Bill > H0253

This bill modifies Florida statutes related to motor vehicle offenses by making several key changes. First, it reclassifies the offense of driving a vehicle with certain prohibited lights from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony when a person attempts to stop another vehicle using such lights. Second, the bill increases the penalty for altering or obscuring a motor vehicle registration certificate, license plate, or validation sticker from a noncriminal traffic infraction to a second-degree misdemeanor. Third, the bill creates a new section of law defining a "license plate obscuring device" as any manual, electronic, or mechanical device designed to hide, switch, or interfere with the visibility of a license plate. The bill establishes graduated criminal penalties for such devices: possessing a license plate obscuring device is a second-degree misdemeanor, manufacturing or selling such a device is a first-degree misdemeanor, and using such a device to assist in committing a crime is a third-degree felony. These changes aim to strengthen legal protections against tampering with vehicle identification and prevent potential criminal activities involving license plate manipulation. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Government Affairs, Justice

Criminal Justice Subcommittee (House), Judiciary Committee (House)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/253