CS/HB 385 Summary - Controlled Substances

• Creates new offense of "trafficking in synthetic drugs" under s. 893.135 with mandatory minimum sentences: 3 years for 250-499 grams, 7 years for 500 grams-999 grams, and 15 years for 1-29 kilograms, with corresponding fines of $25,000, $50,000, and $200,000.

• Establishes life imprisonment sentence for trafficking 30 kilograms or more of synthetic drugs; creates capital felony for trafficking involving intentional killing or conduct leading to death, or for importation of 60+ kilograms knowing probable result would be death.

• Adds 3-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for violations of s. 893.13(1)(a) committed in a dwelling.

• Updates Criminal Punishment Code offense severity ranking chart to include new synthetic drug trafficking provisions and incorporates trafficking language into multiple related statutes covering sentencing, murder, burglary, bail, and pretrial detention.

• Effective date: October 1, 2016.