FL S1194

Requires courts to sentence defendants convicted of simple drug possession (committed October 1, 2018 or later) to nonstate prison sanctions if sentencing points are 60 or fewer, unless the court makes written findings that such sanction presents a danger to the public.

Allows defendants convicted of offenses with mandatory minimum sentences (committed October 1, 2018 or later) to petition the court for departure from mandatory minimums if the offense involves no forcible felony, physical injury, coercion, or minor victims, and the defendant has no prior departure or conviction for the same offense.

Increases incentive gain-time eligibility to 20 days per month (from 10) for offenses committed October 1, 2018 or later, with nonviolent felons required to serve at least 65 percent of sentence before release and violent felons required to serve at least 85 percent.

Establishes conditional release eligibility for persons convicted of noncapital offenses and sentenced to life imprisonment upon serving 20 years with no disciplinary violations, or at their tentative/provisional release date, whichever is earlier.

Makes technical amendments to sections 921.002, 944.70, 947.13, and 947.141 to incorporate conditional release provisions for life-sentenced inmates and define "coercion" for mandatory minimum departure purposes.