CS/HB 7085 Summary

• Requires each Florida county to establish civil citation or similar diversion programs for juveniles who commit misdemeanor offenses as an alternative to custody by the Department of Juvenile Justice.

• Mandates law enforcement issue civil citations for first-time misdemeanor offenders admitted specific offenses (alcohol possession, battery with victim approval, theft, disorderly conduct, cannabis/controlled substance possession, and drug paraphernalia), and permits citations for other misdemeanors lacking enumerated offenses.

• Allows civil citations for second and third-time misdemeanor offenders regardless of offense type, with juveniles required to complete up to 50 community service hours within 7 business days at minimum 5 hours per week and participate in needed intervention services.

• Permits juveniles to refuse the civil citation program and be referred to the department at any time before completing community service, with non-participation not counted as a departmental referral.

• Exempts from the program juveniles currently charged with or convicted of felony-level offenses, and excludes misdemeanors arising from incidents involving alleged felony conduct.