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FL H0857
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/20/2025
Primary Sponsor
Criminal Justice Subcommittee
Click for details
AI Summary
- Defines "utility worker" as a person wearing at least one visible patch, emblem, or marking identifying them as employed by or contracted with an entity that provides electricity, gas, propane, water, wastewater, telephone, or communications services to the public
- Adds utility workers engaged in work on critical infrastructure to the list of protected persons under Florida's assault and battery reclassification statute (s. 784.07), alongside law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical care providers, and other specified personnel
- Reclassifies offenses committed against utility workers performing their duties: assault increases from a second-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor; battery increases from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony; aggravated assault increases from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony; aggravated battery increases from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony
- Amends conforming provisions in ss. 901.15, 943.051, 985.11, and 985.644, F.S., to update references to include utility workers among the specified persons covered by the enhanced penalty provisions, including warrantless arrest authority and juvenile fingerprinting requirements
- Effective date is October 1, 2025
Legislative Description
Assault or Battery on a Utility Worker
Last Action
Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 1386 (Ch. 2025-73)
4/30/2025
Committee Referrals
Judiciary3/31/2025
Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee3/27/2025
Criminal Justice Subcommittee3/2/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available