FL S1060

Requires defendants found guilty of misdemeanor possession of controlled substances or drug paraphernalia under chapter 893 to be placed in licensed substance abuse education and treatment intervention programs.

Authorizes both private and public entities to provide substance abuse programs; private entities must contract with the county and comply with all applicable laws.

Removes the eligibility restriction that previously prohibited placement in pretrial programs if a defendant had been previously admitted to a pretrial program.

Establishes contract requirements including staff qualifications, staffing levels, face-to-face contact procedures, fee collection, indigent offender placement procedures, and quarterly reporting to the chief judge's office.

Effective date: July 1, 2011.