FL S0834

Creates section 921.245 to allow defendants convicted of nonviolent offenses to request courts withhold sentencing until determining if they are primary caretakers of dependent children under age 18.

Requires courts to make written findings about defendant's primary caretaker status and availability of nonincarcerative alternatives before imposing any incarceration sentence.

Authorizes courts to impose nonincarcerative sentences with written conditions emphasizing community rehabilitation and parent-child unity, including drug treatment, job training, housing assistance, parenting classes, and counseling services.

Allows courts to require defendants serving nonincarcerative sentences to appear in court to evaluate progress, modify conditions, decrease sentence duration based on successful advancement, or impose imprisonment sanctions for violations.

Takes effect July 1, 2019.