Senate Bill 1546

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    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 1546

    By Senator Brown-Waite





    10-956-00

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to rulemaking authority of the

  3         Department of Law Enforcement (RAB); amending

  4         s. 943.03, F.S.; authorizing the Department of

  5         Law Enforcement to adopt rules defining

  6         misconduct and setting standards for

  7         disciplinary action for department employees;

  8         amending ss. 943.131, 943.14, F.S.; authorizing

  9         the Criminal Justice Standards and Training

10         Commission to adopt rules for determining

11         whether certain applicants are exempt from the

12         training requirements for basic recruits;

13         authorizing the commission to establish, by

14         rule, procedures for certifying and

15         disciplining instructors in criminal justice

16         training schools; amending ss. 316.1932,

17         322.63, 327.352, F.S.; providing requirements

18         for the Alcohol Testing Program within the

19         department with respect to the certification,

20         operation, and inspection of breath-test

21         instruments and the instruction and

22         certification of persons who operate

23         breath-test instruments; specifying duties of

24         the program for enforcing the provisions of ch.

25         316, ch. 322, and ch. 327, F.S., which prohibit

26         driving or boating under the influence of

27         alcohol or controlled substances; providing an

28         effective date.

29

30  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 1546
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  1         Section 1.  Subsection (4) of section 943.03, Florida

  2  Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         943.03  Department of Law Enforcement.--

  4         (4)  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to ss.

  5  120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer implement the provisions

  6  of law this chapter conferring powers or duties upon it. The

  7  department may adopt rules that define acts of misconduct and

  8  set standards of disciplinary action for its employees.

  9         Section 2.  Subsection (2) of section 943.131, Florida

10  Statutes, is amended to read:

11         943.131  Temporary employment or appointment; minimum

12  basic recruit training exemption.--

13         (2)  If an applicant seeks an exemption from completing

14  a commission-approved basic recruit training program, the

15  employing agency must verify that the applicant has

16  successfully completed a comparable basic recruit training

17  program in another state or for the Federal Government.

18  Further, the employing agency must verify that the applicant

19  has served as a full-time sworn officer in another state or

20  for the Federal Government for at least one year.  When the

21  employing agency obtains written documentation regarding the

22  applicant's criminal justice experience, the documentation

23  must be submitted to the commission.  The commission shall

24  adopt rules that establish criteria and procedures to

25  determine whether if the applicant is exempt from completing

26  the commission-approved basic recruit training program, and,

27  upon making a determination, shall notify the employing

28  agency.  If the applicant is exempt from completing the

29  commission-approved basic recruit training program, the

30  applicant must complete training, as required by the

31  commission by rule, in areas which include, but are not

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    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 1546
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  1  limited to, defensive driving, defensive tactics, firearms

  2  training, and first responder training.  Except as provided in

  3  subsection (1), before the employing agency may employ or

  4  appoint the applicant as an officer, the applicant must meet

  5  the minimum qualifications described in s. 943.13(1)-(8), and

  6  must fulfill the requirements of s. 943.13(10).

  7         Section 3.  Subsection (3) of section 943.14, Florida

  8  Statutes, is amended to read:

  9         943.14  Criminal justice training schools; certificates

10  and diplomas; exemptions; injunctive relief; fines.--

11         (3)  The commission shall establish, by rule,

12  certification procedures for the certification and discipline

13  of all instructors in any criminal justice training school.

14         Section 4.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section

15  316.1932, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

16         316.1932  Breath, blood, and urine tests for alcohol,

17  chemical substances, or controlled substances; implied

18  consent; right to refuse.--

19         (1)(a)  Any person who accepts the privilege extended

20  by the laws of this state of operating a motor vehicle within

21  this state is, by so operating such vehicle, deemed to have

22  given his or her consent to submit to an approved chemical

23  test or physical test including, but not limited to, an

24  infrared light test of his or her breath for the purpose of

25  determining the alcoholic content of his or her blood or

26  breath, and to a urine test for the purpose of detecting the

27  presence of chemical substances as set forth in s. 877.111 or

28  controlled substances, if the person is lawfully arrested for

29  any offense allegedly committed while the person was driving

30  or was in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while

31  under the influence of alcoholic beverages, chemical

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  1  substances, or controlled substances.  The chemical or

  2  physical breath test must be incidental to a lawful arrest and

  3  administered at the request of a law enforcement officer who

  4  has reasonable cause to believe such person was driving or was

  5  in actual physical control of the motor vehicle within this

  6  state while under the influence of alcoholic beverages. The

  7  urine test must be incidental to a lawful arrest and

  8  administered at a detention facility or any other facility,

  9  mobile or otherwise, which is equipped to administer such

10  tests at the request of a law enforcement officer who has

11  reasonable cause to believe such person was driving or was in

12  actual physical control of a motor vehicle within this state

13  while under the influence of controlled substances. The urine

14  test shall be administered at a detention facility or any

15  other facility, mobile or otherwise, which is equipped to

16  administer such tests in a reasonable manner that will ensure

17  the accuracy of the specimen and maintain the privacy of the

18  individual involved. The administration of one type of test

19  does not preclude the administration of another type of test.

20  The person shall be told that his or her failure to submit to

21  any lawful test of his or her breath or urine, or both, will

22  result in the suspension of the person's privilege to operate

23  a motor vehicle for a period of 1 year for a first refusal, or

24  for a period of 18 months if the driving privilege of such

25  person has been previously suspended as a result of a refusal

26  to submit to such a test or tests.  The refusal to submit to a

27  chemical or physical breath test or to a urine test upon the

28  request of a law enforcement officer as provided in this

29  section is admissible into evidence in any criminal

30  proceeding.

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  1         1.  The Alcohol Testing Program within the Department

  2  of Law Enforcement shall administer the certification,

  3  operation, and inspection of breath-test instruments used

  4  under the provisions of this chapter, chapter 322, or chapter

  5  327 which prohibit driving or boating under the influence of

  6  alcohol or controlled substances. The program shall administer

  7  rules governing individuals who operate, inspect, and provide

  8  instruction for operating breath-test instruments. The program

  9  shall administer rules governing blood analysts who conduct

10  blood tests used to enforce the provisions of this chapter,

11  chapter 322, or chapter 327 which prohibit driving or boating

12  under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. The

13  Alcohol Testing Program may:

14         a.  Establish uniform criteria for issuing permits to

15  breath-test operators, agency inspectors, instructors, and

16  blood analysts and for certifying instruments.

17         b.  Issue permits to breath-test operators, agency

18  inspectors, instructors, and blood analysts and permits

19  certifying instruments.

20         c.  Discipline, suspend, revoke, or renew permits of

21  breath-test operators, agency inspectors, instructors, or

22  blood analysts and suspend, revoke, or renew permits

23  certifying instruments.

24         d.  Establish uniform requirements for a course of

25  instruction and curricula for obtaining a permit to operate or

26  inspect approved instruments.

27         e.  Specify a single approved curriculum for obtaining

28  a permit to operate or inspect approved instruments.

29         f.  Establish a procedure for approving courses for

30  breath-test operators and agency inspectors.

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  1         g.  Approve breath-test instruments and accompanying

  2  paraphernalia used to enforce the provisions of this chapter,

  3  chapter 322, or chapter 327 which prohibit driving or boating

  4  under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.

  5         h.  With the approval of the executive director of the

  6  Department of Law Enforcement, make and enter into contracts

  7  and agreements with other agencies, organizations,

  8  associations, corporations, individuals, or federal agencies

  9  which are necessary or incidental to performing its duties.

10         i.  Issue final orders, including findings of fact and

11  conclusions of law, which constitute final agency action for

12  purposes of chapter 120.

13         j.  Enforce compliance with this section through civil

14  or administrative proceedings.

15         k.  Make recommendations to the Department of Law

16  Enforcement concerning any matter within the purview of this

17  chapter, chapter 322, or chapter 327.

18         l.  Adopt rules to administer this subparagraph,

19  including the definition of terms.

20         m.  Consult and cooperate with other entities for the

21  purpose of administering this subparagraph.

22         n.  Approve the type of blood test used under the

23  provisions of this chapter, chapter 322, or chapter 327 which

24  prohibit driving or boating under the influence of alcohol or

25  controlled substances.

26         o.  Specify techniques and methods for conducting

27  breath-alcohol testing and blood testing used under the

28  provisions of this chapter, chapter 322, or chapter 327 which

29  prohibit driving or boating under the influence of alcohol or

30  controlled substances.

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  1         p.  Approve repair facilities for breath-test

  2  instruments and establish the criteria for such approval.

  3         2.  Subparagraph 1. does not supersede any other

  4  provision of this chapter, chapter 322, or chapter 327.

  5         3.  The requirements of subparagraph 1. are derived

  6  from the authority otherwise possessed by the Department of

  7  Law Enforcement and are enumerated to comply with chapter

  8  99-379, Laws of Florida.

  9         Section 5.  Subsection (3) of section 322.63, Florida

10  Statutes, is amended to read:

11         322.63  Alcohol or drug testing; commercial motor

12  vehicle operators.--

13         (3)(a)  The physical and chemical tests authorized in

14  this section must shall be administered substantially in

15  accordance with rules adopted by the Department of Law

16  Enforcement. Such rules shall be adopted after public hearing,

17  shall specify the tests that are approved, and shall provide

18  an approved method of administration.

19         (b)  The Department of Law Enforcement is authorized to

20  approve techniques or methods for administering such physical

21  and chemical tests. Any insubstantial differences between

22  approved techniques and actual testing procedures in any

23  individual case does not render the test or tests results

24  invalid.

25         (b)1.  The Alcohol Testing Program within the

26  Department of Law Enforcement shall administer the

27  certification, operation, and inspection of breath-test

28  instruments used under the provisions of chapter 316, this

29  chapter, or chapter 327 which prohibit driving or boating

30  under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. The

31  program shall administer rules governing individuals who

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    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 1546
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  1  operate, inspect, and provide instruction for operating

  2  breath-test instruments. The program shall administer rules

  3  governing blood analysts who conduct blood tests used to

  4  enforce the provisions of chapter 316, this chapter, or

  5  chapter 327 which prohibit driving or boating under the

  6  influence of alcohol or controlled substances. The Alcohol

  7  Testing Program may:

  8         a.  Establish uniform criteria for issuing permits to

  9  breath-test operators, agency inspectors, instructors, and

10  blood analysts and for certifying instruments.

11         b.  Issue permits to breath-test operators, agency

12  inspectors, instructors, and blood analysts and permits

13  certifying instruments.

14         c.  Discipline, suspend, revoke, or renew permits of

15  breath-test operators, agency inspectors, instructors, or

16  blood analysts and suspend, revoke, or renew permits

17  certifying instruments.

18         d.  Establish uniform requirements for a course of

19  instruction and curricula for obtaining a permit to operate or

20  inspect approved instruments.

21         e.  Specify a single approved curriculum for obtaining

22  a permit to operate or inspect approved instruments.

23         f.  Establish a procedure for approving courses for

24  breath-test operators and agency inspectors.

25         g.  Approve breath-test instruments and accompanying

26  paraphernalia used to enforce the provisions of chapter 316,

27  this chapter, or chapter 327 which prohibit driving or boating

28  under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.

29         h.  With the approval of the executive director of the

30  Department of Law Enforcement, make and enter into contracts

31  and agreements with other agencies, organizations,

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  1  associations, corporations, individuals, or federal agencies

  2  which are necessary or incidental to performing its duties.

  3         i.  Issue final orders, including findings of fact and

  4  conclusions of law, which constitute final agency action for

  5  purposes of chapter 120.

  6         j.  Enforce compliance with this section through civil

  7  or administrative proceedings.

  8         k.  Make recommendations to the Department of Law

  9  Enforcement concerning any matter within the purview of this

10  chapter, chapter 322, or chapter 327.

11         l.  Adopt rules to administer this subparagraph,

12  including the definition of terms.

13         m.  Consult and cooperate with other entities for the

14  purpose of administering this subparagraph.

15         n.  Approve the type of blood test used under the

16  provisions of chapter 316, this chapter, or chapter 327 which

17  prohibit driving or boating under the influence of alcohol or

18  controlled substances.

19         o.  Specify techniques and methods for conducting

20  breath-alcohol testing and blood testing used under the

21  provisions of chapter 316, this chapter, or chapter 327 which

22  prohibit driving or boating under the influence of alcohol or

23  controlled substances.

24         p.  Approve repair facilities for breath-test

25  instruments and establish the criteria for such approval.

26         2.  Subparagraph 1. does not supersede any other

27  provision of chapter 316, this chapter, or chapter 327.

28         3.  The requirements of subparagraph 1. are derived

29  from the authority otherwise possessed by the Department of

30  Law Enforcement and are enumerated to comply with chapter

31  99-379, Laws of Florida.

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  1         (c)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this

  2  section, the failure of a law enforcement officer to request

  3  the withdrawal of blood shall not affect the admissibility of

  4  a test of blood withdrawn for medical purposes.

  5         Section 6.  Paragraphs (b) and (e) of subsection (1) of

  6  section 327.352, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

  7         327.352  Breath, blood, and urine tests for alcohol,

  8  chemical substances, or controlled substances; implied

  9  consent; right to refuse.--

10         (1)

11         (b)1.  The blood-alcohol level must be based upon grams

12  of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. The breath-alcohol

13  level must be based upon grams of alcohol per 210 liters of

14  breath.

15         2.  An analysis of a person's breath, in order to be

16  considered valid under this section, must have been performed

17  substantially according to methods approved by the Department

18  of Law Enforcement. For this purpose, the department may

19  approve satisfactory techniques or methods.  Any insubstantial

20  differences between approved techniques and actual testing

21  procedures in any individual case do not render the test or

22  test results invalid.

23         3.  The Alcohol Testing Program within the Department

24  of Law Enforcement shall administer the certification,

25  operation, and inspection of breath-test instruments used

26  under the provisions of chapter 316, chapter 322, or this

27  chapter which prohibit driving or boating under the influence

28  of alcohol or controlled substances. The program shall

29  administer rules governing individuals who operate, inspect,

30  and provide instruction for operating breath-test instruments.

31  The program shall administer rules governing blood analysts

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  1  who conduct blood tests used to enforce the provisions of

  2  chapter 316, chapter 322, or this chapter which prohibit

  3  driving or boating under the influence of alcohol or

  4  controlled substances. The Alcohol Testing Program may:

  5         a.  Establish uniform criteria for issuing permits to

  6  breath-test operators, agency inspectors, instructors, and

  7  blood analysts and for certifying instruments.

  8         b.  Issue permits to breath-test operators, agency

  9  inspectors, instructors, and blood analysts and permits

10  certifying instruments.

11         c.  Discipline, suspend, revoke, or renew permits of

12  breath-test operators, agency inspectors, instructors, or

13  blood analysts and suspend, revoke, or renew permits

14  certifying instruments.

15         d.  Establish uniform requirements for a course of

16  instruction and curricula for obtaining a permit to operate or

17  inspect approved instruments.

18         e.  Specify a single approved curriculum for obtaining

19  a permit to operate or inspect approved instruments.

20         f.  Establish a procedure for approving courses for

21  breath-test operators and agency inspectors.

22         g.  Approve breath-test instruments and accompanying

23  paraphernalia used to enforce the provisions of chapter 316,

24  chapter 322, or this chapter which prohibit driving or boating

25  under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.

26         h.  With the approval of the executive director of the

27  Department of Law Enforcement, make and enter into contracts

28  and agreements with other agencies, organizations,

29  associations, corporations, individuals, or federal agencies

30  which are necessary or incidental to performing its duties.

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  1         i.  Issue final orders, including findings of fact and

  2  conclusions of law, which constitute final agency action for

  3  purposes of chapter 120.

  4         j.  Enforce compliance with this section through civil

  5  or administrative proceedings.

  6         k.  Make recommendations to the Department of Law

  7  Enforcement concerning any matter within the purview of

  8  chapter 316, chapter 322, or this chapter.

  9         l.  Adopt rules to administer this subparagraph,

10  including the definition of terms.

11         m.  Consult and cooperate with other entities for the

12  purpose of administering this subparagraph.

13         n.  Approve the type of blood test used under the

14  provisions of chapter 316, chapter 322, or this chapter which

15  prohibit driving or boating under the influence of alcohol or

16  controlled substances.

17         o.  Specify techniques and methods for conducting

18  breath-alcohol testing and blood testing used under the

19  provisions of chapter 316, chapter 322, or this chapter which

20  prohibit driving or boating under the influence of alcohol or

21  controlled substances.

22         p.  Approve repair facilities for breath-test

23  instruments and establish the criteria for such approval.

24         4.  Subparagraph 3. does not supersede any other

25  provision of chapter 316, chapter 322, or this chapter.

26         5.  The requirements of subparagraph 3. are derived

27  from the authority otherwise possessed by the Department of

28  Law Enforcement and are enumerated to comply with chapter

29  99-379, Laws of Florida.

30         (e)1.  The tests determining the weight of alcohol in

31  the defendant's blood or breath shall be administered at the

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  1  request of a law enforcement officer substantially in

  2  accordance with rules of the Department of Law Enforcement.

  3  Such rules must specify precisely the test or tests that are

  4  approved by the Department of Law Enforcement for reliability

  5  of result and ease of administration, and must provide an

  6  approved method of administration which must be followed in

  7  all such tests given under this section. However, the failure

  8  of a law enforcement officer to request the withdrawal of

  9  blood does not affect the admissibility of a test of blood

10  withdrawn for medical purposes.

11         2.  Only a physician, certified paramedic, registered

12  nurse, licensed practical nurse, other personnel authorized by

13  a hospital to draw blood, or duly licensed clinical laboratory

14  director, supervisor, technologist, or technician, acting at

15  the request of a law enforcement officer, may withdraw blood

16  for the purpose of determining its alcoholic content or the

17  presence of chemical substances or controlled substances

18  therein. However, the failure of a law enforcement officer to

19  request the withdrawal of blood does not affect the

20  admissibility of a test of blood withdrawn for medical

21  purposes.

22         3.  The person tested may, at his or her own expense,

23  have a physician, registered nurse, other personnel authorized

24  by a hospital to draw blood, or duly licensed clinical

25  laboratory director, supervisor, technologist, or technician,

26  or other person of his or her own choosing administer an

27  independent test in addition to the test administered at the

28  direction of the law enforcement officer for the purpose of

29  determining the amount of alcohol in the person's blood or

30  breath or the presence of chemical substances or controlled

31  substances at the time alleged, as shown by chemical analysis

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  1  of his or her blood or urine, or by chemical or physical test

  2  of his or her breath. The failure or inability to obtain an

  3  independent test by a person does not preclude the

  4  admissibility in evidence of the test taken at the direction

  5  of the law enforcement officer.  The law enforcement officer

  6  shall not interfere with the person's opportunity to obtain

  7  the independent test and shall provide the person with timely

  8  telephone access to secure the test, but the burden is on the

  9  person to arrange and secure the test at the person's own

10  expense.

11         4.  Upon the request of the person tested, full

12  information concerning the test taken at the direction of the

13  law enforcement officer shall be made available to the person

14  or his or her attorney.

15         5.  A hospital, clinical laboratory, medical clinic, or

16  similar medical institution or physician, certified paramedic,

17  registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, other personnel

18  authorized by a hospital to draw blood, or duly licensed

19  clinical laboratory director, supervisor, technologist, or

20  technician, or other person assisting a law enforcement

21  officer does not incur any civil or criminal liability as a

22  result of the withdrawal or analysis of a blood or urine

23  specimen, or the chemical or physical test of a person's

24  breath pursuant to accepted medical standards when requested

25  by a law enforcement officer, regardless of whether or not the

26  subject resisted administration of the test.

27         Section 7.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2000.

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  2                          SENATE SUMMARY

  3    Authorizes the Department of Law Enforcement to adopt
      rules defining misconduct and setting standards for
  4    disciplinary action for department employees. Authorizes
      the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission to
  5    adopt rules governing applicants for certification and
      providing procedures to certify and discipline
  6    instructors of criminal justice training schools.
      Authorizes the Alcohol Testing Program within the
  7    Department of Law Enforcement to adopt rules governing
      breath tests and blood tests used to enforce provisions
  8    prohibiting driving or boating under the influence of
      alcohol or controlled substances.
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