HB 957 Summary

• Increases penalty for exhibiting a weapon near schools from third-degree felony to second-degree felony under s. 790.115(1).

• Increases penalties for storing loaded firearms within reach of minors who obtain them, creating second-degree misdemeanor charges and third-degree felony charges if the minor discharges the weapon under s. 790.115 and s. 790.174.

• Creates criminal penalties for adults who violate firearm storage requirements under s. 790.22, including misdemeanor of the first degree if a child exhibits a weapon and felony of the third degree if a child discharges the firearm.

• Modifies the Criminal Punishment Code in s. 921.0022 to adjust offense severity rankings, including changing discharging a firearm on school property from first-degree to second-degree felony under s. 790.115(2)(d).

• Requires child-placing agencies to provide prospective adoptive parents with firearm storage safety information under s. 790.174 during adoption home studies, effective July 1, 2017.