Florida Senate - 2023                                    SB 1334
       
       
        
       By Senator Martin
       
       
       
       
       
       33-00718A-23                                          20231334__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to battery by strangulation; creating
    3         s. 784.031, F.S.; prohibiting battery by
    4         strangulation; providing applicability; providing
    5         criminal penalties; providing an effective date.
    6          
    7  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
    8  
    9         Section 1. Section 784.031, Florida Statutes, is created to
   10  read:
   11         784.031 Battery by strangulation.—
   12         (1) A person commits battery by strangulation if he or she
   13  knowingly and intentionally impedes the normal breathing or
   14  circulation of the blood of another person, against the will of
   15  that person, by applying pressure on the throat or neck of the
   16  other person or by blocking the nose or mouth of the other
   17  person. This subsection does not apply to any act of medical
   18  diagnosis, treatment, or prescription which is authorized under
   19  the laws of this state.
   20         (2) A person who violates subsection (1) commits a felony
   21  of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s.
   22  775.083, or s. 775.084.
   23         Section 2. This act shall take effect October 1, 2023.