summary
Introduced
12/04/2025
12/04/2025
In Committee
12/16/2025
12/16/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to violations of pretrial release conditions for violent crimes; providing a short title; creating s. 903.0472, F.S.; providing that a person who is on pretrial release for a specified violent crime commits a separate criminal offense if such person willfully violates certain conditions of pretrial release; providing criminal penalties; providing criminal penalties for a second or subsequent violation; requiring a person who is arrested for committing specified violations to be held in custody until his or her first appearance hearing; requiring the court to consider certain factors in determining whether to order pretrial detention or grant pretrial release; providing that a law enforcement officer is not liable in a civil action for an arrest of a person based on probable cause to believe that the person has violated a condition of pretrial release in specified circumstances; amending s. 901.15, F.S.; authorizing a law enforcement officer to arrest a person without a warrant if there is probable cause to believe that the person has willfully violated certain conditions of pretrial release; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the "Victim Safety in Pretrial Release Act," creates a new law that makes it a criminal offense for someone on pretrial release for certain violent crimes to willfully violate the conditions of that release. Pretrial release is a legal status where a person accused of a crime is allowed to go free before their trial, usually with specific conditions they must follow. If someone on pretrial release for offenses like murder, aggravated battery, sexual battery, robbery, or any felony involving the use or threat of physical force, deliberately breaks these conditions, they will face a first-degree misdemeanor charge. A second or subsequent violation will be a third-degree felony. The bill also mandates that individuals arrested for such violations, or for a new crime while on pretrial release for a specified violent offense, must be held in custody until their first court appearance, where the judge will consider factors like the seriousness of the original crime and the person's history when deciding whether to keep them detained or grant release. Furthermore, law enforcement officers are protected from civil lawsuits if they arrest someone based on probable cause that they violated these pretrial release conditions for violent crimes, and officers are authorized to make such arrests without a warrant. This act is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (1)
Other Sponsors (1)
Criminal Justice (Senate)
Last Action
Laid on Table, refer to CS/CS/HB 397 (on 02/26/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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