Florida Senate - 2025                                     SB 474
       
       
        
       By Senator Truenow
       
       
       
       
       
       13-00647-25                                            2025474__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to modified sentences for veterans;
    3         creating s. 775.37, F.S.; defining the term “modified
    4         sentence”; authorizing a court to impose a modified
    5         sentence for veterans under specified circumstances;
    6         providing applicability; providing an effective date.
    7          
    8  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
    9  
   10         Section 1. Section 775.37, Florida Statutes, is created to
   11  read:
   12         775.37 Modified sentences for veterans.—
   13         (1) As used in this section, the term “modified sentence”
   14  means a sentence less than the otherwise required minimum
   15  sentence and may include a waiver of restrictions on the
   16  defendant’s eligibility for gain-time or release.
   17         (2) Notwithstanding any other law, if a defendant has been
   18  convicted of an offense that requires the imposition of a
   19  specified term of imprisonment or minimum term of imprisonment,
   20  the court may instead impose a modified sentence if the court
   21  finds all of the following on the record:
   22         (a) The defendant is a veteran with a mental health
   23  condition that is related to that person’s military service.
   24         (b) The otherwise required sentence is not necessary for
   25  the protection of the public.
   26         (3) This section does not apply to a person convicted of an
   27  offense enumerated in s. 943.0435(1)(h)1.a.(I).
   28         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.