FL S0302

Creates the "Driver Accountability Act" establishing community service as an alternative payment method for persons with demonstrable financial hardship who owe criminal penalties, court costs, fines, or fees related to criminal offenses.

Revises penalties for driving with a suspended, revoked, or canceled license by creating separate penalty structures for different suspension reasons, including suspensions for failure to pay child support or other financial obligations, with first convictions as second-degree misdemeanors and subsequent convictions escalating to first-degree misdemeanors or third-degree felonies.

Adds new provisions for habitual traffic offenders with separate penalty tiers based on whether the habitual offender designation was based on suspended/canceled license violations versus revoked license violations, ranging from first-degree misdemeanors to third-degree felonies.

Modifies section 322.245 to require that courts find a person has the ability to pay before suspending their license for failure to pay criminal financial obligations, and allows license reinstatement if the court enters an order granting relief.

Updates cross-references in the Criminal Punishment Code and Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act to align with the revised driving privilege penalties; effective July 1, 2014.