SB 280 Summary

• Requires unanimous jury vote (instead of 10 of 12 jurors) to recommend a sentence of death for capital felonies under Florida Statutes §921.141

• Requires unanimous jury vote (instead of 10 of 12 jurors) to recommend a sentence of death for capital drug trafficking felonies under Florida Statutes §921.142

• Makes conforming amendments to related statutes (§775.082, §782.04, §794.011, and §893.135) to reference the updated jury unanimity requirement for capital sentencing

• Changes the alternative recommendation from "fewer than 10 jurors" to "a unanimous jury does not" determine death, resulting in automatic life imprisonment without parole

• Takes effect upon becoming law