TALLAHASSEE — The final four laws passed by the Florida Legislature in 2023 go into effect on January 1. The statutes deal with state campsite reservations, individuals with special needs, criminal defendants’ bonds, and child abuse investigations in seven Florida counties, including Manatee County.
SB 7056 - The law requires that seven Florida counties whose sheriff departments previously contracted with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to oversee child protective investigations hand those investigative services over to the state. Currently, the DCF contracts with Pinellas, Manatee, Broward, Pasco, Hillsborough, Seminole, and Walton counties to conduct the investigations for their respective counties. The transfer will make the DCF the sole entity performing child protective investigations in the state.
The bill also provides that staff in good standing employed by each respective sheriff for the provision of child protective services will have the option to transfer their employment to the DCF.
The sheriff of each of the seven counties must reach a “mutually agreeable” transfer date with DCF to pass the responsibilities no later than December 31.
SB 1534 - This bill requires that the Florida Supreme Court create a uniform statewide bond schedule, and changes existing Florida statutes so that only a judge can set or reduce a criminal defendant’s bail.
The new law revises the list of circumstances prohibiting a person from being released before a first appearance hearing. Some of the circumstances defined in the legislation include the nature of the offense charged, the weight of the evidence, the defendant’s family ties, length of residence in the community, employment history, financial resources, mental condition, previous flight to avoid prosecution or failure to appear at court proceedings, the probability of danger which the defendant’s release poses to the community, and the source of funds used to post bail or procure an appearance bond, among other considerations.
The bill also revises the term “dangerous crime” to include DUI manslaughter as well as BUI manslaughter (boating under the influence), trafficking in any controlled substance, extortion, and written threats to kill.
To read all of the provisions and changes to statutes included in this bill, click here.
SB 784 - Named the “Protect Our Loved Ones Act,” this bill allows local law enforcement agencies to create and maintain a database, to be known as the “Special Persons Registry.” The registry is for the inclusion of information pertaining to individuals who may have certain developmental, psychological, or other disabilities or conditions.
Because a person’s developmental disability may make interactions with law enforcement more challenging, the new law authorizes authorities to share information maintained on the registries with law enforcement or other agencies to assist in performing law enforcement response and official duties.
Individuals may voluntarily enroll themselves in the registry, or parents and guardians may voluntarily enroll minors and incapacitated individuals in the registry. The bill also provides a process for removing oneself from the registry.
SB 76 - This bill will give Florida residents first dibs on campsite reservations at any one of the state’s 175 parks. The new law allows for residents—who provide proof of residency—to reserve campsites 11 months out from the date of reservation while non-Florida residents will be permitted to make reservations beginning 10 months prior to the reservation’s date.
According to information provided in the bill’s analysis, during fiscal year 2021-2022, over 32 million people visited Florida state parks, and approximately 75 percent of those visitors were “non-local,” meaning they traveled from more than 50 miles for the visit. On average, Florida residents have made up 61 percent of all overnight visitors. Florida’s 175 parks span nearly 800,000 acres and 100 miles of coastline.
Florida’s next legislative session begins Jan. 9, 2024.
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