Florida Senate - 2021                                     SB 730
       
       
        
       By Senator Bracy
       
       
       
       
       
       11-00799-21                                            2021730__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to strangulation by a law enforcement
    3         officer; creating s. 784.042, F.S.; providing criminal
    4         penalties for law enforcement officers who while on
    5         duty commit the offense of strangulation by a law
    6         enforcement officer; providing an effective date.
    7          
    8  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
    9  
   10         Section 1. Section 784.042, Florida Statutes, is created to
   11  read:
   12         784.042 Strangulation by law enforcement officer;
   13  penalties.—
   14         (1) A law enforcement officer commits the offense of
   15  strangulation by a law enforcement officer if while on duty the
   16  officer knowingly and intentionally impedes the normal breathing
   17  or circulation of the blood of an individual so as to create a
   18  risk of or cause great bodily harm or death by applying pressure
   19  on the throat or neck of the individual or by blocking the nose
   20  or mouth of the individual, including the use of a chokehold or
   21  similar restraint.
   22         (2) A law enforcement officer who violates subsection (1)
   23  commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in
   24  s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
   25         Section 2. This act shall take effect October 1, 2021.