Bill > H1657

This bill, known as the "Officer Jason Raynor Act," proposes several changes to Florida's criminal laws related to offenses against law enforcement officers and other personnel. Key provisions include: 1) Revising the prohibition on the use or threatened use of force to resist arrest or detention, clarifying that a person is not justified in resisting arrest by a law enforcement officer who is known or appears to be a law enforcement officer and is engaged in the performance of their official duties. 2) Providing for enhanced punishment, including a sentence of life imprisonment without eligibility for release, for certain offenses such as murder, attempted murder, and manslaughter when the victim is a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or other specified personnel engaged in the performance of their official duties. 3) Expanding the definition of "law enforcement officer" to include various law enforcement, correctional, and other personnel, and reclassifying certain assault and battery offenses against these officers when they are engaged in the performance of their official duties. 4) Revising the provision on resisting, obstructing, or opposing such officers to specify that the offense applies when the officer is engaged in the performance of their official duties. The bill is intended to enhance protections for law enforcement and other personnel in the execution of their lawful duties.