SB 1898 Summary

• Eliminates the death penalty in Florida by removing provisions that authorize capital punishment and instead mandating life imprisonment without parole for capital felonies.

• Repeals 16 statutes relating to capital collateral representation, execution procedures, warrants of execution, and stay of execution processes.

• Removes statutory provisions for death penalty sentencing procedures, mental retardation prohibitions in capital cases, and juror qualifications specific to capital cases.

• Deletes legislative intent language regarding expedited resolution of capital appeals and postconviction actions within 5 years.

• Repeals the public records exemption for executioner identities and removes special DNA evidence preservation requirements for death penalty cases.