summary
Introduced
12/23/2025
12/23/2025
In Committee
01/05/2026
01/05/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to the Office of the Corrections Ombudsman; creating s. 11.92, F.S.; providing legislative findings; providing definitions; creating the Office of the Corrections Ombudsman within the legislative branch; providing for staff; specifying the duties of the office; providing for the appointment of a Corrections Ombudsman; requiring that the Ombudsman meet certain criteria; requiring the Legislature to establish a Corrections Oversight Committee on or before a certain date; providing duties and membership of the committee; requiring the Department of Corrections to provide the Ombudsman and committee members with access to certain department facilities and records; authorizing the Ombudsman and committee members access to such facilities unannounced; requiring confidentiality of in-person communications between incarcerated persons or facility staff members and the Ombudsman or a committee member; providing that correspondence between an incarcerated person and the office is privileged; providing that the decision, or failure, to file a complaint with the office does not impact the inmate grievance procedure; providing that the office need not investigate or process complaints in hb889-00 the order received; requiring the office to submit to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives a specified report annually; providing an appropriation; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill creates the Office of the Corrections Ombudsman as an independent legislative branch entity aimed at providing oversight of Florida's correctional system, with the primary goal of protecting the health, safety, and rights of incarcerated individuals. The office will be led by a Corrections Ombudsman appointed by the Legislature for a 5-year term, who must have corrections and human rights experience and no recent prior employment with the Department of Corrections. The Ombudsman will have broad powers to receive and investigate complaints, monitor facility conditions, inspect correctional facilities at least annually, collect data on serious incidents, and make recommendations for systemic improvements. Alongside the Ombudsman, a 15-member Corrections Oversight Committee will be established, composed of legislative members and diverse representatives including former inmates, healthcare professionals, clergy, and advocacy group representatives. The bill grants the Ombudsman and committee members unannounced access to correctional facilities, staff, and records, ensures confidentiality of communications with incarcerated individuals, and requires an annual report to legislative leadership. Importantly, filing a complaint with this office will not impact existing inmate grievance procedures, and the office has discretion in which complaints to investigate. The bill is funded with $250,000 in recurring funds and will take effect on July 1, 2026.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
1st Reading (Original Filed Version) (on 01/13/2026)
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/2026/889 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/889/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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