HB 1047 - Ocean Lifeguards

• Adds ocean lifeguards employed along Florida's coastal and intracoastal beaches to the list of protected persons under assault and battery laws in s. 784.07.

• Provides enhanced criminal penalties for assault or battery committed against an ocean lifeguard during lawful performance of duties, with offense reclassification similar to law enforcement officers (e.g., simple battery becomes felony of third degree).

• Imposes mandatory minimum sentences for battery on lifeguards: 3 years if firearm/destructive device possessed; 8 years if semiautomatic firearm with high-capacity magazine or machine gun possessed.

• Amends arrest without warrant provisions in s. 901.15 to authorize arrest when there is probable cause that assault or battery was committed against an ocean lifeguard.

• Conforms the Criminal Punishment Code offense severity ranking chart and criminal justice fingerprinting requirements to include ocean lifeguards; takes effect July 1, 2012.