summary
Introduced
01/03/2025
01/03/2025
In Committee
01/15/2025
01/15/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/16/2025
06/16/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to driving and boating offenses; providing a short title; amending s. 316.193, F.S.; prohibiting a person from driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of any impairing substance; providing enhanced criminal penalties for violation of driving under the influence if the person has a prior conviction for a violation of specified provisions; amending s. 316.1932, F.S.; requiring that a person be told that his or her failure to submit to a lawful test of breath or urine is a second degree misdemeanor or a first degree misdemeanor under certain circumstances; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; amending ss. 316.1933 and 316.1934, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 316.1939, F.S.; classifying a person’s refusal to submit to a chemical or physical test of breath or urine as a second degree misdemeanor or a first degree misdemeanor under certain circumstances; conforming a provision to changes made by the act; creating s. 316.19395, F.S.; authorizing state attorneys to create driving under the influence diversion programs; providing requirements for such diversion programs; providing that a person who successfully completes a diversion program is ineligible for participation in such a program in the future; amending s. 316.656, F.S.; prohibiting a court from suspending, deferring, or withholding adjudication of guilt or imposition of sentence for a specified violation; amending s. 322.34, F.S.; providing penalties for specified violations of driving while a license or driving privilege is canceled, suspended, or revoked or while under suspension or revocation equivalent status; amending s. 327.35, F.S.; prohibiting a person from operating a vessel while under the influence of any impairing substance; conforming a provision to changes made by the act; amending ss. 327.352, 327.353, 327.354, and 327.359, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 782.071, F.S.; providing enhanced criminal penalties for a violation of vehicular homicide if the person has a prior conviction for a violation of specified provisions; amending s. 933.02, F.S.; permitting the issuance of a search warrant when a sample of blood of a person constitutes evidence relevant to proving specified crimes; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill, named "Trenton's Law," comprehensively updates Florida's laws regarding driving and boating under the influence by expanding the definition of impairment to include "any impairing substance" beyond alcohol and controlled substances. The bill makes several key changes, including establishing enhanced criminal penalties for repeat offenders of driving under the influence (DUI) and boating under the influence (BUI), creating mandatory minimum jail sentences for certain violations, and allowing state attorneys to establish DUI diversion programs. Specifically, the bill prohibits courts from suspending or deferring sentences for DUI offenses, increases penalties for driving with a suspended license, and permits the issuance of search warrants when a person's blood sample could provide evidence of a DUI or BUI violation. The legislation also modifies testing procedures for alcohol and substance impairment, including requirements for breath, blood, and urine tests, and adds provisions that a person who successfully completes a diversion program will be ineligible for future program participation. The bill aims to strengthen legal consequences for impaired driving and boating, with the goal of improving public safety by deterring repeat offenses and providing more consistent legal responses to such violations. The law is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (1)
Other Sponsors (2)
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice (Senate), Criminal Justice (Senate)
Last Action
Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 687 (Ch. 2025-121) (on 04/30/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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