House Criminal Justice Subcommittee approves HB 693

Today, the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard HB 693, which seeks to add an aggravating factor to Florida’s capital sentencing scheme. The bill passed the subcommittee with a vote of 17-1.

This afternoon, the Florida House Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard HB 693, which seeks to add an aggravating factor to Florida’s capital sentencing scheme for capital felonies committed at certain gatherings:

There were no questions on or amendments to the bill.

Photo of the Florida Capitol complex in Tallahassee, Florida by Aerial Tallahassee

Grace Hanna (Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty) spoke in opposition to the bill, stating that the proposed aggravating factor is already addressed and would lower the threshold for the death penalty. She said the proposal seems to be a “blatant attempt to broaden the death penalty . . . .”

The bill passed the subcommittee with a vote of 17-1.

A video of the hearing can be accessed on the Subcommittee’s page here.

TFDP Prior Coverage

• Proposed legislation adding aggravating factor

• March 2 Legislative Update