FL S1334

Creates a new crime of "battery by strangulation" defined as knowingly and intentionally impeding someone's breathing or blood circulation against their will by applying pressure to the throat/neck or blocking the nose/mouth, creating risk of or causing great bodily harm

Classifies battery by strangulation as a third-degree felony under Florida law

Exempts authorized medical diagnosis, treatment, or prescription activities from the new offense

Adds the new offense to Level 4 of the Criminal Punishment Code's offense severity ranking chart, placing it alongside other battery offenses such as battery on law enforcement officers and battery on persons 65 or older

Effective date of October 1, 2023