Bill > S0892

This bill modifies Florida's legal definitions and procedures for classifying repeat offenders as habitual felony offenders, habitual violent felony offenders, three-time violent felony offenders, and violent career criminals. The bill removes previous provisions that prevented an offender from being classified under these categories if they had received a pardon or had a conviction set aside in a post-conviction proceeding. Instead, the bill now clarifies that a conviction that has been pardoned or reversed on appeal is not counted towards these classifications. The bill maintains the existing criteria for each offender category, which generally involve multiple prior felony convictions within a specific timeframe, and requires courts to conduct separate proceedings to determine if an offender meets these classifications. For habitual felony offenders and violent career criminals, the court must provide written reasons if it decides not to impose the enhanced sentencing, and must submit these reasons to the Office of Economic and Demographic Research. The bill standardizes language around notice, evidence presentation, and court procedures for these classification proceedings, and will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/892