HB 1375 Summary

• Amends Chapter 83-456, Laws of Florida, to establish the Leon County Sheriff's Office Career Service Employees' Act governing employment protections and disciplinary procedures for full-time sworn and civilian employees.

• Grants Sheriff authority to promote, demote, transfer, and determine all disciplinary measures including dismissal; allows new Sheriff to transition exempt Major positions and Executive Secretary position without appeal rights.

• Employees attain permanent status after 1 calendar year of service (with exceptions for disciplinary probation or termination/rehire), and may only be suspended or dismissed for cause including negligence, insubordination, misconduct, or criminal convictions.

• Establishes Career Service Appeals Boards composed of 5 employees (2 selected by Sheriff, 2 by employee, 1 chairperson selected by the four) to hear appeals of dismissals, suspensions, demotions, or pay reductions; exempts board actions from Administrative Procedures Act requirements.

• Raises non-appealable suspension threshold from 3 to 5 working days; requires Sheriff representation by General Counsel or designee; allows irrelevant or repetitious evidence to be excluded by chairperson.