Florida 2023 2023 Regular Session

Florida House Bill H0929 Analysis / Analysis

Filed 03/31/2023

                    This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives. 
STORAGE NAME: h0929d.JDC 
DATE: 3/31/2023 
 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS  
 
BILL #: CS/CS/CS/HB 929    Correctional Facilities 
SPONSOR(S): Judiciary Committee, Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, Criminal Justice Subcommittee, 
Lopez, V. 
TIED BILLS:   IDEN./SIM. BILLS: SB 7016 
 
REFERENCE 	ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or 
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF 
1) Criminal Justice Subcommittee 	17 Y, 0 N, As CS Loyed Hall 
2) Justice Appropriations Subcommittee 15 Y, 0 N, As CS Smith Keith 
3) Judiciary Committee 	20 Y, 0 N, As CS Loyed Kramer 
SUMMARY ANALYSIS 
Section 944.35, F.S., prohibits any employee of the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) or a private correctional facility 
from engaging in sexual misconduct, without committing sexual battery, with an inmate or an offender supervised by FDC in the 
community. Under s. 944.35, F.S., sexual misconduct means the oral, anal, or female genital penetration by, or union with, the 
sexual organ of another or the anal or female genital penetration of another by any other object, but does not include an act 
done for a bona fide medical purpose or an internal search conducted in the lawful performance of an employee’s duty. An 
employee may not raise the consent of an inmate or a supervised offender as a defense. A violation of the prohibition is a third 
degree felony. Current law does not prohibit all persons who may perform work or services within FDC or a private correctional 
facility from engaging in sexual misconduct with an inmate or a supervised offender. 
 
The prohibition against sexual misconduct does not apply to any employee of FDC or any employee of a private correctional 
facility who is legally married to an inmate or a supervised offender; or any employee who has no knowledge, and would have 
no reason to believe, that the person with whom the employee has engaged in sexual misconduct is an inmate or a supervised 
offender. 
 
In 1989, the Legislature authorized the construction and operation of private correctional institutions. FDC was provided 
authorization to enter into contracts with private corrections firms for the design, construction and operation of private 
correctional facilities. Chapter 1993-406, Laws of Florida, created the Correctional Privatization Commission (Commission) for 
the purpose of entering into contracts for the design, construction and operation of private correctional facilities, effective July 1, 
1994. The Commission, which was housed within the Department of Management Services (DMS), was independent of the 
FDC.   
 
In 2005, the Commission was repealed by the Legislature and its functions, duties and responsibilities were transferred to DMS.  
Currently, the Bureau of Private Prison Monitoring within DMS is responsible for contract negotiation and oversight relating to 
privately operated correctional facilities in Florida.  
 
CS/CS/CS/HB 929 amends s. 944.35, F.S., to prohibit any volunteer in, or employee of a contractor or subcontractor of, FDC or 
a private correctional facility from engaging in sexual misconduct, without committing sexual battery, with an inmate or an 
offender supervised by FDC in the community. Under the bill, a volunteer or employee of a contractor or subcontractor of FDC or 
a private correctional facility commits a third degree felony if he or she engages in sexual misconduct with an inmate or a 
supervised offender. 
 
The bill provides an exception to the criminal penalty for engaging in sexual misconduct if any volunteer, or employee of a 
contractor or subcontractor, of FDC or a private correctional facility is legally married to an inmate or a supervised offender or if 
the volunteer or specified employee has no knowledge, or reason to know, the person with whom he or she engaged in sexual 
misconduct was an inmate or supervised offender. 
 
Under the bill, a volunteer is defined as a person registered with FDC or a private correctional facility who is engaged in specific 
voluntary service activities on an ongoing or continual basis.  
 
The bill may have a positive indeterminate jail and prison bed impact by expanding the prohibitions of the third degree felony 
offense of sexual misconduct. 
 
The bill transfers the functions, duties and responsibilities relating to the oversight and operation of private correctional facilities 
from DMS to FDC via a type two transfer. 
 
The bill provides an effective date of October 1, 2023. 
   STORAGE NAME: h0929d.JDC 	PAGE: 2 
DATE: 3/31/2023 
  
FULL ANALYSIS 
I.  SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS 
 
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES: 
Background 
 
The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) is responsible for all prisons and other state 
correctional institutions or facilities under its jurisdiction.
1 
Under s. 944.715, F.S., FDC may 
assign inmates to a private correctional facility, however, inmates incarcerated in a private 
correctional facility are still considered to be in the legal custody of FDC. A private correctional 
facility is any facility, which is not operated by FDC, for the incarceration of adults or juveniles who 
have been sentenced by a court and committed to the custody of FDC.
2
 
 
Section 948.01, F.S., requires FDC to provide immediate supervision to a defendant placed on 
probation or into community control by a court for a felony. FDC is authorized to provide 
supervision to misdemeanor offenders sentenced or placed on probation by a circuit court when 
such supervision is ordered by the sentencing court. 
 
Sexual Misconduct 
Section 944.35, F.S., prohibits any employee of FDC or a private correctional facility from 
engaging in sexual misconduct, without committing sexual battery, with an inmate or an offender 
supervised by FDC in the community. 
 
Under s. 944.35, F.S., sexual misconduct means the oral, anal, or female genital penetration by, 
or union with, the sexual organ of another or the anal or female genital penetration of another by 
any other object, but does not include an act done for a bona fide medical purpose or an internal 
search conducted in the lawful performance of an employee’s duty. 
 
An employee may not raise the consent of an inmate or a supervised offender as a defense. A 
violation of the prohibition is a third degree felony.
3
 
 
The prohibition against sexual misconduct does not apply to: 
 Any employee of FDC or any employee of a private correctional facility who is legally 
married to an inmate or a supervised offender; or 
 Any employee who has no knowledge, and would have no reason to believe, that the 
person with whom the employee has engaged in sexual misconduct is an inmate or a 
supervised offender.
4
 
 
Sexual Battery 
 
Section 794.011, F.S., criminalizes sexual battery offenses. Sexual battery means oral, anal, or 
female genital penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another or the anal or female 
genital penetration of another by any other object. Sexual battery is generally a second degree 
felony, but the penalty may differ based on the offender’s age, the victim’s age, and the presence 
of other specified circumstances.
5
 
 
When the offender is a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation 
officer
6
,
 
or is an elected official exempt from such certification,
7 
or any other person in a position 
of control or authority in a probation, community control, controlled release, detention, custodial, 
                                                
1
 S. 944.02(2), F.S. 
2
 S. 944.710, F.S. 
3
 A third degree felony is punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine. Ss. 775.082,  775.083, or 775.084 , F.S. 
4
 S. 944.35(3)(b)4., F.S. 
5
 See 794.011, F.S. 
6
 As defined in s. 943.10(1), (2), (3), (6), (7), (8), or (9), F.S. 
7
 Under ss. 943.1395 or 943.253, F.S.  STORAGE NAME: h0929d.JDC 	PAGE: 3 
DATE: 3/31/2023 
  
or similar setting, and such officer, official, or person is acting in such a manner as to lead the 
victim to reasonably believe that the offender is in a position of control or authority as an agent or 
employee of the government,
8
 the penalty for committing sexual battery increases to a first 
degree felony.
9
 
 
Volunteers 
 
Section 944.705, F.S., authorizes a nonprofit faith-based or professional business, or a civic or 
community organization, to apply for registration with FDC to provide inmate reentry services. Such 
reentry services may include, but are not limited to: 
 Counseling; 
 Providing information on housing and job placement; 
 Money management assistance; and 
 Programs that address substance abuse, mental health, or co-occurring conditions. 
 
FDC is required to adopt policies and procedures for screening, approving, and registering an 
organization that applies to provide inmate reentry services. FDC is authorized to deny approval 
and registration of an organization or representative from an organization it determines does not 
meet FDC’s criteria. There are over 8,000 citizen volunteers working to deliver programs and 
provide valuable services and skills to inmates, offenders, and staff in FDC’s 143 facilities 
statewide.
10
 
 
Current law does not prohibit all persons who may perform work or services within FDC or a private 
correctional facility from engaging in sexual misconduct with an inmate or a supervised offender. 
 
Private Correctional Institutions 
 
In 1989, the Legislature authorized the construction and operation of private correctional institutions. 
FDC was provided authorization to enter into contracts with private corrections firms for the design, 
construction and operation of private correctional facilities.
11
 The initial purpose of correctional 
privatization was to discover options to improve efficiencies in the correctional system while also 
reducing the costs associated with the state’s rising inmate population under the supervision of FDC.  
The first private prison was contracted for by FDC, and upon the completion of construction in 1995, the 
first privately operated facility opened in Florida. 
 
Correctional Privatization Commission Act 
 
In 1994, the Legislature established the Correctional Privatization Commission (Commission) for the 
purpose of entering into contracts for the design, construction and operation of private correctional 
facilities.
12
 The Commission, which was housed within the Department of Management Services 
(DMS), was independent of the FDC.  Upon creation of the Commission, oversight for the design, 
construction and operation of private correctional facilities was transferred from FDC to the 
Commission.  The Commission entered into contracts for six additional private correctional facilities.   
 
 
 
Department of Management Services – Bureau of Private Prison Monitoring 
 
During the 2004 legislative session, the Commission was repealed in its entirety and all of its functions, 
duties and responsibilities were transferred to DMS, effective July 1, 2005.
13
 Currently, the Bureau of 
                                                
8
 S. 794.011(4)(e)7, F.S. 
9
 A first degree felony is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Ss. 775.082, 775.083, or 775.084, F.S. 
10
 Volunteers and Programs, Florida Department of Corrections, www.dc.state.fl.us/volunteer/volunteersandprograms.html (last visited 
Mar. 16, 2023). 
11
 Ch. 89-526, Laws of Fla. 
12
 Ch. 93-406, Laws of Fla. 
13
 Ch. 04-248, Laws of Fla.  STORAGE NAME: h0929d.JDC 	PAGE: 4 
DATE: 3/31/2023 
  
Private Prison Monitoring (Bureau) within DMS is responsible for contract negotiation and oversight 
relating to privately operated correctional facilities in Florida.
14
 
 
The Bureau is responsible for the oversight and contractual compliance of the private prison 
system. The Bureau manages and oversees the operational contracts for the seven private 
correctional facilities and ensures that vendors comply with contractual obligations to improve the 
efficiency and effectiveness of private correctional facilities in Florida. 
 
In accordance with ch. 957, F.S., the Bureau may not enter into a contract unless it determines that the 
contract or series of contracts in total for the facility will result in cost savings to the state of at least 
seven percent over FDC’s cost to operate an equivalent facility. Upon a determination of savings, the 
Bureau enters into an “Operations and Management Contract” with a private vendor to operate the 
facility for an agreed daily per diem rate, which includes the cost of all facility operations and the cost of 
the contract manager employed by the Bureau.
15
 The Bureau currently has 15 authorized FTE positions 
and appropriations totaling $3,034,190.
16
 
 
Effect of Proposed Changes 
 
CS/CS/CS/HB 929 amends s. 944.35, F.S., to prohibit any volunteer in, or employee of a contractor 
or subcontractor of, FDC or a private correctional facility from engaging in sexual misconduct, 
without committing sexual battery, with an inmate or an offender supervised by FDC in the 
community. Under the bill, a volunteer or employee of a contractor or subcontractor of FDC or a 
private correctional facility commits a third degree felony if he or she engages in sexual 
misconduct with an inmate or a supervised offender. 
 
The bill provides an exception to the criminal penalty for engaging in sexual misconduct if any 
volunteer, or employee of a contractor or subcontractor, of FDC or a private correctional facility is 
legally married to an inmate or a supervised offender or if the volunteer or specified employee has 
no knowledge, or reason to know, the person with whom he or she engaged in sexual misconduct 
was an inmate or supervised offender. 
 
Under the bill, a volunteer is defined as a person registered with the department or a private 
correctional facility who is engaged in specific voluntary service activities on an ongoing or 
continual basis. 
 
The bill also transfers the Bureau of Private Prison Monitoring, including all of its functions, duties 
and responsibilities relating to the oversight and operation of private correctional facilities from 
DMS to FDC via a type two transfer.
17
 
 
The bill specifies that the type two transfer does not affect existing agreements, bonds, certificates 
of participation, or other instruments of indebtedness entered into by DMS and that such 
undertakings continue to be valid and binding on FDC in accordance with their respective terms, 
conditions, and covenants. 
 
The bill provides an effective date of October 1, 2023. 
 
B. SECTION DIRECTORY: 
Section 1: Amends s. 944.35, F.S., relating to sexual misconduct in the correctional system. 
 
Section 2: Authorizes a type two transfer of all records, property, personnel, administrative authority, 
pending issues, existing contracts, and unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations, and other 
                                                
14
 Private Prison Monitoring, https://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/private_prison_monitoring (last visited Mar. 16, 2023) 
15
 Id. 
16
 Specific Appropriations 2833–2842A, ch. 2022-156, Laws of Fla. 
17
 S. 20.06(2), F.S.  STORAGE NAME: h0929d.JDC 	PAGE: 5 
DATE: 3/31/2023 
  
funds of the Bureau of Private Prison Monitoring within the Department of Management Services to the 
Department of Corrections. 
 
Section 3: Amends s. 287.042(17), F.S., relating to the powers, duties, and functions of the 
Department of Management Services pertaining to private correctional facilities. 
 
Section 4: Amends s. 394.9151, F.S., relating to contract authority of the Department of Children and 
Families when contracting with the Department of Corrections. 
 
Section 5: Amends s. 943.13, F.S., relating to minimum qualifications for employment of appointment 
by a private entity under contract with the Department of Corrections.  
  
Section 6: Amends s. 944.02, F.S., relating to the definition of “Elderly offender.” 
 
Section 7: Amends s. 944.115, F.S., relating to smoking prohibitions inside state correctional facilities. 
 
Section 8: Amends s. 944.72, F.S., relating to the Privately Operated Institutions Inmate Welfare Trust 
Fund. 
 
Section 9: Amends s. 944.8041, F.S., relating to Elderly offenders annual review with the Correctional 
Medical Authority. 
 
Section 10: Amends s. 945.215, F.S., relating to the contracting entity of privately operated 
correctional institutions and associated reporting. 
 
Section 11: Amends s. 957.04, F.S., relating to contractual requirements for contract negotiation. 
 
Section 12: Amends s. 957.06, F.S., relating to requirements for delegation of powers and/or duties. 
 
Section 13: Amends s. 957.07, F.S., relating to cost-saving requirements when negotiating contracts 
for private correctional facilities. 
 
Section 14: Amends s. 957.08, F.S., relating to capacity requirements for private correctional facilities. 
 
Section 15: Amends s. 957.14, F.S., relating to contract termination and control of a private 
correctional facility. 
 
Section 16: Amends s. 957.15, F.S., relating to the funding of contracts for operation, maintenance, 
and lease-purchase of private correctional facilities. 
 
Section 17: Amends s. 957.16, F.S., relating to the expansion of capacity for existing private 
correctional facilities. 
 
Section 18: Provides an effective date of October 1, 2023. 
 
 
II.  FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT 
 
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT: 
 
1. Revenues: 
None. 
 
2. Expenditures:  STORAGE NAME: h0929d.JDC 	PAGE: 6 
DATE: 3/31/2023 
  
The bill may have a positive indeterminate prison bed impact by expanding the prohibitions of the 
third degree felony of sexual misconduct. 
 
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: 
 
1. Revenues: 
None. 
 
2. Expenditures: 
The bill may have a positive indeterminate jail bed impact by expanding the prohibitions of the third 
degree felony of sexual misconduct. 
 
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR: 
None. 
 
D. FISCAL COMMENTS: 
The bill transfers all functions, duties, and responsibilities relating to oversight and operation of private 
correctional facilities from DMS to FDC via type two transfer, including 15 authorized FTE positions and 
associated appropriations. 
 
III.  COMMENTS 
 
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES: 
 
 1. Applicability of Municipality/County Mandates Provision: 
None. 
 
 2. Other: 
None. 
 
B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY: 
None. 
 
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS: 
None. 
 
 
 
IV.  AMENDMENTS/COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES 
On March 13, 2023 the Criminal Justice Subcommittee adopted a strike-all amendment and reported the 
bill favorably as a committee substitute. The committee substitute differed from the original bill as it:  
 Added volunteers, and employees of subcontractors or contractors, of a private correctional facility 
to the persons prohibited from engaging in sexual misconduct with an inmate or supervised 
offender;  
 Revised the exception to the criminal penalty for sexual misconduct to also apply to a volunteer, or 
employee of a contractor or subcontractor, of DOC or a private correctional facility when such a 
person is married to an inmate or supervised offender or has no knowledge, or reason to know, the 
person with whom he or she engaged in sexual misconduct was an inmate or supervised offender; 
and  
 Defined the term “volunteer.” 
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DATE: 3/31/2023 
  
On March 21, 2023, the Justice Appropriations Subcommittee adopted a proposed committee substitute 
(PCS) and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute.  
 
The PCS differed from the committee substitute by transferring the Bureau of Private Prison Monitoring, 
including all of its functions, duties and responsibilities relating to the oversight and operation of private 
correctional facilities from DMS to FDC via a type two transfer. 
 
On March 31, 2023, the Judiciary Committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably as a 
committee substitute. The committee substitute clarified that the type two transfer in the bill does not affect 
existing agreements, bonds, certificates of participation, or other instruments of indebtedness entered into 
by DMS and that such undertakings continue to be valid and binding on FDC in accordance with their 
respective terms, conditions, and covenants. 
 
This analysis is drafted to the committee substitute as passed by the Judiciary Committee.