Bill > S1386

This bill amends Florida law to add specific protections for utility workers, defining a utility worker as a person who is clearly identifiable through a visible patch, emblem, or organizational identification from a utility company that provides essential services like electricity, gas, water, telephone, or communications. The bill reclassifies assault and battery offenses committed against utility workers engaged in work on critical infrastructure, making them more serious crimes. Specifically, assault against a utility worker would be elevated from a second-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor, battery would be elevated from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony, and similar escalations apply for aggravated assault and battery. The bill also makes conforming changes to several other sections of Florida law related to criminal justice information, fingerprinting, and background screening to include utility workers in these provisions. These changes are designed to provide additional legal protection for utility workers performing their essential jobs, recognizing the critical nature of their work in maintaining public infrastructure and services. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance

Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice (Senate), Criminal Justice (Senate)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1386