HB 31 Summary

• Amends Florida Statutes sections 112.81 and 112.82 to reorder and revise definitions related to firefighter inquiries and investigations, including "firefighter," "employing agency," "informal inquiry," "formal investigation," "administrative proceeding," and "interrogation."

• Extends firefighter rights protections to informal inquiries, not just formal interrogations, requiring that informal inquiries and interrogations be conducted in accordance with specified procedural requirements.

• Prohibits firefighters from being subjected to offensive language, threats of transfer, suspension, dismissal, or other disciplinary action during informal inquiries or interrogations, or from being offered incentives to answer questions.

• Requires that interrogation records be made available to the firefighter, allows employee organization representation during investigations if permitted by collective bargaining agreements, and prohibits retaliation against firefighters for exercising rights under this statute.

• Effective date: July 1, 2022.