offense of which the individual is a victim. Failure to have a professional as defined by this subsection present at the time of the interview is not a basis for suppression of the statement or the contents of the interview or for a cause of action against the law enforcement officer or agency. This subsection applies to such an individual who is the victim, a suspect, or a defendant formally accused of a crime.
(2) Each law enforcement agency must ensure that appropriate policies are developed which implement this section and that training is provided to its law enforcement and correctional officers based on those policies.
History.—s. 4, ch. 2016-175.
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) “Adjudicated guilty” means that a person has been found guilty and that the court has not withheld an adjudication of guilt.
(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) “Biometric” refers to impressions, reproductions, or representations of human physical characteristics, such as DNA, fingerprints, palm prints, footprints, retina and iris images, voice patterns, and facial images, such as booking and driver license photographs, that, when measured and analyzed, can be used for identification purposes.
(4) “Comparable ordinance violation” means a violation of an ordinance having all the essential elements of a statutory misdemeanor or felony.
(5) “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 biometric records, if the information does not indicate involvement of the person in the criminal justice system.
(6) “Criminal history record” means any nonjudicial record maintained by a criminal justice agency containing criminal history information.
(7) “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.
(8) “Criminal intelligence information system” means a system, including the equipment, facilities, procedures, agreements, and organizations thereof, for the collection, processing, preservation, or dissemination of criminal intelligence information.
(9) “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.
(10) “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.
(11) “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 Families, which investigates the crimes of abuse and neglect.
(e) Any other governmental agency or subunit thereof that performs the administration of criminal justice pursuant to a statute or rule of court and that allocates a substantial part of its annual budget to the administration of criminal justice.
(f) The investigations component of the Department of Financial Services which investigates the crimes of fraud and official misconduct in all public assistance given to residents of this state or provided to others by this state.
(12) “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, offender registration information, identification record information, and wanted persons record information. The term does not include statistical or analytical records or reports in which individuals are not identified and from which their identities are not ascertainable. The term does not include criminal intelligence information or criminal investigative information.
(13) “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.
(14) “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.
(15) “Disseminate” means to transmit information, whether orally or in writing.
(16) “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.
(17) “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.
(18) “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.
(19) “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.
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; s. 14, ch. 2013-116; s. 32, ch. 2021-113.
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; s. 8, ch. 2016-78.
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 biometric identification system capable of, but not limited to, reading, classifying, matching, and storing fingerprints, rolled fingerprints, latent fingerprints, palm prints, and facial images. Information contained within 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.
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 biometric 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. However, rules and forms prescribing uniform arrest or probable cause affidavits and alcohol influence reports to be used by all law enforcement agencies in making DUI arrests under s. 316.193 shall be adopted and used by all law enforcement agencies in this state. Failure to use these uniform affidavits and reports, however, shall not prohibit prosecution under s. 316.193.
(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, injunctions to prevent child abuse issued under chapter 39, 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.
(g) Upon official written request, and subject to the department having sufficient funds and equipment to participate in such a request, from the agency executive director or secretary or from his or her designee, or from qualified entities participating in the volunteer and employee criminal history screening system under s. 943.0542, or as otherwise required by law, retain fingerprints submitted by criminal and noncriminal justice agencies to the department for a criminal history background screening as provided by rule and enter the fingerprints in the statewide automated biometric identification system authorized by paragraph (b). Such fingerprints shall thereafter be available for all purposes and uses authorized for arrest fingerprint submissions entered into the statewide automated biometric identification system pursuant to s. 943.051.
(h) For each specified agency, as defined in s. 435.02, each qualified entity participating in the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse under s. 435.12, or any other agency or qualified entity that officially requests retention of fingerprints or for which retention is otherwise required by law, search all arrest fingerprint submissions received under s. 943.051 against the fingerprints retained in the statewide automated biometric identification system under paragraph (g).
1. Any arrest record that is identified with the retained fingerprints of a person subject to background screening as provided in paragraph (g) must be reported to the appropriate agency or qualified entity.
2. To participate in this search process, agencies or qualified entities must notify each person fingerprinted that his or her fingerprints will be retained, pay an annual fee to the department unless otherwise provided by law, and inform the department of any change in the affiliation, employment, or contractual status of each person whose fingerprints are retained under paragraph (g) if such change removes or eliminates the agency or qualified entity’s basis or need for receiving reports of any arrest of that person, so that the agency or qualified entity is not obligated to pay the upcoming annual fee for the retention and searching of that person’s fingerprints to the department. The department shall adopt a rule setting the amount of the annual fee to be imposed upon each participating agency or qualified entity for performing these searches and establishing the procedures for the retention of fingerprints and the dissemination of search results. The fee may be borne by the agency, qualified entity, or person subject to fingerprint retention or as otherwise provided by law. Consistent with the recognition of criminal justice agencies expressed in s. 943.053(3), these services must be provided to criminal justice agencies for criminal justice purposes free of charge. Qualified entities that elect to participate in the fingerprint retention and search process are required to timely remit the fee to the department by a payment mechanism approved by the department. If requested by the qualified entity, and with the approval of the department, such fees may be timely remitted to the department by a qualified entity upon receipt of an invoice for such fees from the department. Failure of a qualified entity to pay the amount due on a timely basis or as invoiced by the department may result in the refusal by the department to permit the qualified entity to continue to participate in the fingerprint retention and search process until all fees due and owing are paid.
3. Agencies that participate in the fingerprint retention and search process may adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to require employers to keep the agency informed of any change in the affiliation, employment, or contractual status of each person whose fingerprints are retained under paragraph (g) if such change removes or eliminates the agency’s basis or need for receiving reports of any arrest of that person, so that the agency is not obligated to pay the upcoming annual fee for the retention and searching of that person’s fingerprints to the department.
(i) Develop, for federal approval, a method for identifying or verifying a person through automated biometrics.
(3) If fingerprints submitted to the department for background screening, whether retained or not retained, are identified with the fingerprints of a person having a criminal history record, such fingerprints may thereafter be available for all purposes and uses authorized for arrest fingerprints, including, but not limited to, entry into the statewide automated biometric identification system to augment or replace the fingerprints that identify the criminal history record.
(4) Upon notification that a federal fingerprint retention program is in effect, and subject to the department being funded and equipped to participate in such a program, the department shall, if state and national criminal history records checks and retention of submitted prints are authorized or required by law, retain the fingerprints as provided in paragraphs (2)(g) and (h) and advise the Federal Bureau of Investigation to retain the fingerprints at the national level for searching against arrest fingerprint submissions received at the national level.
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; s. 12, ch. 2002-263; s. 8, ch. 2006-176; s. 1, ch. 2008-249; s. 2, ch. 2010-62; s. 45, ch. 2010-114; s. 15, ch. 2012-73; s. 15, ch. 2013-116; s. 9, ch. 2016-78; s. 6, ch. 2023-220.
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) The fingerprints, palm prints, and facial images of 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 captured and electronically 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) The fingerprints, palm prints, and facial images of 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 captured and electronically 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 electronically to the department, unless the minor is issued a prearrest delinquency citation pursuant to s. 985.12:
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(2).
4. Unlawful use of destructive devices or bombs, as defined in s. 790.1615(1).
5. Neglect of a child, as defined in s. 827.03(1)(e).
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 of a weapon or firearm at a school-sponsored event or on school property, as provided 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; s. 11, ch. 2000-155; s. 2, ch. 2002-51; s. 6, ch. 2007-112; s. 32, ch. 2010-117; s. 16, ch. 2013-116; s. 2, ch. 2015-46; s. 32, ch. 2023-18; s. 24, ch. 2024-130.
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 maximum-risk residential facility 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)1. If the minor is not classified as a serious or habitual juvenile offender or committed to a maximum-risk residential facility under chapter 985, the program shall retain the minor’s criminal history record for 2 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 minor described in subparagraph 1. may apply to the department to have his or her criminal history record expunged before the minor reaches 21 years of age. To be eligible for expunction under this subparagraph, the minor must be 18 years of age or older and less than 21 years of age and have not been charged by the state attorney with or found to have committed any criminal offense within the 5-year period before the application date. The only offenses eligible to be expunged under this subparagraph are those that the minor committed before the minor reached 18 years of age. A criminal history record expunged under this subparagraph requires the approval of the state attorney for each circuit in which an offense specified in the criminal history record occurred. A minor seeking to expunge a criminal history record under this subparagraph shall apply to the department for expunction in the manner prescribed by rule. An application for expunction under this subparagraph shall include:
a. A processing fee of $75 to the department for placement in the Department of Law Enforcement Operating Trust Fund, unless such fee is waived by the executive director.
b. A full set of fingerprints of the applicant taken by a law enforcement agency for purposes of identity verification.
c. A sworn, written statement from the minor seeking relief that he or she is no longer under court supervision applicable to the disposition of the arrest or alleged criminal activity to which the application to expunge pertains and that he or she has not been charged with or found to have committed a criminal offense, in any jurisdiction of the state or within the United States, within the 5-year period before the application date. A person who knowingly provides false information on the sworn statement required by this sub-subparagraph commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
3. A minor who applies, but who is not approved for early expunction in accordance with subparagraph 2., shall have his or her criminal history record expunged at age 21 if eligible under subparagraph 1.
(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.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Criminal Justice Information Program shall retain the criminal history record of a minor adjudicated delinquent for a violation committed on or after July 1, 2007, as provided in s. 943.0435(1)(h)1.d. Such records may not be destroyed and must be merged with the person’s adult criminal history record and retained as a part of the person’s adult record.
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; s. 5, ch. 2007-209; s. 2, ch. 2016-42; s. 11, ch. 2016-104; s. 6, ch. 2024-133.
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 with submitted arrest information and fingerprints 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 must be submitted at least once a month in an automated format acceptable to the program. The disposition report is mandatory for each disposition relating to an adult offender and, beginning July 1, 2008, for dispositions relating to minor offenders.
(3)(a) The Department of Corrections shall submit fingerprints, palm prints, and facial images to the program relating to the receipt of any person who is sentenced to a state correctional institution.
(b) The Department of Juvenile Justice shall submit fingerprints, palm prints, and facial images to the program relating to the receipt 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; s. 6, ch. 2006-176; s. 17, ch. 2013-116.
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 rules instituted by the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact, as approved and ratified in s. 943.0543, or with other applicable laws or rules.
(3)(a) Criminal history information relating to an adult, 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. After providing the program with all known personal identifying information, persons in the private sector and noncriminal justice agencies may be provided criminal history information upon tender of fees as established in this subsection and in the manner prescribed by rule of the Department of Law Enforcement.
(b) Criminal history information relating to a juvenile compiled by the Criminal Justice Information Program from intrastate sources shall be released as provided in this section. Such information is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution, unless such juvenile has been:
1. Taken into custody by a law enforcement officer for a violation of law which, if committed by an adult, would be a felony;
2. Charged with a violation of law which, if committed by an adult, would be a felony;
3. Found to have committed an offense which, if committed by an adult, would be a felony; or
4. Transferred to adult court pursuant to part X of chapter 985,
and provided the criminal history record has not been expunged or sealed under any law applicable to such record.
(c)1. Criminal history information relating to juveniles, including criminal history information consisting in whole or in part of information that is confidential and exempt under paragraph (b), shall be available to:
a. A criminal justice agency for criminal justice purposes on a priority basis and free of charge;
b. The person to whom the record relates, or his or her attorney;
c. The parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the person to whom the record relates, provided such person has not reached the age of majority, been emancipated by a court, or been legally married; or
d. An agency or entity specified in s. 943.0585(6) or s. 943.059(6), for the purposes specified therein, and to any person within such agency or entity who has direct responsibility for employment, access authorization, or licensure decisions.
2. After providing the program with all known personal identifying information, the criminal history information relating to a juvenile which is not confidential and exempt under this subsection may be released to the private sector and noncriminal justice agencies not specified in s. 943.0585(6) or s. 943.059(6) in the same manner as provided in paragraph (a). Criminal history information relating to a juvenile which is not confidential and exempt under this subsection is the entire criminal history information relating to a juvenile who satisfies any of the criteria listed in subparagraphs (b)1.-4., except for any portion of such juvenile’s criminal history record which has been expunged or sealed under any law applicable to such record.
3. All criminal history information relating to juveniles, other than that provided to criminal justice agencies for criminal justice purposes, shall be provided upon tender of fees as established in this subsection and in the manner prescribed by rule of the Department of Law Enforcement.
(d) The fee for access to criminal history information by the private sector or a noncriminal justice agency shall be assessed without regard to the size or category of criminal history record information requested.
(e) The fee per record for criminal history information provided pursuant to this subsection and s. 943.0542 is $24 per name submitted, except that the fee for the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office and vendors of the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and the Department of Elderly Affairs is $8 for each name submitted; the fee for a state criminal history provided for application processing as required by law to be performed by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is $15 for each name submitted; and the fee for requests under s. 943.0542, which implements the National Child Protection Act, is $18 for each volunteer name submitted. An office of the public defender or an office of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel may not be assessed a fee for Florida criminal history information or wanted person information.
(4) Criminal justice information provided by the Department of Law Enforcement shall be used only for the purpose stated in the request.
(5) 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 shall make online access to Florida criminal justice information available to each judge in the state courts system for the purpose of assisting judges in their case-related decisionmaking responsibilities. Such online access shall be provided without charge to the state courts system. Sealed records received by the courts under this section remain confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1). The information provided pursuant to this section shall not take the place of any information required to be provided to the courts by any other agency or entity. Information provided under this section shall be used only for the official court business for which it was requested and may not be further disseminated.
(6) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department shall provide to the Department of Revenue access to Florida criminal history records that 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 support, as defined in s. 409.2554, 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.
(7) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department shall provide to each office of the public defender and each office of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel online 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, a criminal conflict and civil regional counsel as provided in s. 27.511, or 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 online access must be borne by the office to which the access has been provided.
(8) Notwithstanding s. 943.0525, and any user agreements adopted pursuant thereto, and notwithstanding the confidentiality of sealed records as provided for in s. 943.059 and juvenile records as provided for in paragraph (3)(b), the sheriff of any county that has contracted with a private entity to operate a county detention facility pursuant to 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 chapter 119. Sealed records and confidential juvenile records received by the private entity under this section remain confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1).
(9) Notwithstanding s. 943.0525, and any user agreements adopted pursuant thereto, and notwithstanding the confidentiality of sealed records as provided for in s. 943.059 and juvenile records as provided for in paragraph (3)(b), 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 s. 944.105. The department may assess a charge for the Florida criminal history records pursuant to chapter 119. Sealed records and confidential juvenile records received by the private entity under this section remain confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1).
(10) Notwithstanding s. 943.0525 and any user agreements adopted pursuant thereto, and notwithstanding the confidentiality of sealed records as provided for in s. 943.059 or of juvenile records as provided for in paragraph (3)(b), 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 s. 985.688. The criminal justice agency providing such data may assess a charge for the Florida criminal history records pursuant to chapter 119. Sealed records and confidential juvenile records received by the private entity under this section remain confidential and exempt from 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.
(11) A criminal justice agency that is authorized under federal rules or law to conduct a criminal history background check on an agency employee who is not certified by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission under s. 943.12 may submit to the department the fingerprints of the noncertified employee to obtain state and national criminal history information. The fingerprints shall be retained and entered in the statewide automated biometric identification system authorized by s. 943.05 and shall be available for all purposes and uses authorized for arrest fingerprint submissions entered in the statewide automated biometric identification system pursuant to s. 943.051. The department shall search all arrest fingerprint submissions received pursuant to s. 943.051 against the fingerprints retained in the statewide automated biometric identification system pursuant to this section. In addition to all purposes and uses authorized for arrest fingerprint submissions for which submitted fingerprints may be used, any arrest record that is identified with the retained employee fingerprints must be reported to the submitting employing agency.
(12) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when a criminal history check or a duty to disclose the absence of a criminal history check is mandated by state law, or when a privilege or benefit is conferred by state law in return for exercising an option of conducting a criminal history check, the referenced criminal history check, whether it is an initial or renewal check, shall include a Florida criminal history provided by the department as set forth in this section. Such Florida criminal history information may be provided by a private vendor only if that information is directly obtained from the department for each request. When a national criminal history check is required or authorized by state law, the national criminal history check shall be submitted by and through the department in the manner established by the department for such checks, unless otherwise required by federal law. The fee for criminal history information as established by state law or, in the case of national checks, by the Federal Government, shall be borne by the person or entity submitting the request, or as provided by law. Criminal history information provided by any other governmental entity of this state or any private entity shall not be substituted for criminal history information provided by the department when the criminal history check or a duty to disclose the absence of a criminal history check is required by statute or is made a condition of a privilege or benefit by law. When fingerprints are required or permitted to be used as a basis for identification in conducting such a criminal history check, the fingerprints must be taken by a law enforcement agency employee, a government agency employee, a qualified electronic fingerprint service provider, or a private employer. Fingerprints taken by the subject of the criminal history check may not be accepted or used for the purpose of identification in conducting the criminal history check.
(13)(a) For the department to accept an electronic fingerprint submission from:
1. A private vendor engaged in the business of providing electronic fingerprint submission; or
2. A private entity or public agency that submits the fingerprints of its own employees, volunteers, contractors, associates, or applicants for the purpose of conducting a required or permitted criminal history background check,
the vendor, entity, or agency submitting the fingerprints must enter into an agreement with the department that, at a minimum, obligates the vendor, entity, or agency to comply with certain specified standards to ensure that all persons having direct or indirect responsibility for verifying identification, taking fingerprints, and electronically submitting fingerprints are qualified to do so and will ensure the integrity and security of all personal information gathered from the persons whose fingerprints are submitted.
(b) Such standards shall include, but need not be limited to, requiring that:
1. All persons responsible for taking fingerprints and collecting personal identifying information from the persons being fingerprinted to meet current written state and federal guidelines for identity verification and for recording legible fingerprints;
2. The department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s technical standards for the electronic submission of fingerprints are satisfied;
3. The fingerprint images electronically submitted satisfy the department’s and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s quality standards; and
4. A person may not take his or her own fingerprints for submission to the department.
(c) The requirement for entering into an agreement with the department for this purpose does not apply to criminal justice agencies.
(d) The agreement with the department must require the vendor, entity, or agency to collect from the person or entity on whose behalf the fingerprints are submitted the fees prescribed by state and federal law for processing the fingerprints for a criminal history check. The agreement must provide that such fees be timely remitted to the department by a payment mechanism approved by the department. If requested by the vendor, entity, or agency, and with the approval of the department, such fees may be timely remitted to the department by a vendor, entity, or agency upon receipt of an invoice for such fees from the department. Failure of a vendor, entity, or agency to pay the amount due on a timely basis or as invoiced by the department may result in the refusal by the department to accept future fingerprint submissions until all fees due and owing are paid.
(14) Notwithstanding any other law, the department shall provide to the Sexually Violent Predator Program within the Department of Children and Families online access to the arrest notification program through the Florida Criminal Justice Network to be used solely in support of the duties of the Department of Children and Families as provided in s. 394.926(4).
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; s. 9, ch. 2001-127; s. 55, ch. 2001-158; s. 134, ch. 2003-402; s. 1, ch. 2003-403; s. 67, ch. 2004-267; s. 21, ch. 2006-2; s. 116, ch. 2006-120; s. 9, ch. 2006-176; s. 1, ch. 2008-112; s. 2, ch. 2008-249; s. 3, ch. 2010-62; s. 46, ch. 2010-114; s. 33, ch. 2010-117; s. 37, ch. 2010-162; s. 16, ch. 2012-73; s. 18, ch. 2013-116; s. 9, ch. 2014-2; s. 317, ch. 2014-19; s. 2, ch. 2016-78; s. 1, ch. 2016-162; s. 78, ch. 2019-167; s. 1, ch. 2021-118; s. 12, ch. 2022-195; s. 44, ch. 2024-70.
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 convicted is an alien.
History.—s. 2, ch. 88-248; s. 4, ch. 96-312; s. 11, ch. 99-188; s. 12, ch. 2000-155.
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, including those instituted by the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact, 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.
(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; s. 19, ch. 2013-116.
943.0542 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 conducting background criminal history checks under this section must:
1. 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 shall periodically audit qualified entities to ensure compliance with federal law and this section.
2. Before January 1, 2026, or a later date as determined by the Agency for Health Care Administration, submit to the department, and effective January 1, 2026, or a later date as determined by the Agency for Health Care Administration, submit to the agency a request for screening an employee or volunteer or person applying to be an employee or volunteer by submitting fingerprints, or the request may be submitted electronically. The qualified entity must maintain a signed waiver allowing the release of the state and national criminal history record information to the qualified entity.
(b) Each request for screening must be accompanied by payment of a fee for a statewide criminal history check established by s. 943.053, plus the amount currently prescribed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the national criminal history check in compliance with the National Child Protection Act of 1993, as amended. Payments must be made in the manner prescribed by the department or agency by rule.
(c) 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.
(d) Effective January 1, 2026, or a later date as determined by the Agency for Health Care Administration, a qualified entity initiating a background criminal history check under this section must comply with s. 435.12, and all fingerprints received pursuant to this section must be entered into the clearinghouse as provided in s. 435.12.
(3) Through December 31, 2025, or a later date as determined by the Agency for Health Care Administration, 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. Effective January 1, 2026, or a later date as determined by the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse may provide such records to the qualified entity only if the person challenges the record as provided in this subsection.
(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. Through December 31, 2026, or a later date as determined by the Agency for Health Care Administration, 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. Effective January 1, 2026, or a later date as determined by the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse may provide such record information to the qualified entity only if the person requests an exemption from the qualified entity under s. 435.07.
(5) The entity making the determination regarding screening shall apply the criteria under s. 435.04(2) to the state and national criminal history record information received from the department for those persons subject to screening. The determination whether the criminal history record shows that the employee or volunteer has not been arrested for and is awaiting final disposition of, regardless of adjudication, or entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to, or has been adjudicated delinquent and the record has not been sealed or expunged for, any offense listed under s. 435.02(2) shall be made by the qualified entity through December 31, 2025, or a later date as determined by the Agency for Health Care Administration. Beginning January 1, 2026, or a later date as determined by the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Agency for Health Care Administration shall determine the eligibility of the employee or volunteer of a qualified entity. This section does not require the department to make such a determination on behalf of any qualified entity.
(6) The qualified entity or, effective January 1, 2026, or a later date as determined by the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse 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.
(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; s. 3, ch. 2008-249; s. 20, ch. 2013-116; s. 10, ch. 2016-78; s. 5, ch. 2016-162; s. 7, ch. 2023-220.
943.0543 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 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; s. 111, ch. 2013-18; s. 11, ch. 2016-78.
943.0544 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 intrastate network for agency information and data sharing 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; and 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) 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; s. 13, ch. 2000-155; s. 112, ch. 2013-18; s. 21, ch. 2013-116.
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 the user agreements in s. 943.0525.
(2) The Criminal Justice Information Program shall arrange for any audits of state and local criminal justice and noncriminal justice agencies necessary to ensure 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; s. 22, ch. 2013-116.
943.056 Criminal history records; access, review, and challenge.—
(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, including any portions of the record which may be confidential under s. 943.053(3)(b), 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 records to the corrected criminal history record information and shall request that the federal records be corrected.
(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; s. 23, ch. 2013-116; s. 4, ch. 2016-78.
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.
943.0578 Lawful self-defense expunction.—
(1) Notwithstanding the eligibility requirements defined in s. 943.0585(1) and (2), the department shall issue a certificate of eligibility for expunction under this section to a person who is the subject of a criminal history record if that person has obtained, and submitted to the department, on a form provided by the department, a written, certified statement from the appropriate state attorney or statewide prosecutor which states whether an information, indictment, or other charging document was not filed or was dismissed by the state attorney, or dismissed by the court, because it was found that the person acted in lawful self-defense pursuant to chapter 776.
(2) Each petition to expunge a criminal history record pursuant to this section must be accompanied by:
(a) A valid certificate of eligibility for expunction issued by the department pursuant to this section; and
(b) The petitioner’s sworn statement attesting that the petitioner is eligible for such an expunction to the best of his or her knowledge or belief.
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.
(3) This section does not confer any right to the expunction of a criminal history record, and any request for expunction of a criminal history record may be denied at the discretion of the court.
(4) Section 943.0585(5) and (6) apply to an expunction ordered under this section.
(5) The department shall adopt rules to establish procedures for applying for and issuing a certificate of eligibility for expunction under this section.
History.—s. 47, ch. 2019-167.
943.0581 Administrative expunction for arrests made contrary to law or by mistake.—
(1) Notwithstanding any law dealing generally with the preservation and destruction of public records, the department may adopt a rule 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.
(2) A law enforcement agency shall apply to the department in the manner prescribed by rule for the administrative expunction of any nonjudicial record of any arrest of a minor or an adult who is subsequently determined by the agency, at its discretion, or by the final order of a court of competent jurisdiction, to have been arrested contrary to law or by mistake.
(3) An adult or, in the case of a minor child, the parent or legal guardian of the minor child, may apply to the department in the manner prescribed by rule for the administrative expunction of any nonjudicial record of an arrest alleged to have been made contrary to law or by mistake, provided that the application is supported by the endorsement of the head of the arresting agency or his or her designee or the state attorney of the judicial circuit in which the arrest occurred or his or her designee.
(4) An application for administrative expunction shall include the date and time of the arrest, the name of the person arrested, the offender-based tracking system (OBTS) number, and the crime or crimes charged. The application shall be on the submitting agency’s letterhead and shall be signed by the head of the submitting agency or his or her designee.
(5) If the person was arrested on a warrant, capias, or pickup order, a request for an administrative expunction may be made by the sheriff of the county in which the warrant, capias, or pickup order was issued or his or her designee or by the state attorney of the judicial circuit in which the warrant, capias, or pickup order was issued or his or her designee.
(6) An application or endorsement under this section is not admissible as evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding and may not be construed in any way as an admission of liability in connection with an arrest.
History.—s. 2, ch. 92-73; s. 94, ch. 94-209; s. 1, ch. 2006-94; s. 4, ch. 2008-249; s. 34, ch. 2010-117; s. 48, ch. 2019-167.
943.0582 Diversion program expunction.—
(1) Notwithstanding any law dealing generally with the preservation and destruction of public records, the department shall adopt rules to provide for the expunction of a nonjudicial record of the arrest of a minor who has successfully completed a diversion program.
(2) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Diversion program” means a program under s. 985.12, s. 985.125, s. 985.155, or s. 985.16 or a program to which a referral is made by a state attorney under s. 985.15.
(b) “Expunction” has the same meaning ascribed in and effect as s. 943.0585, except that:
1. Section 943.0585(6)(b) does not apply, except that the criminal history record of a person whose record is expunged pursuant to this section shall be made available only to criminal justice agencies for the purpose of:
a. Determining eligibility for diversion programs;
b. A criminal investigation; or
c. Making a prosecutorial decision under s. 985.15.
2. Records maintained by local criminal justice agencies in the county in which the arrest occurred that are eligible for expunction pursuant to this section shall be sealed as the term is used in s. 943.059.
(3) The department shall expunge the nonjudicial arrest record of a minor who has successfully completed a diversion program if that minor:
(a) Submits an application for diversion expunction, on a form prescribed by the department, signed by the minor’s parent or legal guardian, or by the minor if he or she has reached the age of majority at the time of applying.
(b) Submits to the department, with the application, an official written statement from the state attorney for the county in which the arrest occurred certifying that the minor has successfully completed that county’s diversion program; that the minor’s participation in the program was based on an arrest for a misdemeanor offense or for a felony offense, other than a forcible felony as defined in s. 776.08 or a felony involving the manufacture, sale, purchase, transport, possession, or use of a firearm or weapon as those terms are defined in s. 790.001; and that the minor has not otherwise been charged by the state attorney with, or found to have committed, any criminal offense or comparable ordinance violation.
(c) Has never been, before filing the application for expunction, charged by the state attorney with, or found to have committed, any criminal offense or comparable ordinance violation.
(4) Expunction or sealing granted under this section does not prevent the minor who receives such relief from petitioning for the expunction or sealing of a later criminal history record as provided for in ss. 943.0583, 943.0585, and 943.059, if the minor is otherwise eligible under those sections.
(5) A nonjudicial record of the arrest of a minor who has successfully completed a diversion program which is sealed or expunged under this section and which is retained by the department is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution, except that the record may be made available to criminal justice agencies only for the purposes specified in subparagraph (2)(b)1. The exemption under this subsection applies to records held by the department before, on, or after July 1, 2022. This subsection is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2027, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
History.—s. 8, ch. 2001-125; s. 10, ch. 2001-127; s. 66, ch. 2004-267; s. 117, ch. 2006-120; s. 35, ch. 2010-117; s. 3, ch. 2013-98; s. 24, ch. 2013-116; s. 45, ch. 2014-162; s. 3, ch. 2016-42; s. 6, ch. 2018-127; s. 79, ch. 2019-167; s. 1, ch. 2022-111; s. 1, ch. 2022-112.
943.0583 Human trafficking victim expunction.—
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Human trafficking” has the same meaning as provided in s. 787.06.
(b) “Official documentation” means any documentation issued by a federal, state, or local agency tending to show a person’s status as a victim of human trafficking.
(c) “Victim of human trafficking” means a person subjected to coercion, as defined in s. 787.06, for the purpose of being used in human trafficking, a child under 18 years of age subjected to human trafficking, or an individual subjected to human trafficking as defined by federal law.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon the filing of a petition as provided in this section, any court in the circuit in which the petitioner was arrested, so long as the court has jurisdiction over the class of offense or offenses sought to be expunged, may order a criminal justice agency to expunge the criminal history record of a victim of human trafficking who complies with the requirements of this section. A petition need not be filed in the court where the petitioner’s criminal proceeding or proceedings originally occurred. 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 discretion of the court. The clerk of the court may not charge a filing fee, service charge, or copy fee or any other charge for a petition filed under this section. The clerk of the court shall treat a petition seeking to expunge more than one eligible case as a single petition.
(3) A person who is a victim of human trafficking may petition for the expunction of a criminal history record resulting from the arrest or filing of charges for one or more offenses committed or reported to have been committed while the person was a victim of human trafficking, which offense was committed or reported to have been committed as a part of the human trafficking scheme of which the person was a victim or at the direction of an operator of the scheme, including, but not limited to, violations under chapters 796 and 847, without regard to the disposition of the arrest or of any charges. However, this section does not apply to any offense listed in s. 775.084(1)(b)1. Determination of the petition under this section should be by a preponderance of the evidence. A conviction expunged under this section is deemed to have been vacated due to a substantive defect in the underlying criminal proceedings. If a person is adjudicated not guilty by reason of insanity or is found to be incompetent to stand trial for any such charge, the expunction of the criminal history record may not prevent the entry of the judgment or finding in state and national databases for use in determining eligibility to purchase or possess a firearm or to carry a concealed firearm, as authorized in s. 790.065(2)(a)4.c. and 18 U.S.C. s. 922(t), nor shall it prevent any governmental agency that is authorized by state or federal law to determine eligibility to purchase or possess a firearm or to carry a concealed firearm from accessing or using the record of the judgment or finding in the course of such agency’s official duties.
(4) A petition under this section must be initiated by the petitioner with due diligence after the victim has ceased to be a victim of human trafficking or has sought services for victims of human trafficking, subject to reasonable concerns for the safety of the victim, family members of the victim, or other victims of human trafficking that may be jeopardized by the bringing of such petition or for other reasons consistent with the purpose of this section.
(5) Official documentation of the victim’s status creates a presumption that his or her participation in the offense was a result of having been a victim of human trafficking but is not required for granting a petition under this section. A determination made without such official documentation must be made by a showing of clear and convincing evidence.
(6) Each petition to a court to expunge a criminal history record is complete only when accompanied by:
(a) The petitioner’s sworn statement attesting that the petitioner is eligible for such an expunction to the best of his or her knowledge or belief.
(b) Official documentation of the petitioner’s status as a victim of human trafficking, if any exists.
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.
(7)(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) The petitioner or the petitioner’s attorney may appear at any hearing under this section telephonically, via video conference, or by other electronic means.
(c) The court shall allow an advocate from a state attorney’s office, law enforcement agency, safe house or safe foster home as defined in s. 409.1678(1), or a residential facility offering services to adult victims of human trafficking to be present with the petitioner during any court proceedings or hearings under this section, if the petitioner has made such a request and the advocate is able to be present.
(d) 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 listed in the court order 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 that the records of the court reflect has received the criminal history record from the court.
(8)(a) Any criminal history record of a minor or an adult that is ordered expunged 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.
(b) The person who is the subject of a criminal history record that is expunged under this section may lawfully deny or fail to acknowledge the arrests covered by the expunged record, except when the subject of the record is a candidate for employment with a criminal justice agency or is a defendant in a criminal prosecution.
(c) Subject to the exceptions in paragraph (b), a person who has been granted an expunction under this section may not be held under any 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.
(9) 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.
(10)(a) A criminal history record ordered expunged under this section that is retained by the department is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution, except that the record shall be made available:
1. To criminal justice agencies for their respective criminal justice purposes.
2. To any governmental agency that is authorized by state or federal law to determine eligibility to purchase or possess a firearm or to carry a concealed firearm for use in the course of such agency’s official duties.
3. Upon order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(b) A criminal justice agency may retain a notation indicating compliance with an order to expunge.
(11)(a) The following criminal intelligence information or criminal investigative information is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution:
1. Any information that reveals the identity of a person who is a victim of human trafficking whose criminal history record has been expunged under this section.
2. Any information that may reveal the identity of a person who is a victim of human trafficking whose criminal history record has been ordered expunged under this section.
(b) Criminal investigative information and criminal intelligence information made confidential and exempt under this subsection may be disclosed by a law enforcement agency:
1. In the furtherance of its official duties and responsibilities.
2. For print, publication, or broadcast if the law enforcement agency determines that such release would assist in locating or identifying a person that the agency believes to be missing or endangered. The information provided should be limited to that needed to identify or locate the victim.
3. To another governmental agency in the furtherance of its official duties and responsibilities.
(c) This exemption applies to such confidential and exempt criminal intelligence information or criminal investigative information held by a law enforcement agency before, on, or after the effective date of the exemption.
(12)(a) A petition filed under this section and all pleadings and documents related to the petition are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(b) This subsection is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and is repealed on October 2, 2028, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2013-98; s. 1, ch. 2013-99; s. 12, ch. 2014-160; s. 2, ch. 2015-145; s. 2, ch. 2015-146; s. 1, ch. 2018-39; s. 2, ch. 2020-170; ss. 3, 9, ch. 2021-189; s. 1, ch. 2023-84.
943.0584 Criminal history records ineligible for court-ordered expunction or court-ordered sealing.—
(1) As used in this section, the term “conviction” means a determination of guilt which is the result of a trial or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld, or if the defendant was a minor, a finding that the defendant committed or pled guilty or nolo contendere to committing a delinquent act, regardless of whether adjudication of delinquency is withheld.
(2) A criminal history record is ineligible for a certificate of eligibility for expunction or a court-ordered expunction pursuant to s. 943.0585 or a certificate of eligibility for sealing or a court-ordered sealing pursuant to s. 943.059 if the record is a conviction for any of the following offenses:
(a) Sexual misconduct, as defined in s. 393.135, s. 394.4593, or s. 916.1075;
(b) Illegal use of explosives, as defined in chapter 552;
(c) Terrorism, as defined in s. 775.30;
(d) Murder, as defined in s. 782.04, s. 782.065, or s. 782.09;
(e) Manslaughter or homicide, as defined in s. 782.07, s. 782.071, or s. 782.072;
(f) Assault or battery, as defined in ss. 784.011 and 784.03, respectively, of one family or household member by another family or household member, as defined in s. 741.28(3);
(g) Aggravated assault, as defined in s. 784.021;
(h) Felony battery, domestic battery by strangulation, or aggravated battery, as defined in ss. 784.03, 784.041, and 784.045, respectively;
(i) Stalking or aggravated stalking, as defined in s. 784.048;
(j) Luring or enticing a child, as defined in s. 787.025;
(k) Human trafficking, as defined in s. 787.06;
(l) Kidnapping or false imprisonment, as defined in s. 787.01 or s. 787.02;
(m) Any offense defined in chapter 794;
(n) Procuring a person less than 18 years of age for prostitution, as defined in former s. 796.03;
(o) Lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon or in the presence of persons less than 16 years of age, as defined in s. 800.04;
(p) Arson, as defined in s. 806.01;
(q) Burglary of a dwelling, as defined in s. 810.02;
(r) Voyeurism or digital voyeurism, as defined in ss. 810.14 and 810.145, respectively;
(s) Robbery or robbery by sudden snatching, as defined in ss. 812.13 and 812.131, respectively;
(t) Carjacking, as defined in s. 812.133;
(u) Home-invasion robbery, as defined in s. 812.135;
(v) A violation of the Florida Communications Fraud Act, as provided in s. 817.034;
(w) Abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult, or aggravated abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult, as defined in s. 825.102;
(x) Lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon or in the presence of an elderly person or disabled person, as defined in s. 825.1025;
(y) Child abuse or aggravated child abuse, as defined in s. 827.03;
(z) Sexual performance by a child, as defined in s. 827.071;
(aa) Any offense defined in chapter 839;
(bb) Certain acts in connection with obscenity, as defined in s. 847.0133;
(cc) Any offense defined in s. 847.0135;
(dd) Selling or buying of minors, as defined in s. 847.0145;
(ee) Aircraft piracy, as defined in s. 860.16;
(ff) Manufacturing a controlled substance in violation of chapter 893;
(gg) Drug trafficking, as defined in s. 893.135; or
(hh) Any violation specified as a predicate offense for registration as a sexual predator pursuant to s. 775.21, or sexual offender pursuant to s. 943.0435, without regard to whether that offense alone is sufficient to require such registration.
History.—s. 49, ch. 2019-167; s. 24, ch. 2021-156; s. 7, ch. 2024-132.
943.0585 Court-ordered expunction of criminal history records.—
(1) ELIGIBILITY.—A person is eligible to petition a court to expunge a criminal history record if:
(a) An indictment, information, or other charging document was not filed or issued in the case giving rise to the criminal history record.
(b) An indictment, information, or other charging document was filed or issued in the case giving rise to the criminal history record, was dismissed or nolle prosequi by the state attorney or statewide prosecutor, or was dismissed by a court of competent jurisdiction or a judgment of acquittal was rendered by a judge, or a verdict of not guilty was rendered by a judge or jury.
(c) The person is not seeking to expunge a criminal history record that is ineligible for court-ordered expunction under s. 943.0584.
(d) The person has never, as of the date the application for a certificate of expunction is filed, been adjudicated guilty in this state of a criminal offense or been adjudicated delinquent in this state for committing any felony or any of the following misdemeanors, unless the record of such adjudication of delinquency has been expunged pursuant to s. 943.0515:
1. Assault, as defined in s. 784.011;
2. Battery, as defined in s. 784.03;
3. Assault on a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, or other specified officers, as defined in s. 784.07(2)(a);
4. Carrying a concealed weapon, as defined in s. 790.01(2);
5. Open carrying of a weapon, as defined in s. 790.053;
6. Unlawful possession or discharge of a weapon or firearm at a school-sponsored event or on school property, as defined in s. 790.115;
7. Unlawful use of destructive devices or bombs, as defined in s. 790.1615(1);
8. Unlawful possession of a firearm, as defined in s. 790.22(5);
9. Exposure of sexual organs, as defined in s. 800.03;
10. Arson, as defined in s. 806.031(1);
11. Petit theft, as defined in s. 812.014(3);
12. Neglect of a child, as defined in s. 827.03(1)(e); or
13. Cruelty to animals, as defined in s. 828.12(1).
(e) The person 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.
(f) The person is no longer under court supervision applicable to the disposition of arrest or alleged criminal activity to which the petition to expunge pertains.
(g) The person has never secured a prior sealing or expunction of a criminal history record under this section, s. 943.059, former s. 893.14, former s. 901.33, or former s. 943.058, unless expunction is sought of a criminal history record previously sealed for 10 years pursuant to paragraph (h) and the record is otherwise eligible for expunction.
(h) The person has previously obtained a court-ordered sealing the criminal history record under s. 943.059, former s. 893.14, former s. 901.33, or former s. 943.058 for a minimum of 10 years because adjudication was withheld or because all charges related to the arrest or alleged criminal activity to which the petition to expunge pertains were not dismissed before trial, without regard to whether the outcome of the trial was other than an adjudication of guilt. The requirement for the record to have previously been sealed for a minimum of 10 years does not apply if a plea was not entered or all charges related to the arrest or alleged criminal activity to which the petition to expunge pertains were dismissed before trial or a judgment of acquittal was rendered by a judge or a verdict of not guilty was rendered by a judge or jury.
(2) CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY.—Before petitioning a court to expunge a criminal history record, a person seeking to expunge a criminal history record must apply to the department for a certificate of eligibility for expunction. The department shall adopt rules to establish procedures for applying for and issuing a certificate of eligibility for expunction.
(a) 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:
1. Satisfies the eligibility criteria in paragraphs (1)(a)-(h) and is not ineligible under s. 943.0584.
2. Has submitted to the department a written certified statement from the appropriate state attorney or statewide prosecutor which confirms the criminal history record complies with the criteria in paragraph (1)(a) or paragraphs (1)(b) and (c).
3. Has submitted to the department a certified copy of the disposition of the charge to which the petition to expunge pertains.
4. Remits a $75 processing fee to the department for placement in the Department of Law Enforcement Operating Trust Fund, unless the executive director waives such fee.
(b) A certificate of eligibility for expunction is valid for 12 months after the date stamped on the certificate when issued by the department. After that time, the petitioner must reapply to the department for a new certificate of eligibility. The petitioner’s status and the law in effect at the time of the renewal application determine the petitioner’s eligibility.
(3) PETITION.—Each petition to expunge a criminal history record must be accompanied by:
(a) A valid certificate of eligibility issued by the department.
(b) The petitioner’s sworn statement that he or she:
1. Satisfies the eligibility requirements for expunction in subsection (1).
2. Is eligible for expunction to the best of his or her knowledge and does not have any other petition to seal or expunge a criminal history record pending before any court.
A person who knowingly provides false information on such sworn statement commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(4) COURT AUTHORITY.—
(a) 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 that such procedures are not inconsistent with the conditions, responsibilities, and duties established by this section.
(b) A 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 may 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 under subsection (2).
(c) The court may order expunction of a criminal history record pertaining to one arrest or one incident of alleged criminal activity only, except that the court may 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.
(d) 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.
(e) This section does not confer any right to 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.
(5) PROCESSING OF A PETITION OR AN ORDER.—
(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 shall forward 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) 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.
(6) EFFECT OF EXPUNCTION ORDER.—
(a) 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 which is retained by the department is confidential and exempt from 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.
(b) 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 ss. 893.14, 901.33, and 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, s. 943.0583, 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 Families, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation within the Department of Education, the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Health, the Department of Elderly Affairs, 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 disabled, or the elderly;
6.a. Is seeking to be employed or licensed by, or contract with, the Department of Education, any district unit under s. 1001.30, any special district unit under s. 1011.24, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind under s. 1002.36, the Florida Virtual School under s. 1002.37, any virtual instruction program under s. 1002.45, any charter school under s. 1002.33, any hope operator under s. 1002.333, any alternative school under s. 1008.341, any private or parochial school, or any local governmental entity that licenses child care facilities;
b. Is seeking to be employed or used by a contractor or licensee under sub-subparagraph a.; or
c. Is a person screened under s. 1012.467;
7. Is seeking to be licensed by the Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services within the Department of Financial Services; or
8. Is seeking to be appointed as a guardian pursuant to s. 744.3125.
(c) Subject to the exceptions in paragraph (b), 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.
(d) Information relating to the existence of an expunged criminal history record which is provided in accordance with paragraph (a) is confidential and exempt from 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 (b)1. and 4.-8. for their respective licensing, access authorization, 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 (b)1., subparagraph (b)4., subparagraph (b)5., subparagraph (b)6., subparagraph (b)7., or subparagraph (b)8. to disclose information relating to the existence of an expunged criminal history record of a person seeking employment, access authorization, 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, access authorization, or licensure decisions. A person who violates this paragraph commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
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; s. 3, ch. 2000-246; s. 27, ch. 2000-320; s. 115, ch. 2000-349; s. 4, ch. 2001-127; s. 1, ch. 2002-212; ss. 8, 97, ch. 2004-267; s. 1, ch. 2004-295; s. 22, ch. 2005-128; s. 118, ch. 2006-120; s. 10, ch. 2006-176; s. 27, ch. 2006-195; s. 109, ch. 2006-197; s. 5, ch. 2008-249; s. 8, ch. 2009-171; s. 7, ch. 2010-31; s. 17, ch. 2012-73; s. 18, ch. 2012-215; s. 4, ch. 2013-98; s. 25, ch. 2013-116; s. 169, ch. 2014-17; s. 35, ch. 2014-123; s. 6, ch. 2014-124; s. 27, ch. 2014-160; s. 11, ch. 2014-195; s. 1, ch. 2018-101; s. 110, ch. 2019-3; s. 50, ch. 2019-167; s. 5, ch. 2022-154; s. 33, ch. 2023-18.
943.059 Court-ordered sealing of criminal history records.—
(1) ELIGIBILITY.—A person is eligible to petition a court to seal a criminal history record when:
(a) The criminal history record is not ineligible for court-ordered sealing under s. 943.0584.
(b) The person has never, before the date the application for a certificate of eligibility is filed, been adjudicated guilty in this state of a criminal offense, or been adjudicated delinquent in this state for committing any felony or any of the following misdemeanor offenses, unless the record of such adjudication of delinquency has been expunged pursuant to s. 943.0515:
1. Assault, as defined in s. 784.011;
2. Battery, as defined in s. 784.03;
3. Assault on a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, or other specified officers, as defined in s. 784.07(2)(a);
4. Carrying a concealed weapon, as defined in s. 790.01(2);
5. Open carrying of a weapon, as defined in s. 790.053;
6. Unlawful possession or discharge of a weapon or firearm at a school-sponsored event or on school property, as defined in s. 790.115;
7. Unlawful use of destructive devices or bombs, as defined in s. 790.1615(1);
8. Unlawful possession of a firearm by a minor, as defined in s. 790.22(5);
9. Exposure of sexual organs, as defined in s. 800.03;
10. Arson, as defined in s. 806.031(1);
11. Petit theft, as defined in s. 812.014(3);
12. Neglect of a child, as defined in s. 827.03(1)(e); or
13. Cruelty to animals, as defined in s. 828.12(1).
(c) The person 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.
(d) The person is no longer under court supervision applicable to the disposition of arrest or alleged criminal activity to which the petition to seal pertains.
(e) The person has never secured a prior sealing or expunction of a criminal history record under this section, s. 943.0585, former s. 893.14, former s. 901.33, or former s. 943.058.
(2) CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY.—Before petitioning the court to seal a criminal history record, a person seeking to seal a criminal history record must apply to the department for a certificate of eligibility for sealing. The department shall adopt rules relating to the application for and issuance of certificates of eligibility for sealing.
(a) The department shall issue a certificate of eligibility for sealing to a person who is the subject of a criminal history record if that person:
1. Satisfies the eligibility criteria in paragraphs (1)(a)-(e) and is not ineligible for court-ordered sealing under s. 943.0584.
2. Has submitted to the department a certified copy of the disposition of charge to which the petition pertains.
3. Remits a $75 processing fee to the department for placement in the Department of Law Enforcement Operating Trust Fund, unless the executive director waives such fee.
(b) A certificate of eligibility for sealing is valid for 12 months after the date stamped on the certificate when issued by the department. After that time, the petitioner must reapply to the department for a new certificate of eligibility. The status of the applicant and the law in effect at the time of the renewal application determine the petitioner’s eligibility.
(3) PETITION.—Each petition to a court to seal a criminal history record is complete only when accompanied by:
(a) A valid certificate of eligibility issued by the department pursuant to this section.
(b) The petitioner’s sworn statement that the petitioner:
1. Satisfies the eligibility requirements for sealing in subsection (1).
2. Is eligible for sealing to the best of his or her knowledge and does not have any other petition to seal or expunge a criminal history record 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.
(4) COURT AUTHORITY.—
(a) The courts of this state have jurisdiction over their own procedures, including the maintenance, sealing, and correction of judicial records containing criminal history information to the extent that such procedures are not inconsistent with the conditions, responsibilities, and duties established by this section.
(b) 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 may 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 pursuant to subsection (2).
(c) The court may order the sealing of a criminal history record pertaining to one arrest or one incident of alleged criminal activity only, except the court may 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 a record 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.
(d) 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.
(e) This section does not confer any right to the sealing of any criminal history record, and any request for sealing of a criminal history record may be denied at the sole discretion of the court.
(5) PROCESSING OF A PETITION OR ORDER.—
(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 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 that the records of the court reflect has received the criminal history record from the court.
(c) 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 such order does not otherwise comply with the requirements of this section.
(6) EFFECT OF ORDER.—
(a) A criminal history record of a minor or an adult which is ordered sealed by a court pursuant to this section is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution and is available only to the following persons:
1. The subject of the record;
2. The subject’s attorney;
3. Criminal justice agencies for their respective criminal justice purposes, which include conducting a criminal history background check for approval of firearms purchases or transfers as authorized by state or federal law;
4. Judges in the state courts system for the purpose of assisting them in their case-related decisionmaking responsibilities, as set forth in s. 943.053(5); or
5. To those entities set forth in subparagraphs (b)1., 4.-6., and 8.-10. for their respective licensing access authorization and employment purposes.
(b) The subject of the criminal history record sealed under this section or under other provisions of law, including former ss. 893.14, 901.33, and 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, s. 943.0583, 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 Families, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation within the Department of Education, the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Health, the Department of Elderly Affairs, 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 disabled, or the elderly;
6.a. Is seeking to be employed or licensed by, or contract with, the Department of Education, a district unit under s. 1001.30, a special district unit under s. 1011.24, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind under s. 1002.36, the Florida Virtual School under s. 1002.37, a virtual instruction program under s. 1002.45, a charter school under s. 1002.33, a hope operator under s. 1002.333, an alternative school under s. 1008.341, a private or parochial school, or a local governmental entity that licenses child care facilities;
b. Is seeking to be employed or used by a contractor or licensee under sub-subparagraph a.; or
c. Is a person screened under s. 1012.467;
7. Is attempting to purchase a firearm from a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer and is subject to a criminal history check under state or federal law;
8. Is seeking to be licensed by the Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services within the Department of Financial Services;
9. Is seeking to be appointed as a guardian pursuant to s. 744.3125; or
10. Is seeking to be licensed by the Bureau of License Issuance of the Division of Licensing within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm. This subparagraph applies only in the determination of an applicant’s eligibility under s. 790.06.
(c) Subject to the exceptions in paragraph (b), 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.
(d) Information relating to the existence of a sealed criminal history record provided in accordance with paragraph (b) is confidential and exempt from 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 (b)1., 4.-6., and 8.-10. for their respective licensing, access authorization, and employment purposes. An employee of an entity set forth in subparagraph (b)1., subparagraph (b)4., subparagraph (b)5., subparagraph (b)6., subparagraph (b)8., subparagraph (b)9., or subparagraph (b)10. may not disclose information relating to the existence of a sealed criminal history record of a person seeking employment, access authorization, 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, access authorization, or licensure decisions. A person who violates this paragraph commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
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; s. 3, ch. 2000-246; s. 28, ch. 2000-320; s. 5, ch. 2001-127; s. 1, ch. 2002-212; ss. 9, 98, ch. 2004-267; s. 2, ch. 2004-295; s. 23, ch. 2005-128; s. 119, ch. 2006-120; s. 11, ch. 2006-176; s. 28, ch. 2006-195; s. 110, ch. 2006-197; s. 6, ch. 2008-249; s. 9, ch. 2009-171; s. 8, ch. 2010-31; s. 18, ch. 2012-73; s. 19, ch. 2012-215; s. 5, ch. 2013-98; s. 26, ch. 2013-116; s. 170, ch. 2014-17; s. 36, ch. 2014-123; s. 7, ch. 2014-124; s. 19, ch. 2014-147; s. 28, ch. 2014-160; s. 2, ch. 2018-101; s. 51, ch. 2019-167; s. 54, ch. 2021-51; s. 6, ch. 2022-154; s. 34, ch. 2023-18.
943.0595 Automatic sealing of criminal history records; confidentiality of related court records.—
(1) RULEMAKING.—Notwithstanding any law dealing generally with the preservation and destruction of public records, the department shall adopt rules addressing the automatic sealing of any criminal history record of a minor or an adult described in this section.
(2) ELIGIBILITY.—
(a) The department shall automatically seal a criminal history record that does not result from an indictment, information, or other charging document for a forcible felony as defined in s. 776.08 or for an offense enumerated in s. 943.0435(1)(h)1.a.(I), if:
1. An indictment, information, or other charging document was not filed or issued in the case giving rise to the criminal history record.
2. An indictment, information, or other charging document was filed in the case giving rise to the criminal history record, but was dismissed or nolle prosequi by the state attorney or statewide prosecutor or was dismissed by a court of competent jurisdiction as to all counts. However, a person is not eligible for automatic sealing under this section if the dismissal was pursuant to s. 916.145 or s. 985.19.
3. A not guilty verdict was rendered by a judge or jury as to all counts. However, a person is not eligible for automatic sealing under this section if the defendant was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
4. A judgment of acquittal was rendered by a judge as to all counts.
(b) There is no limitation on the number of times a person may obtain an automatic sealing for a criminal history record described in paragraph (a).
(3) PROCESS FOR AND EFFECT OF AUTOMATIC SEALING.—
(a) Upon the disposition of a criminal case resulting in a criminal history record eligible for automatic sealing under paragraph (2)(a), the clerk of the court shall transmit a certified copy of the disposition of the criminal history record to the department, which shall seal the criminal history record upon receipt of the certified copy.
(b) The department shall notify the clerk of the court upon the sealing of the criminal history record as provided in paragraph (a). Upon such notification, the clerk of the court must automatically keep the related court record in the case giving rise to the department’s sealing of the criminal history record confidential and exempt from s. 119.071(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(c) Automatic sealing of a criminal history record and making the related court record confidential and exempt does not require sealing by other criminal justice agencies, or that such record be surrendered to the court, and such record shall continue to be maintained by the department and other criminal justice agencies.
(d) Except as provided in this section, automatic sealing of a criminal history record and making the related court record confidential and exempt shall have the same effect, and the department and the clerk of the court may disclose such a record in the same manner, as a record sealed under s. 943.059.
History.—s. 52, ch. 2019-167; s. 1, ch. 2023-189.
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 15 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 Florida Commission on Offender Review 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 Secretary of Children and Families 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; s. 7, ch. 2008-249; s. 318, ch. 2014-19; s. 31, ch. 2014-191.
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 adopt uniform information exchange standards, methodologies, and best practices, applying national standards and models when appropriate, in order to guide local and state criminal justice agencies when procuring, implementing, or modifying information systems.
(3) The council shall provide statewide oversight and support the development of plans and policies relating to public safety information systems in order to facilitate the effective identification, standardization, access, sharing, integrating, and coordinating of criminal and juvenile justice data among federal, state, and local agencies. The council shall make recommendations addressing each of the following:
(a) Privacy of data.
(b) Security of systems.
(c) Functional and information sharing standards.
(d) Accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of data.
(e) Access to data and systems.
(f) Transmission of data and information.
(g) Dissemination of information.
(h) Training.
(i) Other areas that effect the sharing of criminal and juvenile justice information and other public safety system information.
(4) The council shall provide oversight to the operation of the Criminal Justice Network (CJNet) for which the department shall serve as custodial manager pursuant to s. 943.0544. Criminal justice agencies participating in the Criminal Justice Network shall adhere to CJNet standards and policies.
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; s. 31, ch. 2001-64; s. 27, ch. 2007-105; s. 8, ch. 2008-249.
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 identify and 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 and, in so doing, should specifically implement guidelines and practices that address security, privacy, and confidentiality.
(5) Public safety system entities should strive for electronic sharing of information.
(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. Redundant capture of data should be discouraged unless there is a specific business need for it.
(8) Public safety systems should adhere to information exchange standards approved by the council.
(9) The council should adopt where possible applicable national standards for data exchange.
History.—s. 5, ch. 96-388; s. 9, ch. 2008-249.
943.082 School Safety Awareness Program.—
(1) In collaboration with the Department of Legal Affairs, the department shall competitively procure a mobile suspicious activity reporting tool that allows students and the community to relay information anonymously concerning unsafe, potentially harmful, dangerous, violent, or criminal activities, or the threat of these activities, to appropriate public safety agencies and school officials. As recommended by students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the program shall be named “FortifyFL.” At a minimum, the department must receive reports electronically through the mobile suspicious activity reporting tool that is available on both Android and Apple devices.
(2) The reporting tool must notify the reporting party of the following information:
(a) That the reporting party may provide his or her report anonymously.
(b) That if the reporting party chooses to disclose his or her identity, that information shall be shared with the appropriate law enforcement agency and school officials; however, the law enforcement agency and school officials shall be required to maintain the information as confidential.
(c) That if, following an investigation, it is determined that a person knowingly submitted a false tip through FortifyFL, the Internet protocol (IP) address of the device on which the tip was submitted will be provided to law enforcement agencies for further investigation and the reporting party may be subject to criminal penalties under s. 837.05. In all other circumstances, unless the reporting party has chosen to disclose his or her identity, the report will remain anonymous.
(3) Information reported using the tool must be promptly forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agency or school official.
(4)(a) Law enforcement dispatch centers, school districts, schools, and other entities identified by the department must be made aware of the mobile suspicious activity reporting tool.
(b) The district school board shall promote the use of the mobile suspicious activity reporting tool by advertising it on the school district website, in newsletters, on school campuses, and in school publications, by installing it on all mobile devices issued to students, and by bookmarking the website on all computer devices issued to students. Within the first 5 days of each school year, each district school board and charter school governing board must ensure that instruction on the use of the mobile suspicious activity reporting tool known as FortifyFL is provided to students. The instruction must be age and developmentally appropriate and include the consequences for making a threat or false report as described in ss. 790.162 and 790.163, respectively, involving school or school personnel’s property, school transportation, or a school-sponsored activity.
(5) The department, in collaboration with the Division of Victim Services within the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Safe Schools within the Department of Education, shall develop and provide a comprehensive training and awareness program on the use of the mobile suspicious activity reporting tool.
(6) The identity of the reporting party received through the mobile suspicious activity reporting tool and held by the department, the Department of Education, law enforcement agencies, or school officials is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. Any other information received through the mobile suspicious activity reporting tool and held by the department, the Department of Education, law enforcement agencies, or school officials is exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. These exemptions apply to any such records held by these agencies before, on, or after the effective date of this act. This subsection is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2028, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2018-1; s. 19, ch. 2018-3; s. 4, ch. 2019-22; s. 1, ch. 2022-174; s. 1, ch. 2023-60; s. 3, ch. 2024-155.
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. The term 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. The term also includes a special officer employed by a Class I, Class II, or Class III railroad pursuant to s. 354.01.
(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 includes any private entity that has contracted with the state or county for the operation and maintenance of a nonjuvenile detention facility. The term also includes a Class I, Class II, or Class III railroad that employs special officers pursuant to s. 354.01.
(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(11).
(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 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.
(22) “Special operations forces” means those active and reserve component forces of the military services designated by the Secretary of Defense and specifically organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. The term includes, but is not limited to, servicemembers of the United States Army Special Forces and the United States Army 75th Ranger Regiment; the United States Navy SEALs and Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen; the United States Air Force Combat Control, Pararescue, and Tactical Air Control Party specialists; the United States Marine Corps Critical Skills Operators; and any other component of the United States Special Operations Command approved by the commission.
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; s. 1042, ch. 2002-387; s. 2, ch. 2007-45; s. 1, ch. 2018-46; s. 129, ch. 2023-8; s. 22, ch. 2023-197.
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 Corrections or a designated assistant; the Attorney General or a designee; the Director of the Division of the Florida Highway Patrol; and 16 members appointed by the Governor, consisting of 3 sheriffs; 3 chiefs of police; 5 law enforcement officers who 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 must 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.
1. In appointing the three sheriffs, the Governor shall choose each appointment from a list of six nominees submitted by the Florida Sheriffs Association. The Florida Sheriffs Association shall submit its list of six nominees at least 3 months before the expiration of the term of any sheriff member.
2. In appointing the three chiefs of police, the Governor shall choose each appointment from a list of six nominees submitted by the Florida Police Chiefs Association. The Florida Police Chiefs Association shall submit its list of six nominees at least 3 months before the expiration of the term of any police chief member.
3. In appointing the five law enforcement officers and one correctional officer of the rank of sergeant or below, the Governor shall choose each appointment from a list of six nominees submitted by a committee comprised of three members of the collective bargaining agent for the largest number of certified law enforcement bargaining units, two members of the collective bargaining agent for the second largest number of certified law enforcement bargaining units, and one member of the collective bargaining agent representing the largest number of state law enforcement officers in certified law enforcement bargaining units. At least one of the names submitted for each of the five appointments who are law enforcement officers must be an officer who is not in a collective bargaining unit.
(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.
(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; s. 32, ch. 2001-64; s. 1, ch. 2004-289; s. 1, ch. 2005-103.
943.12 Powers, duties, and functions of the commission.—The commission shall:
(1) Adopt 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, including agency in-service training 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) Conduct official inquiries or require criminal justice training schools to conduct official inquiries of criminal justice training instructors who are certified by the commission.
(8) Establish minimum curricular requirements for criminal justice training schools.
(9) 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.
(10) 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.
(11) 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.
(12) Establish a central repository of records for the proper administration of its duties, powers, and functions.
(13) Issue final orders which include findings of fact and conclusions of law and which constitute final agency action for the purpose of chapter 120.
(14) Enforce compliance with provisions of this chapter through injunctive relief and civil fines.
(15) Make recommendations concerning any matter within the purview of this chapter.
(16) Adopt rules for the certification, maintenance, 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. The commission shall adopt rules requiring the demonstration of proficiency in firearms for all law enforcement officers. The commission shall by rule include the frequency of demonstration of proficiency with firearms and the consequences for officers failing to demonstrate proficiency with firearms.
(17) 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; s. 1, ch. 2002-205; s. 1, ch. 2003-278; s. 4, ch. 2010-62.
943.125 Accreditation of state and local law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, public agency offices of inspectors general, and certain pretrial diversion programs; intent.—
(1) It is the intent of the Legislature that law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, public agency offices of inspectors general, and those agencies offering pretrial diversion programs within offices of the state attorneys, county government, or sheriff’s offices in the state be upgraded and strengthened through the adoption of meaningful standards of operation for those agencies and their functions.
(2) It is the further intent of the Legislature that these agencies voluntarily adopt standards designed to promote enhanced professionalism:
(a) For law enforcement, to maximize the capability of law enforcement agencies to enforce the law and prevent and control criminal activities.
(b) For correctional facilities, to maintain best practices for the care, custody, and control of inmates.
(c) Within public agency offices of inspector general, to promote more effective scrutiny of public agency operations and greater accountability of those serving in those agencies.
(d) In the operation and management of pretrial diversion programs offered by and through the state attorney’s offices, county government, or sheriff’s offices.
(3) The Legislature also intends to encourage the continuation of a voluntary state accreditation program to facilitate the enhanced professionalism identified in subsection (2). Other than the staff support by the department as authorized in subsection (5), the accreditation program must be independent of any law enforcement agency, the Department of Corrections, the Florida Sheriffs Association, or the Florida Police Chiefs Association.
(4) The law enforcement accreditation program must address, at a minimum, the following aspects of law enforcement:
(a) Vehicle pursuits.
(b) Seizure and forfeiture of contraband articles.
(c) Recording and processing citizens’ complaints.
(d) Use of force.
(e) Traffic stops.
(f) Handling natural and manmade disasters.
(g) Special operations.
(h) Prisoner transfer.
(i) Collection and preservation of evidence.
(j) Recruitment and selection.
(k) Officer training.
(l) Performance evaluations.
(m) Law enforcement disciplinary procedures and rights.
(n) Use of criminal investigative funds.
(o) Access to and use of personal identification information, as defined in s. 817.568(1)(f), contained in electronic databases.
(5) Subject to available funding, the department shall employ and assign adequate support staff to the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc., and the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission, Inc., in support of the accreditation programs established in this section.
(6) Accreditation standards related to law enforcement and inspectors general used by the accreditation programs established in this section shall be determined by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. Accreditation standards related to corrections functions and pretrial diversion programs shall be determined by the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission, Inc.
History.—s. 4, ch. 93-252; s. 68, ch. 96-388; s. 33, ch. 2001-64; s. 146, ch. 2005-2; s. 161, ch. 2010-102; s. 27, ch. 2013-116; s. 2, ch. 2021-129.
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 or to a county commission shall:
(1) Be at least 19 years of age, except that any person employed as a full-time, a part-time, or an auxiliary correctional officer must be at least 18 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 contractor-employed 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. The department shall retain and enter into the statewide automated biometric identification system authorized by s. 943.05 all fingerprints submitted to the department as required by this section. Thereafter, the fingerprints shall be available for all purposes and uses authorized for arrest fingerprints entered in the statewide automated biometric identification system pursuant to s. 943.051. The department shall search all arrest fingerprints received pursuant to s. 943.051 against the fingerprints retained in the statewide automated biometric identification system pursuant to this section and report to the employing agency any arrest records that are identified with the retained employee’s fingerprints. These fingerprints must be forwarded to the department for processing and retention.
(6) Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or licensed advanced practice registered nurse, based on specifications established by the commission. In order to be eligible for the presumption set forth in s. 112.18 while employed with an employing agency, a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer must have successfully passed the physical examination required by this subsection upon entering into service as a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer with the employing agency, which examination must have failed to reveal any evidence of tuberculosis, heart disease, or hypertension. A law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer may not use a physical examination from a former employing agency for purposes of claiming the presumption set forth in s. 112.18 against the current employing agency. The employing agency must maintain records of the physical examination for at least 5 years after the employee’s separation from the employing agency. If the employing agency fails to maintain the records of the physical examination for the 5-year period after the employee’s separation, it is presumed that the employee has met the requirements of this subsection.
(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 contractor-employed 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 require the applicant to disclose any pending investigation by a local, state, or federal agency or entity for criminal, civil, or administrative wrongdoing and whether the applicant separated or resigned from previous criminal justice employment while he or she was under investigation. 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 served as a full-time sworn officer in another state or for the Federal Government for at least 1 year, provided there is no more than an 8-year break in employment, as measured from the separation date of the most recent qualifying employment to the time a complete application for an exemption under this subsection is submitted; or
(b) Served in the special operations forces for a minimum of 5 years, provided there is no more than a 4-year break from the applicant’s special operations forces experience, as measured from the separation date from the special operations forces to the time a complete application for an exemption under this subsection is submitted,
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; s. 2, ch. 2002-205; s. 2, ch. 2003-278; s. 1, ch. 2004-78; s. 4, ch. 2004-248; s. 12, ch. 2006-176; s. 1, ch. 2007-27; s. 28, ch. 2013-116; s. 2, ch. 2018-46; s. 85, ch. 2018-106; s. 2, ch. 2019-113; s. 2, ch. 2021-241; s. 2, ch. 2022-114; s. 130, ch. 2023-8; s. 5, ch. 2023-268; s. 15, ch. 2024-84.
943.131 Temporary employment or appointment; minimum basic recruit training exemptions.—
(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. A person temporarily employed or appointed as an officer under this subsection must begin basic recruit training within 180 consecutive days after employment. Such person must fulfill the requirements of s. 943.13(9) within 18 months after beginning basic recruit training and must fulfill the certification examination requirements of s. 943.13(10) within 180 consecutive days after completing basic recruit training. A person hired after he or she has commenced basic recruit training or after completion of basic recruit training must fulfill the certification examination requirements of s. 943.13(10) within 180 consecutive days after completion of basic recruit training or the commencement of employment, whichever occurs later.
(b) In no case may the person be temporarily employed or appointed for more than 30 months. A person shall not be eligible to transfer to another employer while employed pursuant to this subsection. 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. Fails or withdraws from a basic recruit training program within the time limits specified in this subsection;
2. 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 within the time limits specified in this subsection; or
3. Is separated from employment or appointment by the employing agency within the time limits specified in this subsection.
(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.
(d) Persons employed under this subsection are subject to the provisions of s. 943.1395.
(e) Persons who have had a certification administered pursuant to s. 943.1395 revoked by the commission or have voluntarily relinquished such certification shall be ineligible for employment pursuant to this subsection.
(2) If an applicant seeks an exemption from completing a commission-approved basic recruit training program, the employing agency, training center, or criminal justice selection center must verify and document that the applicant has:
(a) Successfully completed a comparable basic recruit training program for the discipline in which the applicant is seeking certification in another state or for the Federal Government or a previous Florida basic recruit training program. Further, the employing agency, training center, or criminal justice selection center must verify that the applicant has served as a full-time sworn officer in another state or for the Federal Government for at least 1 year provided there is no more than an 8-year break in employment or was a previously certified Florida officer provided there is no more than an 8-year break in employment, as measured from the separation date of the most recent qualifying employment to the time a complete application is submitted for an exemption under this section. The employing agency, training center, or criminal justice selection center shall submit documentation of satisfaction of this requirement to the commission; or
(b) Served in the special operation forces for a minimum of 5 years, provided there is no more than a 4-year break from the applicant’s special operations forces experience, as measured from the separation date from the special operations forces to the time a complete application for an exemption under this subsection is submitted. The employing agency, training center, or criminal justice selection center shall further verify and document the specific training and experience the applicant received during his or her special operations forces service that is relevant to law enforcement. The employing agency, training center, or criminal justice selection center shall submit documentation of satisfaction of these requirements to the commission.
(3) The commission shall adopt rules that establish criteria and procedures to determine if the applicant is exempt from completing the commission-approved basic recruit training program and, upon making a determination, shall notify the employing agency, training center, or criminal justice selection center. The commission may require an exempt applicant to complete additional training as it deems appropriate based on the applicant’s prior training and experience.
(4) Within 1 year after receiving an exemption, an applicant who is exempt from completing the commission-approved basic recruit training program must:
(a) Complete all additional required training as required by the commission.
(b) Demonstrate proficiency in the high-liability areas as defined by commission rule.
(c) Complete the requirements of s. 943.13(10).
If the proficiencies and requirements of s. 943.13(10) are not met within the 1-year period, the applicant must seek an additional exemption as provided in this subsection. 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; s. 5, ch. 2000-226; s. 3, ch. 2002-205; s. 3, ch. 2003-278; s. 5, ch. 2010-62; s. 3, ch. 2018-46; s. 3, ch. 2019-113; s. 9, ch. 2021-241.
943.132 Implementation of federal qualified active or qualified retired law enforcement concealed firearms provisions.—
(1) The commission shall by rule establish the manner in which Title 18, 44 U.S.C. ss. 926B and 926C, relating to the carrying of concealed firearms by qualified law enforcement officers and qualified retired law enforcement officers, as defined in the act, shall be implemented in the state. In order to facilitate the implementation within the state of Title 18, 44 U.S.C. ss. 926B and 926C, the commission shall authorize a uniform firearms proficiency verification card to be issued to persons who achieve a passing score on the firing range testing component as used in the minimum firearms proficiency course applicable to active law enforcement officers, indicating the person’s name and the date upon which he or she achieved the passing score. Each such card shall be issued only by firearms instructors with current certifications from the commission.
(2) Facilities operating firing ranges on which firearms instructors certified by the commission administer the firing range testing component as utilized in the minimum firearms proficiency course applicable to active law enforcement officers may open the firing range under terms and conditions established by the operating entity to other persons for purposes of allowing such persons to demonstrate their ability to achieve a passing score on the firing range testing component as utilized in the minimum firearms proficiency course. All costs associated with the demonstration by any such person that he or she meets the requirements of the firing range testing component as utilized in the minimum firearms proficiency course shall be at the expense of the person being tested.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2007-111; s. 29, ch. 2013-116.
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 shall 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; s. 5, ch. 2018-46; s. 4, ch. 2019-113; s. 3, ch. 2021-241.
943.134 Release of employee information by employers.—
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Employing agency” has the same meaning ascribed in s. 943.10.
(b) “Employment information” includes, but is not limited to, written information relating to job applications, performance evaluations, attendance records, disciplinary matters, reasons for termination, eligibility for rehire, and other information relevant to an officer’s performance, except information that any other state or federal law prohibits disclosing or information that is subject to a legally recognized privilege the employer is otherwise entitled to invoke.
(2)(a) When a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer, or an agent thereof, is conducting a background investigation of an applicant for temporary or permanent employment or appointment as a full-time, part-time, or auxiliary law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer with an employing agency, the applicant’s current or former employer, or the employer’s agent, shall provide to the officer or his or her agent conducting the background investigation employment information concerning the applicant. The investigating officer or his or her agent must present to the employer from whom the information is being sought credentials demonstrating the investigating officer’s employment with the employing agency and an authorization form for release of information which is designed and approved by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.
(b) The authorization form for release of information must:
1. Be either the original authorization or a copy or facsimile of the original authorization;
2. Have been executed by the applicant no more than 1 year before the request;
3. Contain a statement that the authorization has been specifically furnished to the employing agency presenting the authorization; and
4. Bear the authorized signature of the applicant.
(3) Each employing agency shall maintain employment information for a minimum of 5 years after the date of the officer’s termination, resignation, or retirement from the employing agency, unless the employing agency is otherwise required to retain such information for a longer time period.
(4) If an employer refuses to disclose information to an employing agency in accordance with this section, the employing agency has grounds for a civil action for injunctive relief requiring disclosure by the employer.
(5) An employer who discloses employment information under this section is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences as provided in s. 768.095.
(6) An employer may charge a reasonable fee to cover the actual costs incurred by the employer in copying and furnishing documents to an employing agency as required by this section.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2001-94; s. 4, ch. 2021-241.
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; and
(b) A procedure for reactivation of the certification of an officer who is not in compliance with this section.
(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. An 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; s. 4, ch. 2002-205; s. 36, ch. 2010-117.
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, including establishing tobacco-use standards.
(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; s. 2, ch. 2007-27; s. 5, ch. 2019-113.
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; s. 6, ch. 2019-113.
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 in compliance with s. 943.131(2). Any such officer who fails to comply with the requirements provided in s. 943.131(2) must meet the minimum qualifications described in s. 943.13, to include the requirement of s. 943.13(9).
(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. The commission may inspect and copy an employing agency’s records to ensure compliance with this subsection.
(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 cause verifiable complaints to be investigated. 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 appeal of a termination or other disciplinary action through the administrative or judicial process or during the period of any criminal prosecution of the officer.
(b)1. 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.
2. However, not more than 30 days before the results of an investigation are to be presented to a probable cause panel, an officer who is being investigated, or the officer’s attorney, may review any documents or other information regarding the investigation which was developed by or provided to the commission.
(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)1. 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.
2. On or before July 1 of each odd-numbered year, the commission shall conduct a workshop to receive public comment and evaluate disciplinary guidelines and penalties. The commission chair shall appoint a 12-member advisory panel, composed of six officers and six representatives of criminal justice management positions, to make recommendations to the commission concerning disciplinary guidelines.
(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.
(d) When an employing agency disciplines an officer and the officer’s employment is continued or reinstated by the agency, the Criminal Justice Professionalism Program shall review the sustained disciplinary charges and disciplinary penalty to determine whether the penalty conforms to the disciplinary penalties prescribed by commission rule, and, in writing, 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, by a letter of acknowledgment, 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. The commission shall adopt rules establishing procedures for administering this subsection.
(e) 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.
(9) Each person employed pursuant to s. 943.131 is subject to discipline by the commission. Persons who have been subject to disciplinary action pursuant to this subsection are ineligible for employment or appointment under s. 943.131.
(a) The commission shall cause to be investigated any conduct defined in subsection (6) or subsection (7) by a person employed under s. 943.131 and shall set disciplinary guidelines and penalties prescribed in rules applicable to such noncertified persons.
(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) In addition, the commission may establish violations and disciplinary penalties for intentional abuse of the employment option provided by s. 943.131 by an individual or employing agency.
(10) An officer whose certification has been revoked pursuant to this section shall be ineligible for employment or appointment under s. 943.131.
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; s. 4, ch. 2003-278; s. 2, ch. 2004-289; s. 6, ch. 2010-62; s. 30, ch. 2013-116; s. 6, ch. 2018-46; s. 7, ch. 2019-113; s. 10, ch. 2021-241.
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 Commission-certified 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.
(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 commission staff in the department’s Criminal Justice Professionalism Program.
(3) The commission shall establish, by rule, procedures for the certification and discipline of 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)(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 career center of this state, and all full-time instructors of such institutions, are exempt from the provisions of subsections (1)-(5).
(7) Each criminal justice training school that offers law enforcement, correctional, or correctional probation officer basic recruit training, or selection center that provides applicant screening for criminal justice training schools, shall conduct a criminal history background check of an applicant prior to entrance into the basic recruit class. A complete set of fingerprints must be taken by an authorized criminal justice agency or by an employee of the criminal justice training school or selection center who is trained to take fingerprints. If the employing agency has previously taken a set of fingerprints from the applicant and has obtained a criminal history check of the applicant using the fingerprints, the requirements of this subsection shall be met when the employing agency submits to the criminal justice training school or selection center a letter stating the date on which the agency took the fingerprints of the applicant, a summary of the criminal history check based on the fingerprints, and a certification that the applicant is qualified to enroll in the basic recruit training program pursuant to s. 943.13. If the criminal justice training school or selection center takes the fingerprints, it shall submit the fingerprints to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for a statewide criminal history check, and forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history check. Applicants found through fingerprint processing to have pled guilty to or been convicted of a crime which would render the applicant unable to meet the minimum qualifications for employment as an officer as specified in s. 943.13(4) shall be removed from the pool of qualified candidates by the criminal justice training school or selection center.
(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; s. 1, ch. 2000-187; s. 6, ch. 2000-226; s. 5, ch. 2002-205; s. 63, ch. 2004-357; s. 8, ch. 2019-113.
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; reimbursement of tuition, other course expenses, wages, and benefits.—
(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 2 years after graduation from the basic recruit training program. If employment or appointment is terminated on the trainee’s own initiative within 2 years, he or she shall reimburse the employing agency for the full cost of his or her tuition and other course expenses.
(3) An employing agency is authorized to pay the required fee for an applicant to take the officer certification examination on one occasion.
(4) An employing agency may institute a civil action to collect such cost of tuition and other course expenses as provided in this section if it is not reimbursed, provided that the employing agency gave written notification to the trainee of the 2-year employment commitment during the employment screening process. The trainee shall return signed acknowledgment of receipt of such notification.
(5) For purposes of this section, the term “other course expenses” includes the cost of meals.
(6) This section does not apply to trainees who terminate employment with the employing agency and resign their certification upon termination in order to obtain employment for which certification under this chapter is not required. Further, this section does not apply to trainees attending auxiliary officer training.
(7) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, an employing agency may waive a trainee’s requirement of reimbursement in part or in full when the trainee terminates employment due to hardship or extenuating circumstances.
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; s. 1, ch. 2003-264; s. 2, ch. 2008-250.
943.17 Basic recruit, advanced, and career development training programs; participation; cost; evaluation.—The commission shall, by rule, design, implement, maintain, evaluate, and revise entry requirements and 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, revise, or adopt 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, revise, or adopt 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, revise, or adopt 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(8).
(d) Design, implement, maintain, evaluate, revise, or adopt a specialized training program consisting of identified goals and objectives that enhance an officer’s ability to perform his or her duties.
(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.
(g) Assure that entrance into the basic recruit training program for law enforcement and correctional officers be limited to those who have passed a basic skills examination and assessment instrument, based on a job task analysis in each discipline and adopted by the commission. However, a person is not required to take the basic skills examination and assessment instrument before entering a law enforcement officer basic recruit training program if he or she is a veteran as defined in s. 1.01(14) or holds an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
(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 State Board of Education relating to student enrollment.
(5) The commission, in consultation with the Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control 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.
(6) Entrants into academies certified by the commission to instruct basic skills training are exempt from s. 1004.91.
(7) By July 1, 2022, the commission, in consultation with the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, shall establish minimum standards for basic skills and continued education training for law enforcement officers that include a culturally responsive, trauma-informed response to sexual assault.
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; s. 2, ch. 2000-187; s. 2, ch. 2001-127; s. 6, ch. 2002-205; s. 5, ch. 2003-278; s. 22, ch. 2004-41; s. 7, ch. 2010-62; s. 13, ch. 2011-52; s. 9, ch. 2019-113; s. 2, ch. 2021-229; s. 6, ch. 2022-23.
943.1701 Uniform statewide policies and procedures; duty of the commission.—The commission, with the advice and cooperation of the Department of Children and Families, 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; s. 14, ch. 2020-6.
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) 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; s. 14, ch. 2000-155.
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 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 and the issues involved in child-to-parent cases.
(2) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Domestic violence” has the meaning set forth in s. 741.28.
(b) “Household member” has the meaning set forth in s. 741.28(3).
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; s. 15, ch. 2002-55; s. 164, ch. 2004-5; s. 2, ch. 2017-123.
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 training in interpersonal skills with diverse populations.
History.—ss. 9, 10, ch. 91-74; s. 6, ch. 97-225; s. 13, ch. 2006-176.
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, 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; s. 14, ch. 2006-176.
943.1717 Use of dart-firing stun guns.—
(1) A decision by a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer to use a dart-firing stun gun must involve an arrest or a custodial situation during which the person who is the subject of the arrest or custody escalates resistance to the officer from passive physical resistance to active physical resistance and the person:
(a) Has the apparent ability to physically threaten the officer or others; or
(b) Is preparing or attempting to flee or escape.
(2) The Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission shall establish standards for instructing law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation officers in the use of dart-firing stun guns. The instructional standards must include the effect that a dart-firing stun gun may have on a person.
(3) The basic skills course required for certification as a law enforcement officer must include instruction on the use of dart-firing stun guns. The portion of the basic skills course on the use of dart-firing stun guns must be a minimum of 4 hours’ duration.
(4) A law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer who has not received the dart-firing stun gun training described in subsection (3) and who is authorized by his or her employing or appointing agency to carry a dart-firing stun gun after the effective date of this act must complete, before issuance and use of a dart-firing stun gun, the 4-hour dart-firing stun gun training described in subsection (3) or an equivalent training course provided by the officer’s employing or appointing agency in accordance with the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission standards outlined in subsection (2).
(5) After completing the basic skills course, each law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation officer who is authorized by his or her agency to use a dart-firing stun gun must complete an annual training course on the use of dart-firing stun guns. The annual training course on the use of dart-firing stun guns must be a minimum of 1 hour duration.
History.—s. 5, ch. 2006-298.
943.1718 Body cameras; policies and procedures.—
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Body camera” means a portable electronic recording device that is worn on a law enforcement officer’s person that records audio and video data of the officer’s law-enforcement-related encounters and activities.
(b) “Law enforcement agency” means an agency that has a primary mission of preventing and detecting crime and enforcing the penal, criminal, traffic, and motor vehicle laws of the state and in furtherance of that primary mission employs law enforcement officers as defined in s. 943.10.
(c) “Law enforcement officer” has the same meaning as provided in s. 943.10.
(2) A law enforcement agency that permits its law enforcement officers to wear body cameras shall establish policies and procedures addressing the proper use, maintenance, and storage of body cameras and the data recorded by body cameras. The policies and procedures must include:
(a) General guidelines for the proper use, maintenance, and storage of body cameras.
(b) Any limitations on which law enforcement officers are permitted to wear body cameras.
(c) Any limitations on law-enforcement-related encounters and activities in which law enforcement officers are permitted to wear body cameras.
(d) A provision permitting a law enforcement officer using a body camera to review the recorded footage from the body camera, upon his or her own initiative or request, before writing a report or providing a statement regarding any event arising within the scope of his or her official duties. Any such provision may not apply to an officer’s inherent duty to immediately disclose information necessary to secure an active crime scene or to identify suspects or witnesses.
(e) General guidelines for the proper storage, retention, and release of audio and video data recorded by body cameras.
(3) A law enforcement agency that permits its law enforcement officers to wear body cameras shall:
(a) Ensure that all personnel who wear, use, maintain, or store body cameras are trained in the law enforcement agency’s policies and procedures concerning them.
(b) Ensure that all personnel who use, maintain, store, or release audio or video data recorded by body cameras are trained in the law enforcement agency’s policies and procedures.
(c) Retain audio and video data recorded by body cameras in accordance with the requirements of s. 119.021, except as otherwise provided by law.
(d) Perform a periodic review of actual agency body camera practices to ensure conformity with the agency’s policies and procedures.
(4) Chapter 934 does not apply to body camera recordings made by law enforcement agencies that elect to use body cameras.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2016-76; s. 1, ch. 2017-15.
943.1719 Basic skills training relating to the use of electronic databases.—The commission shall incorporate into the course curriculum required for initial certification of a law enforcement officer instruction on the authorized access to and use of personal identification information, as defined in s. 817.568(1)(f), contained in electronic databases used by a law enforcement officer in his or her official capacity. This training must include, but need not be limited to, the proper use, and limitations on use, of electronic databases in a law enforcement officer’s official capacity and the penalties associated with the misuse of such electronic databases.
History.—s. 3, ch. 2021-129.
943.17191 Continued employment training relating to the use of electronic databases.—The commission shall by rule require that each law enforcement officer receive, as part of the 40 hours of required instruction for continued employment or appointment as an officer, instruction on the authorized access to and use of personal identification information, as defined in s. 817.568(1)(f), contained in electronic databases used by a law enforcement officer in his or her official capacity. This training must include, but need not be limited to, the proper use, and limitations on use, of electronic databases in a law enforcement officer’s official capacity and the penalties associated with the misuse of such electronic databases.
History.—s. 4, ch. 2021-129.
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.
943.1724 Sexual assault investigation training.—
(1) By July 1, 2022, each basic skills course required for a law enforcement officer to obtain initial certification must incorporate culturally responsive, trauma-informed training on interviewing sexual assault victims and investigations of incidents of sexual assault.
(2) By July 1, 2024, each law enforcement officer must successfully complete training on sexual assault, with an emphasis on culturally responsive, trauma-informed training on interviewing sexual assault victims and investigations of incidents of sexual assault as a part of the basic recruit training required under s. 943.13(9), training required under s. 943.131(4)(a), or as a part of continued training or education required under s. 943.135(1). If an officer fails to complete the training required under this subsection, his or her certification must be placed on inactive status until the officer’s employing agency notifies the commission that he or she has completed such training.
History.—s. 3, ch. 2021-229.
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.
943.1726 Continued employment training relating to diabetic emergencies.—The department shall establish an online continued employment training component relating to diabetic emergencies. The training component shall include, but need not be limited to, instruction on the recognition of symptoms of such an emergency, distinguishing such an emergency from alcohol intoxication or drug overdose, and appropriate first aid for such an emergency. Completion of the training component may count toward the 40 hours of instruction for continued employment or appointment as a law enforcement officer required under s. 943.135.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2015-168.
1943.17261 Department of Law Enforcement; training related to medical use of marijuana.—The Department of Law Enforcement shall develop a 4-hour online initial training course, and a 2-hour online continuing education course, which shall be made available for use by all law enforcement agencies in this state. Such training shall cover the legal parameters of marijuana-related activities governed by ss. 381.986 and 381.988 relating to criminal laws governing marijuana.
History.—ss. 1, 15, ch. 2017-232.
1Note.—Section 1, ch. 2017-232, provides that “[i]t is the intent of the Legislature to implement s. 29, Article X of the State Constitution by creating a unified regulatory structure. If s. 29, Article X of the State Constitution is amended or a constitutional amendment related to cannabis or marijuana is adopted, this act shall expire 6 months after the effective date of such amendment.” If such amendment or adoption takes place, s. 15, ch. 2017-232, designated as s. 943.17261 by the reviser, is repealed.
943.1727 Continued employment training relating to autism spectrum disorder.—The department shall establish a continued employment training component relating to autism spectrum disorder as defined in s. 627.6686. The training component shall include, but need not be limited to, instruction on the recognition of the symptoms and characteristics of an individual on the autism disorder spectrum and appropriate responses to an individual exhibiting such symptoms and characteristics. Completion of the training component may count toward the 40 hours of instruction for continued employment or appointment as a law enforcement officer required under s. 943.135.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2017-43.
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.
943.17296 Training in identifying and investigating elder abuse and neglect.—Each certified law enforcement officer must successfully complete training on identifying and investigating elder abuse and neglect as a part of the basic recruit training of the officer required in s. 943.13(9) or continuing education under s. 943.135(1) before June 30, 2011. The training shall be developed in consultation with the Department of Elderly Affairs and the Department of Children and Families and must incorporate instruction on the identification of and appropriate responses for persons suffering from dementia and on identifying and investigating elder abuse and neglect. If an officer fails to complete the required training, his or her certification is inactive until the employing agency notifies the commission that the officer has completed the training.
History.—s. 3, ch. 2008-160; s. 319, ch. 2014-19.
943.17297 Training in identifying and investigating human trafficking.—Each certified law enforcement officer must successfully complete 4 hours of training in identifying and investigating human trafficking as part of the basic recruit training of the officer required in s. 943.13(9) or additional training required in s. 943.131(4). The training must be developed by the commission in consultation with the Department of Legal Affairs and the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking.
History.—s. 9, ch. 2019-152; s. 6, ch. 2023-86.
943.17298 Training in the recognition of and responses to head trauma and brain injury in a child under 6 years of age.—The commission shall establish standards for the instruction of law enforcement officers in the subject of recognition of and responses to head trauma and brain injury in a child under 6 years of age to aid an officer in the detection of head trauma and brain injury due to child abuse. Each law enforcement officer must successfully complete the training as part of the basic recruit training for a law enforcement officer, as required under s. 943.13(9), or as a part of continuing training or education required under s. 943.135(1), before July 1, 2022.
History.—s. 10, ch. 2020-40.
943.17299 Continued employment training relating to Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia.—The department shall establish an online, continued employment training component relating to Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia. The training component must be developed in consultation with the Department of Elder Affairs and must include, but need not be limited to, instruction on interacting with persons with Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia, including instruction on techniques for recognizing behavioral symptoms and characteristics, effective communication, employing the use of alternatives to physical restraints, and identifying signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Completion of the training component may count toward the 40 hours of instruction for continued employment or appointment as a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer required under s. 943.135.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2024-52.
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 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; s. 7, ch. 2002-205.
943.1735 Basic skills training related to use of force; use of force policies; contents.—
(1) For the purposes of this section, the term:
(a) “Chokehold” means the intentional and prolonged application of force to the throat, windpipe, or airway of another person that prevents the intake of air. The term does not include any hold involving contact with another person’s neck that is not intended to prevent the intake of air.
(b) “Excessive use of force” means use of force that exceeds the degree of force permitted by law, policy, or the observing officer’s employing agency.
(2) The commission shall establish standards for the instruction of officers in the subject of use of force, and each employing agency in the state shall adopt policies in the subject of use of force. The standards and policies must include:
(a) Instruction on the proportional use of force.
(b) Alternatives to use of force, including de-escalation techniques.
(c) Limiting the use of a chokehold, if the employing agency authorizes the use of a chokehold, to circumstances where the officer perceives an immediate threat of serious bodily injury or death to himself, herself, or another person.
(d) The duty to intervene in another officer’s excessive use of force, which must require an on-duty officer who observes another officer engaging or attempting to engage in excessive use of force to intervene to end the excessive use of force or attempted excessive use of force when such intervention is reasonable based on the totality of the circumstances and the observing officer may intervene without jeopardizing his or her own health or safety.
(e) The duty to render medical assistance following use of force, which must require an officer who knows, or when it is otherwise evident, that a person who is detained or in custody is injured or requires medical attention to provide first aid or seek medical assistance when such action is reasonable based on the totality of the circumstances and the officer may do so without jeopardizing his or her own health or safety.
(f) Instruction on the recognition of the evident symptoms and characteristics of an individual with a substance abuse disorder or a mental illness and appropriate responses to an individual exhibiting such symptoms or characteristics.
(3) Beginning July 1, 2023, every basic skills course required in order for officers to obtain initial certification must include the standards for instruction required under this section.
History.—s. 5, ch. 2021-241.
943.1740 Standards for use of force investigations.—
(1) This section shall apply to use of force investigations conducted when a law enforcement officer’s use of force results in the death of any person or the intentional discharge of a firearm that results in injury or death to any person.
(2) Each law enforcement agency shall develop and maintain policies regarding use of force investigations concerning a law enforcement officer employed by the agency at the time of the use of force. At a minimum, such policies must incorporate an independent review of the use of force by:
(a) A law enforcement agency that did not employ the law enforcement officer under investigation at the time of the use of force;
(b) A law enforcement officer who is not employed by the same employing agency as the law enforcement officer under investigation; or
(c) The state attorney of the judicial circuit in which the use of force occurred.
(3) The policies must incorporate a requirement for the reviewing agency or officer to complete an independent report upon completion of the independent review. The independent report shall be submitted to the state attorney of the judicial circuit in which the use of force occurred.
History.—s. 6, ch. 2021-241.
943.1745 Training relating to officer health and wellness principles.—
(1) By July 1, 2023, the commission shall incorporate into the course curriculum required for initial certification of a law enforcement officer instruction on health and wellness principles specific to the law enforcement profession. The commission shall consult with the Florida State University Institute for Justice Research and Development and the Resiliency Behind the Badge training program to develop the basic skills training component relating to officer health and wellness principles. The training must include, but need not be limited to, understanding the role secondary trauma and work-related incidents have on the personal life of an officer; methods for identifying and addressing personal and work-related stressors; strategies to better understand when to seek professional help and what kind of professional help to seek; and strategies to normalize conversations about stress, trauma, and mental health within the law enforcement community.
(2) By July 1, 2023, the commission shall by rule require that each law enforcement officer receive, as part of the 40 hours of required instruction for continued employment or appointment as an officer, instruction on health and wellness principles specific to the law enforcement profession. The commission shall consult with the Florida State University Institute for Justice Research and Development and the Resiliency Behind the Badge training program to develop the training component relating to officer health and wellness principles. The training must include, but need not be limited to, understanding the role secondary trauma and work-related incidents have on the personal life of an officer; methods for identifying and addressing personal and work-related stressors; strategies to better understand when to seek professional help and what kind of professional help to seek; and strategies to normalize conversations about stress, trauma, and mental health within the law enforcement community.
History.—s. 7, ch. 2022-23.
943.175 Inservice training.—
(1) Inservice training programs consisting of courses established, implemented, and evaluated by an employing agency are the responsibility of the employing agency. Inservice 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 training programs or courses need not be approved by the commission.
(2) Inservice 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; s. 8, ch. 2002-205.
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 Governors of the State University System shall, in cooperation with the Department of Law Enforcement, determine the specific placement of the institute within the system. The Department of Law Enforcement maintains responsibility for delivering and facilitating all Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute training.
(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 or a designee.
2. The Secretary of Corrections or a designee.
3. The Commissioner of Education or a designee.
4. The Secretary of Juvenile Justice or a designee.
(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) Seven 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; s. 63, ch. 2007-217; s. 31, ch. 2013-116.
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. 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; s. 32, ch. 2013-116.
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.
(3) 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.
(4) The instruction in the subject of interpersonal skills relating to diverse populations shall consist of a module developed by the commission on the topic of discriminatory profiling.
History.—ss. 9, 14, ch. 91-74; s. 11, ch. 97-225; s. 1, ch. 2001-264; s. 111, ch. 2019-3.
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; s. 11, ch. 2021-241.
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 that has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, another regional accrediting agency, the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, or an accrediting agency or association that is recognized by the database created and maintained by the United States Department of Education.
(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. 1007.25(13) 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; s. 9, ch. 2002-205; s. 1043, ch. 2002-387; s. 110, ch. 2003-1; s. 11, ch. 2005-100; s. 19, ch. 2017-116; s. 43, ch. 2021-164.
943.25 Criminal justice trust funds; source of funds; use of funds.—
(1) The Department of Law Enforcement may approve, for disbursement from the Department of Law Enforcement Operating Trust Fund, 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(9). 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 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 (6). The commission may approve the training of appropriate support personnel when it can be demonstrated that these personnel directly support the criminal justice function.
(4) 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 may 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 (8).
(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.
(5) Training, room, or board cost may not 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 and offered through a criminal justice training school certified by the commission. 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.
(6) 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.
(7) 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.
(8) 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.
(9) 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, including computer-based testing, 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.
(10) 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.
(11) 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; s. 5, ch. 2000-118; s. 15, ch. 2000-155; ss. 41, 42, ch. 2000-171; s. 2, ch. 2001-184; s. 4, ch. 2001-232; ss. 31, 32, 54, ch. 2001-254; s. 128, ch. 2001-266; s. 10, ch. 2002-205; s. 8, ch. 2011-52; s. 88, ch. 2012-5; s. 33, ch. 2013-116.
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; s. 10, ch. 2019-113.
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.
943.257 Independent audit documentation subject to inspection.—The Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission or a center’s advisory board may inspect and copy any documents from the center as required to carry out the commission’s or the respective board’s oversight responsibilities, including information and documents related to applicant evaluations and center expenditures. In addition, the commission or board may inspect and copy the documentation of any internal or independent audits conducted by or on behalf 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; s. 16, ch. 2006-176.
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, Indian River, Miami-Dade, 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; s. 169, ch. 2008-4; s. 8, ch. 2010-62.
943.324 Rapid DNA Grant Program for county jails or sheriffs’ offices.—
(1) There is created within the department the Rapid DNA Grant Program to award grants to county jails or sheriffs’ offices to support local law enforcement agencies in the processing and expediting of DNA samples as defined in, and in support of the statewide DNA database under, s. 943.325.
(2) The department shall annually award to county jails or sheriffs’ offices any funds specifically appropriated for the grant program to cover expenses related to the purchasing of DNA testing machines and other necessary supplies. Grants must be provided to county jails or sheriffs’ offices if funds are appropriated for that purpose by law. The total amount of grants awarded may not exceed funding appropriated for the grant program.
(3) The department may establish criteria and set specific time periods for the acceptance of applications and for the selection process for awarding grant funds.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2023-234.
943.325 DNA database.—
(1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—
(a) The Legislature finds that DNA databases are important tools in criminal investigations, in the exclusion of individuals who are the subject of criminal investigations or prosecutions and in detecting recidivist acts. It is the policy of this state to assist federal, state, and local criminal justice and law enforcement agencies in the identification and detection of individuals in criminal investigations and the identification and location of missing and unidentified persons. Therefore, it is in the best interests of the citizens of this state to establish a statewide DNA database containing DNA samples submitted by persons convicted of or arrested for felony offenses and convicted of certain misdemeanor offenses. Additionally, the statewide DNA database shall include DNA records and samples necessary for the identification of missing persons and unidentified human remains, including DNA samples voluntarily contributed by relatives of missing persons.
(b) The Legislature also finds that upon establishment of the Florida DNA database, a match between casework evidence DNA samples from a criminal investigation and DNA samples from a state or federal DNA database of certain offenders may be used to find probable cause for the issuance of a warrant for arrest or to obtain the DNA sample from an offender.
(2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Arrested” means apprehended or physically taken into custody, resulting in the submission of arrest fingerprints to the department, pursuant to s. 943.051.
(b) “CODIS” means the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Combined DNA Index System that allows the storage and exchange of DNA records submitted by federal, state, and local forensic DNA laboratories.
(c) “Convicted” means a finding of guilt by a court of competent jurisdiction, or entry of a plea of nolo contendere or guilty, or, in the case of a juvenile, the finding of delinquency, regardless of adjudication.
(d) “DNA” means deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA is located in the cells and provides an individual’s personal genetic blueprint. DNA encodes genetic information that is the basis of human heredity and forensic identification.
(e) “DNA record” means all information associated with the collection and analysis of a person’s DNA sample, including the distinguishing characteristics collectively referred to as a DNA profile.
(f) “DNA sample” means a buccal or other approved biological specimen capable of undergoing DNA analysis.
(g) “Qualifying offender” means any person, including juveniles and adults, who is:
1.a. Committed to a county jail;
b. Committed to or under the supervision of the Department of Corrections, including persons incarcerated in a contractor-operated correctional institution operated under contract pursuant to s. 944.105;
c. Committed to or under the supervision of the Department of Juvenile Justice;
d. Transferred to this state under the Interstate Compact on Juveniles, part XIII of chapter 985; or
e. Accepted under Article IV of the Interstate Corrections Compact, part III of chapter 941; and who is:
2.a. Convicted of any felony offense or attempted felony offense in this state or of a similar offense in another jurisdiction;
b. Convicted of a misdemeanor violation of s. 784.048, s. 810.14, s. 847.011, s. 847.013, s. 847.0135, or s. 877.26, or an offense that was found, pursuant to s. 874.04, to have been committed for the purpose of benefiting, promoting, or furthering the interests of a criminal gang as defined in s. 874.03;
c. Arrested for any felony offense or attempted felony offense in this state; or
d. In the custody of a law enforcement agency and is subject to an immigration detainer issued by a federal immigration agency.
(3) COLLECTION OF SAMPLES.—
(a) Each qualifying offender shall submit a DNA sample at the time he or she is booked into a jail, correctional facility, or juvenile facility. A person who becomes a qualifying offender solely because of the issuance of an immigration detainer by a federal immigration agency must submit a DNA sample when the law enforcement agency having custody of the offender receives the detainer.
(b) DNA samples collected under paragraph (a) from persons arrested for any felony offense or attempted felony offense in this state are subject to sufficient funding appropriations passed by the Legislature and approved by the Governor according to the following schedule:
1. Beginning January 1, 2011, all felonies defined by chapters 782, 784, 794, and 800.
2. Beginning January 1, 2013, all felonies defined by chapters 810 and 812.
3. Beginning January 1, 2015, all felonies defined by chapters 787 and 790.
4. Beginning January 1, 2017, all felonies defined by chapter 893.
5. Beginning January 1, 2019, all remaining felony offenses.
The department may reject DNA samples submitted pursuant to this subsection if submitted before the funding of any phase or if received before the department issues an official notification to the submitting agency that the department is sufficiently prepared to receive the samples.
(c) On or before February 1, 2010, and by February 1 of each even-numbered year thereafter through 2018, the department shall submit a report to the Legislature listing the funding, infrastructure, facility, and personnel requirements necessary to operate the DNA database and DNA evidentiary analysis for the expansion phase scheduled for the following year.
(4) STATEWIDE DNA DATABASE.—The department, through 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 and other biological molecules and related data. The department shall be the administrator of the statewide DNA database. All accredited local government crime laboratories within the state shall have access through CODIS to the statewide DNA database in accordance with the rules and agreements established by the department.
(5) DUTIES.—The department shall:
(a) Receive, process, and store DNA and the data derived therefrom furnished pursuant to this section.
(b) Collect, process, maintain, and disseminate information and records as provided by this section.
(c) Strive to maintain and disseminate only accurate and complete records.
(d) Participate in the national DNA database program administered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(e) Provide for liaison with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other criminal justice agencies relating to the state’s participation in the CODIS program and the national DNA index system.
(f) Adopt rules specifying the proper procedure, including requisite identification information, for state and local law enforcement and correctional agencies to collect and submit DNA samples pursuant to this section.
(6) SAMPLES.—The statewide DNA database may contain DNA data obtained from the following types of biological samples:
(a) Crime scene samples.
(b) Samples obtained from qualifying offenders required by this section to provide a biological sample for DNA analysis and inclusion in the statewide DNA database.
(c) Samples lawfully obtained during the course of a criminal investigation.
(d) Samples from deceased victims or suspects that were lawfully obtained during the course of a criminal investigation.
(e) Samples from unidentified human remains.
(f) Samples from persons reported missing.
(g) Samples voluntarily contributed by relatives of missing persons.
(h) Other samples approved by the department.
(7) COLLECTION OF DNA SAMPLES FROM OFFENDERS.—
(a) Any qualifying offender, who is:
1. Arrested in this state;
2. Incarcerated in this state; or
3. On probation, community control, parole, conditional release, control release, or any other type of court-ordered supervision in this state,
shall be required to submit a DNA sample to a department-designated facility.
(b) Arrested qualifying offenders must submit a DNA sample at the time they are booked into a jail, correctional facility, or juvenile facility.
(c) Incarcerated persons and those in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice must submit required DNA samples not less than 45 days before their presumptive date of release from such incarceration or commitment.
(d) Upon the conviction of any qualifying offender which results in the commitment of the offender to a county jail, correctional facility, or juvenile facility, the entity responsible for the jail or facility shall ensure that a DNA sample is promptly secured and transmitted to the department. Personnel at the jail, correctional facility, or juvenile facility shall collect the DNA samples as part of the regular processing of qualifying offenders committed to the jail or facility.
(e) If a qualifying offender is not incarcerated following conviction, that offender may not be released from the custody of the court at the time of sentencing or released pursuant to a bond or surety until the DNA sample required by this section has been taken by the sheriff or his or her designee. The sheriff shall secure, process, and transmit the DNA sample to the department in a timely manner.
(f) A law enforcement agency having custody of a person who becomes a qualifying offender solely because of the issuance of an immigration detainer by a federal immigration agency shall ensure that a DNA sample is taken from the offender immediately after the agency receives the detainer and shall secure and transmit the sample to the department in a timely manner.
(8) REASONABLE FORCE.—Duly authorized law enforcement and corrections personnel may employ reasonable force in cases where a qualifying offender refuses to provide a DNA sample required under this section, and no such employee shall be civilly or criminally liable for the use of such reasonable force.
(9) OUT-OF-STATE OFFENDERS.—Any qualifying offender who is:
(a) Transferred to this state under the Interstate Compact on Juveniles, part XIII of chapter 985, for a felony offense or attempted felony offense; or
(b) Accepted under Article IV of the Interstate Corrections Compact, part III of chapter 941, for a felony offense or attempted felony offense,
shall provide a DNA sample pursuant to this section to the entity responsible for supervision of the offender, who shall ensure that the DNA sample is collected in a manner approved by the department and promptly secured and transmitted to the department.
(10) COLLECTION; LIABILITY.—
(a) The collection of DNA samples may be performed by any person using a collection kit approved by the department as directed in the kit or pursuant to other procedures approved by or acceptable to the department.
(b) Any person who collects or assists in the collection of a DNA sample is not civilly or criminally liable if a collection kit provided or approved by the department is used and the collection is done as directed in the kit, in a manner approved by the department, or is performed in an otherwise reasonable manner.
(11) SAMPLES.—The department will provide the DNA sample collection kits, labels, or other appropriate containers and instructions for the collection of the DNA samples. After collection, the DNA samples shall be forwarded to the department for analysis to determine genetic markers and characteristics for the purpose of individual identification of the person submitting the sample.
(a) At minimum, the following information must be included with each submission:
1. The qualifying offender’s last name, first name, date of birth, race, gender, and State Identification (SID) number if known.
2. The statute number of each offense charged.
3. The collecting agency’s name and address.
4. The name and telephone number of the person performing the collection of the DNA sample or witnessing the collection of the sample.
(b) If a DNA sample submitted to the department under this section cannot be used by the department in the manner and for the purposes required by this section, the department may require that another DNA sample be obtained.
(12) COURT ORDERS; COSTS.—The sentencing court shall include in the judgment order for a qualifying offender a provision requiring collection of a DNA sample from the defendant in a manner consistent with this section.
(a) Unless a convicted person has been declared indigent by the court, the convicted person shall pay the actual costs of collecting the approved biological specimens required under this section.
(b) If the order of a sentencing court fails to order a qualifying offender to submit a DNA sample as mandated by this section, the prosecutor may seek an amended order from the sentencing court requiring submission of a DNA sample in compliance with this section. In the alternative, the department, the Department of Corrections, a law enforcement agency, or a prosecutor may apply to the appropriate circuit court with jurisdiction for an order authorizing the seizure of the qualifying offender for the purpose of securing the required DNA sample.
1. The court shall issue the order upon a showing of probable cause.
2. Following issuance of the order, the DNA sample shall be collected in a reasonable manner and the qualifying offender shall be released unless there is cause to justify retaining the offender in custody.
(c) Failure by a law enforcement agency or other entity involved in collection of DNA samples under this section to strictly comply with this section or to abide by a statewide protocol for collecting DNA samples is not grounds for challenging the validity of the collection or the use of a DNA sample in court and evidence based upon or derived from the collected DNA sample may not be excluded by a court.
(d) The detention, arrest, or conviction of a person based upon a database match or database information may not be invalidated if it is later determined that the sample was obtained or placed in the database by mistake.
(e) All DNA samples submitted to the department for any reason shall be retained in the statewide DNA database and may be used for all lawful purposes as provided in this section.
(13) ANALYSIS OF DNA SAMPLES.—
(a) The department shall specify procedures for the collection, submission, identification, analysis, storage, and disposition of the DNA samples and DNA records collected under this section. These procedures shall also ensure compliance with national quality assurance standards so that the DNA records may be accepted into the national DNA database.
(b) The analyses of DNA samples collected under this section shall be used only for law enforcement identification purposes or to assist in the recovery or identification of human remains or missing persons and may not be used for identification of any medical or genetic condition.
(c) When completed, the results of DNA analysis shall be entered into the statewide DNA database maintained and administered by the department for such purpose, as provided in this section.
(14) RESULTS.—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 at the request of the agency. Otherwise, such information is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(15) OFFENSES AND PENALTIES.—
(a) Any person subject to the requirements of this section who willfully refuses to provide a DNA sample commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(b) Any person who:
1. Knowingly or intentionally discloses a DNA record, including the results of a DNA analysis, to a person or agency other than one authorized to have access to such records under this section;
2. Knowingly or intentionally uses or receives DNA records, including the results of DNA analysis, for purposes other than those authorized under this section; or
3. Knowingly or intentionally tampers or attempts to tamper with any DNA sample, the result of any analysis of a DNA sample, or a DNA sample collection container,
commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(16) PROCEDURES FOR REMOVAL.—Unless the department determines that a person is otherwise required by law to submit a DNA sample for inclusion in the statewide DNA database, the department shall, upon receipt and completion of such verification of the information noted below as may be required, promptly remove from the statewide DNA database the DNA analysis and any DNA biological samples that may have been retained of a person included therein:
(a) On the basis of a conviction for a qualifying offense specified in subparagraph (2)(g)2., if the department receives, from the person seeking removal of DNA information from the statewide DNA database, for each qualifying offense, a certified copy of a final court order establishing that such conviction has been overturned on direct appeal or set aside in a postconviction proceeding; or
(b) On the basis of an arrest, if the department receives from the person seeking removal of DNA information from the statewide DNA database, for each charge against the person on the basis of which the analysis was or could have been included in the statewide DNA database, a certified copy of the No Information or Nolle Prosequi filed by the state attorney, or final court order or other official documentation establishing that such charge has been dismissed or has resulted in an acquittal or that no charge was filed within the applicable time period.
For purposes of this section, a court order is not final if time remains for an appeal or application for discretionary review with respect to the order, or if a case has been remanded for retrial or other proceedings and has not been resolved after remand, or time remains for appeal or discretionary review of the remanded case or any other such proceedings that have not concluded and rendered the case resolved with finality.
(17) RULES.—The department shall, by rule, establish the procedure by which a person seeking removal of his or her DNA analysis and biological sample from the statewide DNA database shall submit the certified information required in subsection (16) to the department.
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; s. 1, ch. 2000-233; s. 2, ch. 2000-328; s. 3, ch. 2001-58; s. 3, ch. 2001-97; s. 9, ch. 2001-125; s. 6, ch. 2001-127; s. 2, ch. 2003-18; s. 2, ch. 2004-290; s. 22, ch. 2006-2; s. 160, ch. 2007-5; s. 1, ch. 2008-27; s. 28, ch. 2008-238; s. 2, ch. 2009-190; s. 34, ch. 2013-116; s. 10, ch. 2019-45; s. 1, ch. 2019-91; s. 18, ch. 2023-40; s. 16, ch. 2024-84.
943.3251 Postsentencing DNA testing.—
(1) When a court orders postsentencing DNA testing of physical evidence, pursuant to s. 925.11, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or its designee shall carry out the testing.
(2) The cost of such testing may be assessed against the sentenced defendant, pursuant to s. 925.11, unless he or she is indigent.
(3) The results of postsentencing DNA testing shall be provided to the court, the sentenced defendant, and the prosecuting authority.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2001-97.
943.326 DNA evidence collected in sexual offense forensic physical examinations and investigations.—
(1) A sexual offense evidence kit, or other DNA evidence if a kit is not collected, must be submitted to a member of the statewide criminal analysis laboratory system under s. 943.32 for forensic testing within 30 days after:
(a) Receipt of the evidence by a law enforcement agency if a report of the sexual offense is made to the law enforcement agency; or
(b) A request to have the evidence tested is made to the medical provider or the law enforcement agency by:
1. The alleged victim;
2. The alleged victim’s parent, guardian, or legal representative, if the alleged victim is a minor; or
3. The alleged victim’s personal representative, if the alleged victim is deceased.
(2) An alleged victim or, if applicable, the person representing the alleged victim under subparagraph (1)(b)2. or 3. must be informed of the purpose of submitting evidence for testing and the right to request testing under subsection (1) by:
(a) A medical provider conducting a forensic physical examination for purposes of a sexual offense evidence kit; or
(b) A law enforcement agency that collects other DNA evidence associated with the sexual offense if a kit is not collected under paragraph (a).
(3)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a collected sexual offense evidence kit, or other DNA evidence if a kit is not collected, that is collected from an alleged victim who reports a sexual offense to a law enforcement agency or who makes a request, or on whose behalf a request is made, for testing in compliance with paragraph (1)(b) must be retained in a secure, environmentally safe manner until the prosecuting agency has approved its destruction.
(b)1. A sexual offense evidence kit that is collected from a person who does not report a sexual offense to a law enforcement agency during the forensic physical examination and who does not make a request, or have a request made on his or her behalf, in compliance with paragraph (1)(b) must be retained for a minimum of 50 years after the collection date. Within 30 days after collecting such a kit, the medical facility or certified rape crisis center that collected the kit must transfer the kit to the department, which must maintain the kit in compliance with this subparagraph. A sexual offense evidence kit that is transferred and retained pursuant to this subparagraph must be stored anonymously, in a secure, environmentally safe manner, and with a documented chain of custody.
2. If, at any time following the initial retention of a sexual offense evidence kit pursuant to subparagraph 1., an alleged victim makes a report to a law enforcement agency or makes a request, or has a request made on his or her behalf, for testing in compliance with paragraph (1)(b), the kit must be retained as described in paragraph (a) if the applicable time limitation under s. 775.15 has not expired and prosecution of a criminal case may still be commenced. In circumstances in which a criminal case may not be commenced because the applicable time limitation under s. 775.15 has expired, the kit must be maintained in a secure, environmentally safe manner until the department has approved its destruction.
(4) The department and each laboratory within the statewide criminal analysis laboratory system, in coordination with the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, shall adopt and disseminate guidelines and procedures for the collection, submission, and testing of DNA evidence that is obtained in connection with an alleged sexual offense. The timely submission and testing of sexual offense evidence kits is a core public safety issue. Testing of sexual offense evidence kits must be completed no later than 120 days after submission to a member of the statewide criminal analysis laboratory system.
(a) The guidelines and procedures must include the requirements of this section, standards for how evidence is to be packaged for submission, what evidence must be submitted to a member of the statewide criminal analysis laboratory system, and timeframes for when the evidence must be submitted, analyzed, and compared to DNA databases.
(b) The testing requirements of this section are satisfied when a member of the statewide criminal analysis laboratory system tests the contents of the sexual offense evidence kit in an attempt to identify the foreign DNA attributable to a suspect. If a sexual offense evidence kit is not collected, the laboratory may receive and examine other items directly related to the crime scene, such as clothing or bedding or personal items left behind by the suspect. If probative information is obtained from the testing of the sexual offense evidence kit, the examination of other evidence should be based on the potential evidentiary value to the case and determined through cooperation among the investigating agency, the laboratory, and the prosecutor.
(c) The department shall, subject to appropriation by the Legislature, no later than July 1, 2023, create and maintain a statewide database to track the location, processing status, and storage of each sexual offense evidence kit collected after the implementation of the database that is accessible to law enforcement agencies and alleged victims and other persons listed in paragraph (1)(b). The database shall track the status of the kits from the collection site throughout the criminal justice process, including the initial collection at medical facilities, inventory and storage by law enforcement agencies or crime laboratories, analysis at crime laboratories, and storage or destruction after completion of analysis.
(d) The department shall adopt rules establishing the requirements for each entity that participates in the database. Law enforcement agencies, medical facilities, crime laboratories, and any other facilities that collect, receive, maintain, store, or preserve sexual offense evidence kits shall participate in the database, as required by the department.
(e) The department shall ensure that each alleged victim and other person listed in paragraph (1)(b) is notified of the existence of the database and provided with instructions on how to access it and informed that he or she is entitled to access to information regarding the alleged victim’s sexual offense evidence kit, including tracking information, testing status, and any DNA matches to a person deemed by investigators to be a suspect or person of interest. However, notification of a DNA match shall state only that a DNA match has occurred and may not contain any genetic or other identifying information. Such a notification may be delayed for up to 180 days if such notification would, in the opinion of investigators, negatively affect the investigation.
(5) A violation of this section does not create:
(a) A cause of action or a right to challenge the admission of evidence.
(b) A cause of action for damages or any other relief.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2016-72; s. 2, ch. 2021-213; s. 1, ch. 2024-169.
943.327 Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Grant Program.—
(1) As used in this section, the term “forensic investigative genetic genealogy” means the combined application of laboratory testing, genetic genealogy, and law enforcement investigative methods to develop investigative leads in unsolved violent crimes and provide investigative leads as to the identity of unidentified human remains. Such methods must be in accordance with department rule and compatible with multiple genealogical databases that are available for law enforcement use for the purposes described in this section. For purposes of the grant program created in this section, funding is intended to be used for developing genealogy DNA profiles consisting of 100,000 or more markers.
(2) There is created within the department the Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Grant Program to award grants to statewide and local law enforcement agencies and medical examiner’s offices to support those agencies and offices in the processing of DNA samples as specified under subsection (4).
(3) The department shall annually award to statewide and local law enforcement agencies and medical examiner’s offices any funds specially appropriated for the grant program to cover expenses related to using forensic investigative genetic genealogy methods to generate investigative leads for criminal investigations of violent crimes and to aid in the identification of unidentified human remains.
(4) Grants may be used in accordance with department rule for any of the following purposes:
(a) The analysis of DNA samples collected under applicable legal authority using forensic investigative genetic genealogy methods for solving violent crimes.
(b) The analysis of DNA samples of unidentified human remains.
(5) Each grant recipient shall provide to the executive director a report no later than 1 year after receipt of funding under the grant program. The report must include all of the following:
(a) The amount of funding received.
(b) The number and type of cases pursued using forensic investigative genetic genealogy methods.
(c) The type of forensic investigative genetic genealogy methods used, including the name of the laboratory to which such testing was outsourced, if any, and the identity of the entity conducting any genetic genealogical research.
(d) The result of the testing, such as decedent identification, perpetrator identification, or no identification.
(e) The amount of time it took to make an identification or to determine no identification could be made.
(6) The department may adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement and administer this section and to establish the process for the allocation of grant funds.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2024-113.
943.33 State-operated criminal analysis laboratories.—
(1) The state-operated laboratories shall furnish laboratory service upon request to law enforcement officials in the state. The testing services of such laboratories by persons employed by or acting on behalf of the department 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.
(2) For purposes of this section, “good cause” means a finding by the court that the laboratory testing 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, will not be unduly burdensome upon the laboratory, will not impede normal daily laboratory operations, will not negatively impact laboratory certifications or equipment calibration, and does not violate the laboratory’s national certification or accreditation standards; 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.
(3) This section does not authorize the presence of defense experts or others representing the defense inside a state-operated laboratory facility where actual testing or analysis is occurring and does not authorize the use of state-operated laboratory equipment or facilities by defense experts or other persons not employed by or acting on the behalf of the department.
(4) The court shall assess the costs of all testing, equipment operation, and personnel and any other costs directly attributable to the court-ordered testing to the defendant or the defendant’s counsel, whether public, private, or pro bono, who obtained the testing order. 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; s. 35, ch. 2013-116.
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 Miami-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; s. 170, ch. 2008-4.
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.
(4) The department 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; s. 2, ch. 2004-249.
943.361 Statewide criminal analysis laboratory system; funding through fine surcharges.—
(1) Funds deposited pursuant to ss. 938.055 and 938.07 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. 938.055 and 938.07 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; s. 3, ch. 2012-125.
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.
History.—s. 1, ch. 98-387; s. 2, ch. 2002-114.
943.366 Federal Grants Trust Fund.—
(1) The Federal Grants Trust Fund is created within the Department of Law Enforcement.
(2) The fund is established for use as a depository for funds to be used for allowable grant activities funded by restricted program revenues. Moneys to be credited to the trust fund shall consist of grants and funding from the Federal Government, interest earnings, and cash advances from other trust funds.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-22; s. 2, ch. 2009-30.
943.367 Administrative Trust Fund.—
(1) The Administrative Trust Fund is created within the Department of Law Enforcement.
(2) The fund is established for use as a depository for funds to be used for management activities that are departmentwide in nature and funded by indirect cost earnings or assessments against trust funds. Moneys to be credited to the trust fund include indirect cost reimbursements from grantors, administrative assessments against trust funds, interest earnings, and other appropriate administrative fees.
(3) 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.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-21; s. 2, ch. 2009-26.
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.
943.403 Rulemaking; criminal justice program.—The Department of Law Enforcement may adopt rules necessary for the operation of the criminal justice program.
History.—s. 6, ch. 2001-232.
943.44353 Automatic notification of registration information regarding sexual predators and offenders.—
(1) No later than January 1, 2008, the department shall develop and maintain a system to provide automatic notification of registration information regarding sexual predators and sexual offenders to the public.
(2) In accordance with the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, schools, public housing agencies, agencies responsible for conducting employment-related background checks under s. 3 of the National Child Protection Act of 1993, 42 U.S.C. s. 5119a, as amended, social service entities responsible for protecting minors in the child welfare system, volunteer organizations in which contact with minors or other vulnerable individuals might occur, and any other such organization, company, or individual shall have access to the notification system.
History.—s. 4, ch. 2007-209.
943.60 Definitions.—For the purposes of ss. 943.60-943.68, the term “Capitol Complex” means that portion of Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, commonly referred to as the Capitol, the Historic Capitol, the Senate Office Building, the House Office Building, the Knott Building, the Pepper Building, the Holland Building, the Elliot Building, the R.A. Gray Building, and the associated parking garages and curtilage of each, including the state-owned lands and public streets adjacent thereto within an area bounded by and including Calhoun Street, East Pensacola Street, Monroe Street, Jefferson Street, West Pensacola Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and Gaines Street. The term includes the State Capital Circle Office Complex located in Leon County, Florida. The term does not include the Supreme Court Building or the public streets adjacent thereto. The portion of the Capitol Complex existing between and including the Elliot Building and the Holland Building within an area bounded by and including Monroe Street, Gaines Street, Calhoun Street, and East Pensacola Street shall be known as “Memorial Park.”
History.—s. 12, ch. 2002-21; s. 4, ch. 2023-242.
943.601 Preservation of legislative powers.—Except as may be agreed to by the presiding officers of both houses of the Legislature, nothing in this chapter shall limit or otherwise interfere with the rights and powers of the Senate or the House of Representatives, or the officers of either, to direct or command members or committees of the Legislature or legislative employees to attend any meeting or enter any area of the Capitol Complex for a legislative purpose, and the Capitol Police may, as provided by the security plans developed and approved under s. 943.61(4)(a), and upon request of the presiding officer of either house of the Legislature, ensure the ability of any member of the house presided over by such presiding officer to attend to such legislative business without wrongful interference from any person or government entity.
History.—s. 13, ch. 2002-21.
943.61 Powers and duties of the Capitol Police.—
(1) There is created the Capitol Police within the Department of Law Enforcement, to serve the safety and security needs of both the legislative and executive branches of state government. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Capitol Police serve as a specially trained and highly effective security and law enforcement agency serving the Capitol Complex and the state. It shall be the primary responsibility of the Capitol Police to protect the security of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the members of the Cabinet, and the members of the Senate and of the House of Representatives, and those employees assigned to assist such state officials in the performance of their official duties, and to ensure their access to buildings and premises within the Capitol Complex, thereby providing for the continuous operation of the government of the State of Florida.
(2) The Capitol Police shall also provide security and protection for other state officials, employees, and visitors to the Capitol Complex and shall maintain a reasonable degree of safety and security within the Capitol Complex while ensuring reasonable access to buildings and premises within the Capitol Complex by state officials, employees, and visitors. The Capitol Police shall also ensure that adequate signs and personnel are in place to inform and assist the occupants of and visitors to buildings within the Capitol Complex.
(3) Nothing herein limits the ability of the Capitol Police to provide mutual aid to other law enforcement agencies as authorized by law unless such a limitation is expressly included in the operational security plans provided for herein.
(4) The Capitol Police shall have the following responsibilities, powers, and duties:
(a) To develop, in consultation with the Governor, Cabinet officers, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, written operational plans for basic and enhanced security measures and actions related to the Capitol Complex. Such plans and any changes or amendments thereto shall not be implemented unless presented in writing in final form to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and all three grant their approval in writing. The approval of any officer required herein shall expire 60 days after such officer vacates his or her office, and the written approval of the successor in office must be obtained prior to the continuation of operations under such plans. Upon the request of the Governor, a Cabinet officer, the President of the Senate, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Capitol Police shall activate previously approved enhanced security measures and actions in accordance with the approved operational plans specific to the requesting officer’s responsibilities and to the facilities occupied by such officer and employees responsible to such officer. Upon an emergency threatening the immediate safety and security of occupants of the Capitol Complex, so declared by the Governor, plans not approved as required by this paragraph may be implemented for a period not to exceed 15 days, provided such plans do not substantially interfere with the ability of the Senate and the House of Representatives to assemble for any constitutional purpose.
(b) To provide and maintain the security of all property located in the Capitol Complex in a manner consistent with the security plans developed and approved under paragraph (a) and, in consultation with the State Fire Marshal, to provide for evacuations, information, and training required for firesafety on such property in a manner consistent with s. 633.218.
(c) To develop plans for reporting incidents involving buildings and property within the Capitol Complex, emergency procedures and evacuation routes in the event of fire, security threats, incidents prompting a need for evacuation, acts of terrorism, or natural or manmade disaster and to make such procedures and routes known to those persons occupying such buildings.
(d) To employ officers who hold certification as law enforcement officers in accordance with the minimum standards and qualifications as set forth in s. 943.13 and the provisions of chapter 110, and who have the authority to bear arms, make arrests, except as may be limited in the security plans established under paragraph (a), and apply for arrest warrants.
(e) To hire guards and administrative, clerical, technical, and other personnel as may be required.
(f) To train all officers and other employees in fire prevention, firesafety, emergency medical procedures, and preventing and responding to acts of terrorism.
(g) To respond to all complaints relating to criminal activity or security threats within the Capitol Complex, or against the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, a member of the Cabinet, a member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives, or an employee assisting such official.
(h) As provided by the security plans developed and approved under paragraph (a), upon request of the presiding officer of either house of the Legislature, the director may assign one or more officers for the protection of a member of the house served by such presiding officer. Per diem and subsistence allowance for department employees traveling with a member of the Legislature away from Tallahassee shall be computed by payment of a sum up to the amounts permitted in s. 112.061 for meals, plus actual expenses for lodging to be substantiated by paid bills therefor.
(i) To enforce rules of the Department of Management Services governing the regulation of traffic and parking within the Capitol Complex and to impound illegally or wrongfully parked vehicles.
(j) To establish policies for the organizational structure, principles of command, and internal operations of the Capitol Police, provided that such policies are not inconsistent with the provisions of ss. 943.61-943.68 or the security plans developed and approved under paragraph (a).
(k) To carry out the transportation and protective services functions described in s. 943.68.
(5) Officers of the Capitol Police may make lawful arrests, consistent with the purposes, responsibilities, and limitations set forth in ss. 943.60-943.68. However, except with the prior approval of the appropriate presiding officer, officers of the Capitol Police shall have no power to prevent the convening or continuation of any meeting of the Legislature, legislative committees, or staff, nor shall they have the power to interfere with the legislative duties or rights of a member of the Legislature, or to interfere with the constitutional duties or rights of the Governor or a member of the Cabinet, except as may be necessary to protect the health and safety of any person from a clear and present danger, or as may be otherwise provided in the security plans developed and approved for fire prevention, firesafety, and emergency medical procedures under paragraph (4)(a). No employee of the Capitol Police shall be permitted in either legislative chamber without the specific permission of the presiding officer of that house of the Legislature, but may enter in the case of an emergency when the presiding officer is not able or available to consent.
History.—s. 14, ch. 2002-21; s. 1, ch. 2005-120; s. 58, ch. 2005-152; s. 155, ch. 2013-183.
943.611 Director of Capitol Police.—
(1) The executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement shall nominate, no later than 7 days prior to each organization session of the Legislature, an individual to serve as the director of the Capitol Police, who shall serve at the pleasure of the executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement.
(2) Unless discharged by the executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement, the director shall serve until:
(a) A successor has been nominated; or
(b) The director has been nominated for reappointment and the time for obtaining reapproval has expired.
(3) In the event that a nominee is not approved or the director is discharged by the executive director of the department, or the position is otherwise vacant, a successor shall be nominated and approved as provided in subsection (4). No person who has previously been nominated and who failed to obtain approval shall be nominated to serve as the successor.
(4) Each person nominated pursuant to either subsection (1) or subsection (3) must be approved no later than 30 days after the adjournment sine die of the next session of the Legislature, whether organization, regular, or special session, by the Governor and by the House of Representatives and the Senate, in a manner determined by the presiding officer of each house unless an approval process is otherwise provided for in the rules of the respective house.
(5) A nominee shall serve as the acting director until the time for obtaining approval has expired.
(6) At the discretion of the executive director of the department, the director may serve as the director of the unit within the department providing transportation and protective services as set forth in s. 943.68.
History.—s. 15, ch. 2002-21; s. 2, ch. 2005-120.
943.62 Investigations by the Capitol Police.—
(1) In addition to, and in conjunction with, the other powers and duties specified by law, the Capitol Police shall conduct traffic accident investigations and investigations relating to felonies and misdemeanors occurring within the Capitol Complex. Any matters may be referred to the department’s special agents or inspectors or another appropriate law enforcement agency for further investigation. Such referrals shall include transmittal of records, reports, statements, and all other information relating to such matters.
(2) The Capitol Police shall retain copies of all reports relating to such criminal activity for use in the ongoing firesafety and security plan as required in s. 943.61.
History.—s. 16, ch. 2002-21; s. 3, ch. 2005-120.
943.63 Arrest by the Capitol Police.—A person arrested by an officer of the Capitol Police shall be delivered to the sheriff of the county in which the arrest takes place unless a notice to appear is issued.
History.—s. 17, ch. 2002-21.
943.64 Ex officio agents.—Law enforcement officers of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, special agents or inspectors of the Department of Law Enforcement, and law enforcement officers of other state agencies, counties, and municipalities are ex officio agents of the Capitol Police, and may, when authorized by the executive director of the department or the executive director’s designee, enforce rules and laws applicable to the powers and duties of the Capitol Police to provide and maintain the security required by ss. 943.61-943.68.
History.—s. 18, ch. 2002-21; s. 4, ch. 2005-120.
943.66 Rules; Facilities Program, Capitol Police; traffic regulation.—The Capitol Police may enforce rules of the Department of Management Services governing the administration, operation, and management of the Facilities Program and regulating traffic and parking at state-owned buildings or on state-owned property and any local ordinance on the violation of such if such rules are not in conflict with any state law or county or municipal ordinance, and are not inconsistent with the other requirements of ss. 943.61-943.68 or any security plan developed and approved thereunder.
History.—s. 19, ch. 2002-21; s. 111, ch. 2003-1.
943.67 Equipment.—The department is specifically authorized to purchase, sell, trade, rent, lease, and maintain all necessary equipment, uniforms, motor vehicles, communication systems, housing facilities, and office space, and perform any other acts necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of ss. 943.61-943.68 through the Capitol Police, pursuant to part I of chapter 287. The department may prescribe a distinctive uniform to be worn by personnel of the Capitol Police in the performance of their duties pursuant to s. 943.61. The department may prescribe a distinctive emblem to be worn by all officers or guards of the Capitol Police.
History.—s. 20, ch. 2002-21.
943.68 Transportation and protective services.—
(1) The department shall provide and maintain the security of the Governor, the Governor’s immediate family, and the Governor’s office and mansion and the grounds thereof.
(2) The department shall employ such personnel as may be necessary to carry out this responsibility, including uniformed and nonuniformed officers or agents who shall have authority to bear arms and make arrests, with or without warrant, for violations of any of the criminal laws of the state, under the same terms and conditions as investigative personnel of the department, and who shall be considered peace officers for all purposes, including, but not limited to, the privileges, protections, and benefits of ss. 112.19, 121.051, 122.34, and 870.05.
(3) The executive director shall assign agents for the performance of the duties prescribed in this section. The assignment of such agents shall be subject to continuing approval of the Governor. Upon request of the Governor, the executive director shall reassign an agent from continued performance of such duties. The executive director may authorize the Director of Capitol Police to exercise the authority provided in this subsection.
(4) Per diem and subsistence allowance for security personnel traveling with the Governor, the Governor’s family, or others as authorized by this section away from Tallahassee shall be computed by payment of a sum up to the amounts permitted in s. 112.061 for meals, plus actual expenses for lodging to be substantiated by paid bills therefor.
(5) The department is authorized to provide security or transportation to visiting governors and their families upon request by the Governor.
(6) The department shall provide security or transportation services to other persons when requested by the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, a member of the Cabinet, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, or the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, subject to certification by the requesting party that such services are in the best interest of the state. The requesting party may delegate certification authority to the executive director of the department. The requesting party shall limit such services to persons:
(a) Who are visiting the state; for whom such services are requested by the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, a member of the Cabinet, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, or the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; and for whom the primary purpose of the visit is for a significant public purpose; or
(b) For whom the failure to provide security or transportation could result in a clear and present danger to the personal safety of such persons or to the safety of other persons or property within this state or could result in public embarrassment to the state.
(7) The department is authorized to coordinate transportation and protective services provided under subsections (1), (5), and (6) with other law enforcement agencies and may request the assistance of other law enforcement agencies to carry out the duties required by subsections (1), (5), and (6). The other law enforcement agencies of the state are authorized to provide such assistance as may be requested by the department under this subsection.
(8) The department shall coordinate all protective services with the United States Department of State and the United States Secret Service when requested to do so by such agencies or by the Governor or a member of the Cabinet.
(9) The department shall submit a report each August 15 to the Governor, the Legislature, and the Cabinet detailing all transportation and protective services provided under subsections (1), (5), and (6) within the preceding fiscal year. Each report shall include a detailed accounting of the cost of such transportation and protective services, including the names of persons provided such services and the nature of state business performed.
(10)(a) Records held by a law enforcement agency relating to security or transportation services provided under subsection (1), subsection (5), or subsection (6) are exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. This exemption applies to records held by a law enforcement agency before, on, or after May 11, 2023.
(b) This subsection is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2028, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
History.—s. 4, ch. 74-386; s. 1, ch. 79-8; s. 1, ch. 81-52; s. 1, ch. 83-304; s. 196, ch. 95-148; s. 21, ch. 2002-21; s. 10, ch. 2005-100; s. 5, ch. 2005-120; s. 162, ch. 2010-102; s. 36, ch. 2013-116; ss. 1, 3, ch. 2023-58.
Note.—Former s. 14.071; s. 281.20.
943.681 Capitol Police program; funding.—Funds shall be transferred quarterly, beginning July 1, 2002, by the Department of Management Services, from the Supervision Trust Fund, to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for the purpose of funding the Capitol Police program. Funds are provided from the office space rental receipts assessed to tenant agencies in the Florida Facilities Pool, based on the rental assessment mandated in s. 255.51. Transfers shall be based on the existing rental rate on July 1, 2002, unless otherwise appropriated by the Legislature. Additionally, nothing herein shall limit the Capitol Police from providing for the safety and security needs of the archaeological, archival, and historic treasures and artifacts housed in the Historic Capitol or the R.A. Gray Building, as the official capitol repositories, from funds provided by the Department of State.
History.—s. 3, ch. 2002-21; s. 7, ch. 2005-120.
943.685 Authority to purchase good will and promotional materials.—
(1) The Legislature recognizes that the Department of Law Enforcement functions as one of the state’s primary law enforcement representatives in national and international meetings, conferences, and cooperative efforts. The department often hosts delegates from other federal, state, local, and international agencies and is in a position to function as a representative of the state fostering good will and effective interagency working relationships. It is the intent of the Legislature that the department be allowed, consistent with the dignity and integrity of the state, to purchase and distribute material and items of collection to those with whom the department has contact in meetings, conferences, and cooperative efforts.
(2) In addition to expenditures separately authorized by law, the department may expend not more than $5,000 annually to purchase and distribute promotional materials or items that serve to advance with dignity and integrity the good will of this state and the department and to provide basic refreshments at official functions, seminars, or meetings of the department in which dignitaries or representatives from the Federal Government, other states or nationalities, or other agencies are in attendance.
History.—s. 18, ch. 2006-176.
943.686 Unauthorized use of Department of Law Enforcement emblems or names prohibited.—
(1) Whoever, except with the written permission of the executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement or as otherwise expressly authorized by the department, knowingly uses the words “Florida Department of Law Enforcement,” the initials “F.D.L.E.” or “FDLE,” or the words “Florida Capitol Police,” or any colorable imitation of such words or initials, or who uses a logo or emblem used by the department in connection with any advertisement, circular, book, pamphlet, or other publication, play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production, in any Internet web page or upon any product in a manner reasonably calculated to convey the impression that such advertisement, circular, book, pamphlet, or other publication, play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production, Internet web page, or product is approved, endorsed, or authorized by the Department of Law Enforcement commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(2) A violation of this section may be enjoined upon suit by the department or the Department of Legal Affairs upon complaint filed in any court of competent jurisdiction.
History.—s. 19, ch. 2006-176.
943.687 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission.—
(1) There is created within the Department of Law Enforcement the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, a commission as defined in s. 20.03.
(2)(a) The commission shall convene no later than June 1, 2018, and shall be composed of 16 members. Five members shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, five members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and five members shall be appointed by the Governor. From the members of the commission, the Governor shall appoint the chair. Appointments must be made by April 30, 2018. The Commissioner of the Department of Law Enforcement shall serve as a member of the commission. The Secretary of Children and Families, the Secretary of Juvenile Justice, the Secretary of Health Care Administration, and the Commissioner of Education shall serve as ex officio, nonvoting members of the commission. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the officer who appointed the member. A vacancy on the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(b) The General Counsel of the Department of Law Enforcement shall serve as the general counsel for the commission.
(c) The Department of Law Enforcement staff, as assigned by the chair, shall assist the commission in performing its duties.
(d) The commission shall meet as necessary to conduct its work at the call of the chair and at the time designated by him or her at locations throughout the state. The commission may conduct its meetings through teleconferences or other similar means.
(e) Members of the commission are entitled to receive reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses pursuant to s. 112.061.
(3) The commission shall monitor implementation of school safety legislation by:
(a) Evaluating the activities of the Office of Safe Schools to provide guidance to school districts, identifying areas of noncompliance and mechanisms used to achieve compliance.
(b) Reviewing the findings of the Auditor General regarding school district school safety policies and procedures that need improvement to ensure and demonstrate compliance with state law.
(c) Reviewing school hardening grant expenditures and evaluating such expenditures based on the report of the School Hardening and Harm Mitigation Workgroup, recommendations of law enforcement agencies pursuant to s. 1006.07(8), and the return on investment analysis required by s. 1006.1493.
(d) Evaluating the utilization of the centralized integrated data repository by schools and its effectiveness in conducting threat assessments.
(e) Assessing efforts by local governments to improve communication and coordination among regional emergency communications systems.
(f) Investigating any failures in incident responses by local law enforcement agencies and school resource officers.
1. Identifying existing policies and procedures for active assailant incidents on school premises and evaluating the compliance with such policies and procedures in the execution of incident responses.
2. Evaluating the extent to which any failures in policy, procedure, or execution may contribute to an inability to prevent deaths and injuries.
3. Making specific recommendations for improving law enforcement and school resource officer responses to incidents.
(g) Investigating any failures in interactions with perpetrators preceding incidents of violence.
1. Evaluating the extent to which any such failures contributed to an inability to prevent deaths and injuries.
2. Making specific recommendations for improving communication and coordination among entities with knowledge of indicators of risk or possible threats of violence.
(4) The commission has the power to investigate. The commission may delegate to its investigators the authority to administer oaths and affirmations.
(5) The Commissioner of the Department of Law Enforcement shall use his or her subpoena power to compel the attendance of witnesses to testify before the commission. The Commissioner of the Department of Law Enforcement shall use his or her subpoena power to compel the production of any books, papers, records, documentary evidence, and other items, including confidential information, relevant to the performance of the duties of the commission or to the exercise of its powers. The chair or any other member of the commission may administer all oaths and affirmations in the manner prescribed by law to witnesses who appear before the commission for the purpose of testifying in any matter of which the commission desires evidence. In the case of a refusal to obey a subpoena, the commission may make application to any circuit court of this state having jurisdiction to order the witness to appear before the commission and to produce evidence, if so ordered, or to give testimony relevant to the matter in question. Failure to obey the order may be punished by the court as contempt.
(6) The commission may call upon appropriate agencies of state government for such professional assistance as may be needed in the discharge of its duties, and such agencies shall provide such assistance in a timely manner.
(7) Notwithstanding any other law, the commission may request and shall be provided with access to any information or records, including exempt or confidential and exempt information or records, which pertain to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting and prior mass violence incidents in Florida being reviewed by the commission and which are necessary for the commission to carry out its duties. Information or records obtained by the commission which are otherwise exempt or confidential and exempt shall retain such exempt or confidential and exempt status, and the commission may not disclose any such information or records.
(8) Any portion of a meeting of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission at which exempt or confidential and exempt information is discussed is exempt from s. 286.011 and s. 24(b), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(9) The commission shall submit an initial report on its findings and recommendations to the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives by January 1, 2019, and may issue reports annually thereafter. The commission shall sunset July 1, 2026, and this section is repealed on that date.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2018-1; s. 20, ch. 2018-3; s. 2, ch. 2022-174; s. 1, ch. 2023-61.
943.6871 Criminal justice data transparency.—In order to facilitate the availability of comparable and uniform criminal justice data, the department shall:
(1) Collect, compile, maintain, and manage the data submitted by local and state entities pursuant to s. 900.05 and coordinate related activities to collect and submit data. The department shall create a unique identifier for each criminal case received from the clerks of court which identifies the person who is the subject of the criminal case. The unique identifier must be the same for that person in any court case and used across local and state entities for all information related to that person at any time. The unique identifier shall be randomly created and may not include any portion of the person’s social security number or date of birth.
(2) Promote criminal justice data sharing by making such data received under s. 900.05 comparable, transferable, and readily usable.
(3) Create and maintain an Internet-based database of criminal justice data received under s. 900.05 in a modern, open, electronic format that is machine-readable and readily accessible through an application program interface. The database shall allow the public to search, at a minimum, by each data element, county, judicial circuit, or unique identifier. The department may not require a license or charge a fee to access or receive information from the database.
(4) Develop written agreements with local, state, and federal agencies to facilitate criminal justice data sharing.
(5) Establish by rule:
(a) Requirements for the entities subject to the requirements of s. 900.05 to submit data through an application program interface.
(b) A data catalog defining data objects, describing data fields, and detailing the meaning of and options for each data element reported pursuant to s. 900.05.
(c) How data collected pursuant to s. 900.05 is compiled, processed, structured, used, or shared. The rule shall provide for tagging all information associated with each case number and unique identifier.
(d) Requirements for implementing and monitoring the Internet-based database under subsection (3).
(e) How information contained in the Internet-based database under subsection (3) is accessed by the public.
(6) Consult with local, state, and federal criminal justice agencies and other public and private users of the database under subsection (3) on the data elements collected under s. 900.05, the use of such data, and adding data elements to be collected.
(7) Monitor data collection procedures and test data quality to facilitate the dissemination of accurate, valid, reliable, and complete criminal justice data.
(8) Develop methods for archiving data, retrieving archived data, and data editing and verification.
(9) Keep all information received by the department under s. 900.05 which is confidential and exempt when collected by the reporting agency confidential and exempt for purposes of this section and s. 900.05.
(10)(a) By October 1, 2019, assist the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council in developing specifications for a uniform arrest affidavit to be used by each state, county, and municipal law enforcement agency to facilitate complete, accurate, and timely collection and reporting of data from each criminal offense arrest. The uniform arrest affidavit must at a minimum include all of the following:
1. Identification of the arrestee.
2. Details of the arrest, including each charge.
3. Details of each vehicle and item seized at the time of arrest.
4. Juvenile arrestee information.
5. Release information.
The uniform arrest affidavit specifications must also include guidelines for developing a uniform criminal charge and disposition statute crosswalk table to be used by each law enforcement agency, state attorney, and jail administrator; and guidelines for developing a uniform criminal disposition and sentencing statute crosswalk table to be used by each clerk of the court.
(b) By January 1, 2020, subject to appropriation, the department shall procure a uniform arrest affidavit, a uniform criminal charge and disposition statute crosswalk table, and a uniform criminal disposition and sentencing statute crosswalk table following the specifications developed under paragraph (a). The department shall provide training on use of the affidavit and crosswalk tables to each state, county, and municipal law enforcement agency, clerk of the court, state attorney, and jail administrator, as appropriate.
(c) By July 1, 2020, each state, county, and municipal law enforcement agency must use the uniform arrest affidavit, each state attorney and jail administrator must use the uniform criminal charge and statute crosswalk table, and each clerk of the court must use the uniform criminal disposition and sentencing statute crosswalk table.
History.—s. 7, ch. 2018-127; s. 53, ch. 2019-167.
943.6872 Use of force data collection.—Beginning July 1, 2022, each law enforcement agency in the state shall report quarterly to the department data regarding use of force by the law enforcement officers employed by the agency that results in serious bodily injury, death, or discharge of a firearm at a person. The data shall include all information collected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Use-of-Force Data Collection.
History.—s. 7, ch. 2021-241.
943.6873 Active assailant response policy.—For the protection of all persons in this state, it is necessary and required that every law enforcement agency in this state be prepared to respond to an active assailant event. To be adequately prepared, each law enforcement agency must create and maintain an active assailant response policy.
(1) By October 1, 2023, each law enforcement agency in this state shall have a written active assailant response policy that:
(a) Is consistent with the agency’s response capabilities; and
(b) Includes response procedures specifying the command protocol and coordination with other law enforcement agencies.
(2)(a) The department shall make the model active assailant response policy developed by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission available on its website. The department may also make available any other policies deemed appropriate by the executive director which may guide a law enforcement agency in developing its active assailant response policy.
(b) Each law enforcement agency must review the model active assailant response policy developed by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission when developing its active assailant response policy.
(3) Each law enforcement agency shall ensure that all of its sworn personnel have been trained on the agency’s existing active assailant response policy, or that sworn personnel are trained within 180 days after enacting a new or revised policy. Each law enforcement agency must ensure that all of its sworn personnel receive, at minimum, annual training on the active assailant response policy.
(4) By October 1, 2023, each law enforcement agency shall provide written certification to the department from the head of the law enforcement agency verifying that the agency has officially adopted a written active assailant response policy.
(5) By January 1, 2024, the department shall submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives identifying each law enforcement agency that has not complied with the requirements of this section.
History.—s. 18, ch. 2023-18.
943.69 Care for Retired Police Dogs Program.—
(1) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.—The Legislature finds that:
(a) Police dogs are an integral part of many law enforcement and correctional efforts statewide, including the apprehension of suspects through tracking and searching, evidence location, drug and bomb detection, and search and rescue operations.
(b) Law enforcement and correctional agencies agree that the use of police dogs is an extremely cost-effective means of crime control and that police dogs possess skills and abilities that frequently exceed those of existing technology.
(c) The service of police dogs is often dangerous and can expose them to injury at a rate higher than that of nonservice dogs.
(d) Police dogs provide significant contributions to the residents of this state.
(2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Correctional agency” means a lawfully established state or local public agency having primary responsibility for the supervision, protection, care, custody, control, or investigation of inmates at a correctional institution.
(b) “Law enforcement agency” means a lawfully established state or local public agency having primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of crime or the enforcement of penal, traffic, highway, regulatory, game, immigration, postal, customs, or controlled substance laws.
(c) “Retired police dog” means a dog that was previously in the service of or employed by a law enforcement agency or a correctional agency in this state for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of criminal activity, enforcement of laws, or apprehension of offenders and that received certification in obedience and apprehension work from a certifying organization, such as the National Police Canine Association, Inc., or other certifying organization.
(d) “Veterinarian” has the same meaning as in s. 474.202.
(e) “Veterinary care” means the practice, by a veterinarian, of veterinary medicine as defined in s. 474.202. The term includes annual wellness examinations, vaccinations, internal and external parasite prevention treatments, testing and treatment of illnesses and diseases, medications, emergency care and surgeries, veterinary oncology or other specialty care, euthanasia, and cremation.
(3) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.—The Care for Retired Police Dogs Program is created within the department to provide a stable funding source for the veterinary care for retired police dogs.
(4) ADMINISTRATION.—The department shall contract with a nonprofit corporation organized under chapter 617 to administer and manage the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program. Notwithstanding chapter 287, the department shall select the nonprofit corporation through a competitive grant award process. The nonprofit corporation must meet all of the following criteria:
(a) Be dedicated to the protection or care of retired police dogs.
(b) Be exempt from taxation under s. 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in s. 501(c)(3) of that code.
(c) Have maintained such tax-exempt status for at least 5 years.
(d) Agree to be subject to review and audit at the discretion of the Auditor General in order to ensure accurate accounting and disbursement of state funds.
(e) Demonstrate the ability to effectively and efficiently disseminate information and to assist former handlers and adopters of retired police dogs in complying with this section.
(5) FUNDING.—
(a) The nonprofit corporation shall be the disbursing authority for funds the Legislature appropriates to the department for the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program. These funds must be disbursed to the former handler or the adopter of a retired police dog that served for 5 years or more as a police dog upon receipt of:
1. Valid documentation from the law enforcement agency or correctional agency from which the dog retired which verifies that the dog was in the service of or employed by that agency; and
a. That the dog served 5 years or more with that agency;
b. Documentation showing that the dog served a total of 5 years or more with two or more law enforcement agencies or correctional agencies; or
c. That, notwithstanding the length of service requirements elsewhere in this paragraph, the dog served 3 years or more with one or more law enforcement agencies or correctional agencies, was injured in the line of duty while serving with a law enforcement agency or correctional agency, and retired from the agency the dog was serving with at the time of the injury due to such injury; and
2. A valid invoice from a veterinarian for veterinary care provided in this state to a retired police dog and documentation establishing payment of the invoice by the former handler or the adopter of the retired police dog.
(b) Annual disbursements to a former handler or an adopter to reimburse him or her for the cost of the retired police dog’s veterinary care may not exceed $1,500 per dog. A former handler or an adopter of a retired police dog may not accumulate unused funds from a current year for use in a future year.
(c) A former handler or an adopter of a retired police dog who seeks reimbursement for veterinary care may not receive reimbursement if funds appropriated for the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program are depleted in the year for which the reimbursement is sought.
(6) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—The department shall pay to the nonprofit corporation, and the nonprofit corporation may use, up to 10 percent of appropriated funds for its administrative expenses, including salaries and benefits.
(7) RULEMAKING.—The department shall adopt rules to implement this section.
(8) APPROPRIATION.—For the 2022-2023 fiscal year, and each fiscal year thereafter, the sum of $300,000 in recurring funds is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Law Enforcement for the purpose of implementing and administering the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program.
History.—ss. 2, 3, ch. 2022-188.