FL H0887

Revises eligibility criteria for sentencing as a youthful offender to require the offender be younger than 21 years of age at the time sentence is imposed, rather than at the time the crime was committed.

Maintains that youthful offender status is unavailable for persons convicted of capital or life felonies.

Allows the Assistant Secretary for Youthful Offenders to continuously screen inmates up to age 24 and classify those meeting section 958.04 criteria as youthful offenders.

Permits courts to classify juveniles prosecuted as adults as youthful offenders under section 958.04 when appropriate, upon failure of juvenile sanctions.

Takes effect July 1, 2019.