Legislative Update as of 3/14
There are several bills pending in the Florida Legislature related to capital punishment. Here’s the status of that pending legislation as of today.
There are several bills pending in the Florida Legislature related to capital punishment. Here’s the status of that pending legislation as of today.
Expanding Capital Punishment to Human Trafficking
Like the 2023 legislation that expanded capital punishment to non-homicide sex crimes against children, this set of bills (HB 1283 and SB 1804) seeks to expand capital punishment to non-homicide human trafficking. My original post about this legislation can be found here.
The House bill was referred to the Criminal Justice Subcommittee, the Justice Budget Subcommittee, and the Judiciary Committee. It is now in the Criminal Justice Subcommittee. The Senate bill was referred to the Criminal Justice Committee, the Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice, and Fiscal Policy.
You can read more about this legislation on the Senate’s website here.
New Aggravating Factors
Aggravating Factor for Assassinations
A set of bills filed in the House (HB 653) and Senate (SB 776) on February 17 seek to add an aggravating factor for capital felonies committed against heads of state. My original post on this legislation can be found here.
On Wednesday this week, the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee unanimously approved the legislation. (More on there here.) It is now in the Judiciary Committee.
The Senate Bill was referred to the Criminal Justice, Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice, and Fiscal Policy Committees.
You can read more about this legislation on the Senate’s website here.
Aggravating Factor for Crimes at Certain Gatherings
A set of bills filed in the House (HB 693) and Senate (SB 984) seek to add an aggravating factor for capital felonies committed at certain gatherings. My original post on this legislation can be found here.
The House Bill was referred to the Criminal Justice Subcommittee and the Judiciary Committee. On March 6, the Criminal Justice Subcommittee approved the legislation by a vote of 17-1. (More on that here.)
NEW: On Thursday morning, the House Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the legislation. You can watch a video of the meeting here. (It starts at 28:12.) Rep. Bracy Davis asked the sponsor to define “religious activity.” The Sponsor, Rep. Redondo, said it’s not specifically defined and depends on the case, and the jury would have to unanimously agree that the factor was proven. Rep. Bracy Davis asked if a Bible study or religious study at someone’s home would count, and the Sponsor said yes. The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops spoke in opposition to the bill “because it expands the death penalty.” He said it is their position that “death is not a good tool of justice in our society.”
Rep. Daley commented about the jury’s sentencing determination in the Parkland shooter’s case and said he thinks “the jury got it wrong.” Rep. Bracy Davis commented that she personally doesn’t believe in the death penalty but understands the State of Florida does.
The Senate bill was referred to the Criminal Justice Committee, the Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice, and Fiscal Policy.
You can read more about the legislation on the Senate’s website here.
There is no excuse for increasing the violence or expanding a barbaric law.
Prisons are capable of keeping society safe from offenders. It also would
Save the states and federal violators millions of dollars by keeping them alive.
I am an American victim survivor and I do not give my consent.