HB 1487 2022
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1487-00
Page 1 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to taking of bears; providing a short 2
title; creating s. 379.40411, F.S.; providing for the 3
taking of bears without certain permits or 4
authorizations under specified conditions; providing 5
applicability; providing an exemption from penalties; 6
requiring certain notification of such taking; 7
prohibiting certain possession, sale, and disposal of 8
such bears; requiring the disposal of such bears by 9
the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; 10
requiring the commission to adopt rules; providing an 11
effective date. 12
13
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 14
15
Section 1. This act may be cited as the "Self Defense 16
Act." 17
Section 2. Section 379.40411, Florida Statutes, is created 18
to read: 19
379.40411 Taking of bears; use of lethal force in defense 20
of person.— 21
(1)(a) The use of lethal force to take a bear without a 22
permit or authorization required under this chapter is justif ied 23
if a person feels threatened and believes that using such force 24
is necessary to protect himself or herself on his or her private 25
HB 1487 2022
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1487-00
Page 2 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
property. 26
(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply if a person 27
intentionally: 28
1. Lures a bear with food or attractants for an i llegal 29
purpose, including, but not limited to, training dogs to hunt 30
bears; or 31
2. Provokes a bear to incite an attack. 32
(2) A person who takes a bear in accordance with 33
subsection (1): 34
(a) Is not subject to any administrative, civil, or 35
criminal penalties. 36
(b) Must notify the commission within 24 hours after the 37
taking. 38
(c) May not possess, sell, or dispose of the taken bear or 39
its parts. 40
(3) A bear taken under this section must be disposed of by 41
the commission. 42
(4) The commission shall adopt rules to implement this 43
section. 44
Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022. 45