FL S0554

Creates section 775.0864, Florida Statutes, to reclassify criminal offenses one degree higher when committed against real estate brokers, broker associates, or sales associates while they are showing property or holding an open house

Covered offenses include assault, aggravated assault, battery, felony battery, aggravated battery, and sexual battery

Reclassification scale: second-degree misdemeanor becomes first-degree misdemeanor; first-degree misdemeanor becomes third-degree felony; third-degree felony becomes second-degree felony; second-degree felony becomes first-degree felony; first-degree felony becomes life felony

Reclassified felonies are ranked one level above their original ranking on the offense severity ranking chart for sentencing and gain-time eligibility purposes

Effective date of October 1, 2019