FL S0554

Expands mitigating circumstances for downward departure from minimum sentences to include substance abuse or addiction treatment needs, effective October 1, 2020.

Removes the prior blanket prohibition on considering substance abuse or addiction as a mitigating factor, allowing courts to consider specialized treatment needs in sentencing decisions.

Modifies the nonviolent felony provision (paragraph m) by removing the requirement that defendants be amenable to drug court participation and instead requiring sentencing occur on or after October 1, 2020.

Reenacts related statutes (775.08435, 921.002, and 921.00265) to incorporate the amendments to mitigating circumstances standards for withholding adjudication and determining departure sentences.