summary
Introduced
11/03/2025
11/03/2025
In Committee
11/12/2025
11/12/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to criminal rehabilitation; amending s. 921.002, F.S.; revising the legislative intent of the Criminal Punishment Code; specifying that to rehabilitate the offender to transition back to the community successfully is one of the primary purposes of sentencing; reducing the minimum sentence that must be served by a defendant from 85 percent of the sentence to 72 percent; amending s. 944.275, F.S.; revising provisions concerning gain-time to provide for outstanding deed gain-time, good behavior time, and rehabilitation credits; providing requirements for such gain-time and credits; providing for amounts to be awarded; revising limits on the award of gain-time; reducing the minimum sentence that must be served by a defendant from 85 percent of the sentence to 72 percent; amending ss. 316.027, 316.1935, 381.004, 775.084, 775.0845, 775.0847, 775.0861, 775.0862, 775.087, 775.0875, 777.03, 777.04, 784.07, 794.011, 794.0115, 794.0116, 794.023, 810.145, 812.081, 817.568, 831.032, 843.22, 874.04, 944.281, 944.473, 944.70, 944.801, and 947.005, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; providing an effective date. hb297-00
AI Summary
This bill seeks to reform criminal rehabilitation and sentencing practices in Florida by revising key provisions of the state's Criminal Punishment Code. The bill modifies the legislative intent behind sentencing to explicitly include rehabilitation as a primary goal, alongside punishment, with the aim of helping offenders successfully transition back to the community. A significant change is reducing the minimum time an offender must serve from 85 percent to 72 percent of their sentence. The bill introduces a new system of gain-time credits, including outstanding deed gain-time, good behavior time, and rehabilitation credits, which inmates can earn by participating in productive activities, educational programs, treatment programs, and demonstrating positive behavior. These credits can potentially reduce an inmate's time served, with specific provisions for awarding additional credits for completing educational programs, drug treatment, life skills training, and other rehabilitative programs. The bill also updates multiple sections of Florida law to conform with these changes, ensuring consistency across different statutes related to sentencing, gain-time, and early release eligibility. The changes are designed to incentivize personal growth and rehabilitation while maintaining public safety considerations.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Withdrawn prior to introduction (on 01/07/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/297 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/297/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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