Florida 2024 2024 Regular Session

Florida House Bill H1619 Introduced / Bill

Filed 01/09/2024

                       
 
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A bill to be entitled 1 
An act relating to carrying and possession of weapons 2 
and firearms; amending s. 790.001, F.S.; revising the 3 
definition of the term "law enforcement officer"; 4 
amending s. 790.013, F.S.; prohibiting the carrying of 5 
a concealed handgun or an unconcealed firea rm without 6 
a license and the possession of such handgun or 7 
firearm without valid identification; providing 8 
penalties; repealing s. 790.02, F.S., relating to 9 
arrests without warrant and upon probable cause; 10 
repealing s. 790.051, F.S., relating to an exempti on 11 
from licensing requirements for law enforcement 12 
officers; amending s. 790.053, F.S.; allowing the open 13 
carrying of any otherwise legal firearm or electric 14 
weapon or device; deleting provisions prohibiting open 15 
carry; amending s. 790.06, F.S.; deleting p rovisions 16 
relating to the collection of fees for licenses to 17 
carry concealed weapons or concealed firearms; 18 
revising the list of places into which a person may 19 
not carry a handgun or concealed weapon or concealed 20 
firearm; providing exceptions; amending s. 790.0625, 21 
F.S.; deleting provisions relating to collection of 22 
fees by tax collectors for licenses to carry concealed 23 
weapons or concealed firearms; amending s. 790.065, 24 
F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the 25     
 
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act; amending s. 790.115, F.S.; dele ting a provision 26 
allowing school districts to restrict the possession 27 
of a weapon or firearm in a vehicle in compliance with 28 
specified provisions; amending s. 790.222, F.S.; 29 
revising the definition of the term "bump -fire stock"; 30 
amending s. 790.25, F.S.; c onforming provisions to 31 
changes made by the act; revising a provision 32 
concerning possession of a handgun or other weapon 33 
within the interior of a private conveyance; amending 34 
s. 790.251, F.S.; deleting specified exceptions to 35 
statutory protections of the r ight to keep and bear 36 
arms in motor vehicles; amending s. 790.401, F.S.; 37 
providing an indigent person a right to counsel in 38 
risk protection proceedings; deleting a prohibition on 39 
the award of attorney fees in such proceedings; 40 
revising provisions concernin g the conduct of remote 41 
hearings; authorizing, rather than requiring, a court 42 
to issue a risk protection order in certain 43 
circumstances; revising factors to be considered in 44 
determining whether to grant a risk protection order; 45 
deleting provisions for temp orary ex parte risk 46 
protection orders; deleting provisions eliminating 47 
liability for acts or omissions related to obtaining 48 
certain risk protection orders; amending ss. 27.53, 49 
943.051, 943.0585, 943.059, and 985.11, F.S.; 50     
 
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conforming provisions to changes m ade by the act; 51 
providing an effective date. 52 
 53 
 WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that the Second Amendment to 54 
the United States Constitution guarantees that the right to keep 55 
and bear arms is a fundamental individual right that is 56 
incorporated to the stat e and shall not be infringed, and 57 
  WHEREAS, the Legislature acknowledges that s. 8(a), Art. I 58 
of the State Constitution declares that "The right of the people 59 
to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves and of the lawful 60 
authority of the state shall n ot be infringed, except that the 61 
manner of bearing arms may be regulated by law," and 62 
  WHEREAS, the Florida appellate courts have found the 63 
issuance of a license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm to 64 
be a privilege and not a vested right, and 65 
 WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that any regulation of a 66 
manner of bearing arms that constitutes a general ban on 67 
unconcealed carry or a general ban on the carry or possession of 68 
an entire class of arms that is in common use for lawful 69 
purposes would be an unconst itutional infringement of the 70 
fundamental individual rights of the people guaranteed by both 71 
the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and s. 8, 72 
Art. I of the State Constitution, and 73 
 WHEREAS, the Legislature seeks to protect the fundamental 74 
individual right to keep and bear arms, NOW, THEREFORE, 75     
 
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 77 
 78 
 Section 1.  Paragraph (g) is added to subsection (12) of 79 
section 790.001, Florida Statutes, to read: 80 
 790.001  Definitions. —As used in this chapter, except where 81 
the context otherwise requires: 82 
 (12)  "Law enforcement officer" means: 83 
 (g)  A person holding a judicial office, as defined in s. 84 
105.011(1). 85 
 Section 2.  Section 790.013, Florida Statutes, is amended 86 
to read: 87 
 790.013  Carrying of concealed weapons , or concealed 88 
handguns, or unconcealed firearms without a license. —A person 89 
who carries a concealed weapon , a or concealed handgun, or an 90 
unconcealed firearm without a license as authorized under s. 91 
790.01(1)(b) or s. 790.053(1)(b): 92 
 (1)(a)  Must carry valid identification at all times when 93 
he or she is in actual possession of a concealed weapon , a or 94 
concealed handgun, or an unconcealed firearm and must display 95 
such identification upon demand by a law enforcement officer. 96 
 (b)  A violation of this subsection is a noncriminal 97 
violation punishable by a $25 fine, payable to the clerk of the 98 
court. 99 
 (2)  Is subject to s. 790.06(12) in the same manner as a 100     
 
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person who is licensed to carry a concealed weapon or concealed 101 
firearm. 102 
 Section 3.  Section 790.02, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 103 
 Section 4.  Section 790.051, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 104 
 Section 5.  Section 790.053, Florida Statutes, is amended 105 
to read: 106 
 790.053  Open carrying of weapons. — 107 
 (1) Except as otherwise provided by law and in subsection 108 
(2), it is lawful unlawful for any person to openly carry on or 109 
about his or her person any otherwise legal firearm or electric 110 
weapon or device. It is not a violation of this section for a 111 
person who carries a concealed firearm a s authorized in s. 112 
790.01(1) to briefly and openly display the firearm to the 113 
ordinary sight of another person, unless the firearm is 114 
intentionally displayed in an angry or threatening manner, not 115 
in necessary self-defense. 116 
 (2)  A person may openly carry, for purposes of lawful 117 
self-defense: 118 
 (a)  A self-defense chemical spray. 119 
 (b)  A nonlethal stun gun or dart -firing stun gun or other 120 
nonlethal electric weapon or device that is designed solely for 121 
defensive purposes. 122 
 (3)  Any person violating this secti on commits a 123 
misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 124 
775.082 or s. 775.083. 125     
 
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 Section 6.  Subsections (16) through (18) of section 126 
790.06, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (15) 127 
through (17), respectively, and paragrap h (b) of subsection (5), 128 
paragraphs (b) and (e) of subsection (6), subsection (11), 129 
paragraph (a) of subsection (12), and present subsection (15) of 130 
that section are amended to read: 131 
 790.06  License to carry concealed weapon or concealed 132 
firearm.— 133 
 (5)  The applicant shall submit to the Department of 134 
Agriculture and Consumer Services or an approved tax collector 135 
pursuant to s. 790.0625: 136 
 (b)  A nonrefundable license fee of up to $55 if he or she 137 
has not previously been issued a statewide license or of up t o 138 
$45 for renewal of a statewide license. The cost of processing 139 
fingerprints as required in paragraph (c) shall be borne by the 140 
state from general revenue applicant. However, an individual 141 
holding an active certification from the Criminal Justice 142 
Standards and Training Commission as a law enforcement officer, 143 
correctional officer, or correctional probation officer as 144 
defined in s. 943.10(1), (2), (3), (6), (7), (8), or (9) is 145 
exempt from the licensing requirements of this section. If such 146 
individual wishes to receive a concealed weapon or concealed 147 
firearm license, he or she is exempt from the background 148 
investigation and all background investigation fees but must pay 149 
the current license fees regularly required to be paid by 150     
 
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nonexempt applicants . Further, a law enforcement officer, a 151 
correctional officer, or a correctional probation officer as 152 
defined in s. 943.10(1), (2), or (3) is exempt from the required 153 
fees and background investigation for 1 year after his or her 154 
retirement. 155 
 (6) 156 
 (b)  The sheriff's off ice shall provide fingerprinting 157 
service if requested by the applicant and may charge a fee not 158 
to exceed $5 for this service . 159 
 (e)  A consular security official of a foreign government 160 
that maintains diplomatic relations and treaties of commerce, 161 
friendship, and navigation with the United States and is 162 
certified as such by the foreign government and by the 163 
appropriate embassy in this country must be issued a license 164 
within 20 days after the date of the receipt of a completed 165 
application, certification docu ment, color photograph as 166 
specified in paragraph (5)(e) , and a nonrefundable license fee 167 
of $300. Consular security official licenses shall be valid for 168 
1 year and may be renewed upon completion of the application 169 
process as provided in this section. 170 
 (11)(a)  At least 90 days before the expiration date of the 171 
license, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 172 
shall mail to each licensee a written notice of the expiration 173 
and a renewal form prescribed by the Department of Agriculture 174 
and Consumer Services. The licensee must renew his or her 175     
 
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license on or before the expiration date by filing with the 176 
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services the renewal form 177 
containing an affidavit submitted under oath and under penalty 178 
of perjury stating that the licensee remains qualified pursuant 179 
to the criteria specified in subsections (2) and (3), and a 180 
color photograph as specified in paragraph (5)(e) , and the 181 
required renewal fee . Out-of-state residents must also submit a 182 
complete set of fingerprints and fingerprint processing fee . The 183 
license shall be renewed upon receipt of the completed renewal 184 
form, color photograph, appropriate payment of fees, and, if 185 
applicable, fingerprints. Additionally, a licensee who fails to 186 
file a renewal application on or be fore its expiration date must 187 
renew his or her license by paying a late fee of $15. A license 188 
may not be renewed 180 days or more after its expiration date, 189 
and such a license is deemed to be permanently expired. A person 190 
whose license has been permanently expired may reapply for 191 
licensure; however, an application for licensure and fees under 192 
subsection (5) must be submitted, and a background investigation 193 
shall be conducted pursuant to this section. A person who 194 
knowingly files false information under this subsection is 195 
subject to criminal prosecution under s. 837.06. 196 
 (b)  A license issued to a servicemember, as defined in s. 197 
250.01, is subject to paragraph (a); however, such a license 198 
does not expire while the servicemember is serving on military 199 
orders that have taken him or her over 35 miles from his or her 200     
 
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residence and shall be ext ended, as provided in this paragraph, 201 
for up to 180 days after his or her return to such residence. If 202 
the license renewal requirements in paragraph (a) are met within 203 
the 180-day extension period, the servicemember may not be 204 
charged any additional costs, such as, but not limited to, late 205 
fees or delinquency fees, above the normal license fees. The 206 
servicemember must present to the Department of Agriculture and 207 
Consumer Services a copy of his or her official military orders 208 
or a written verification from t he member's commanding officer 209 
before the end of the 180 -day period in order to qualify for the 210 
extension. 211 
 (12)(a)  A license issued under this section does not 212 
authorize any person to openly carry a handgun or carry a 213 
concealed weapon or concealed firear m into: 214 
 1.  Any place of nuisance as defined in s. 823.05; 215 
 2.  Any police, sheriff, or highway patrol station; 216 
 3.  Any detention facility, prison, or jail; 217 
 4.  Any courthouse, except that nothing in this 218 
subparagraph precludes a judge from carrying a weapon or firearm 219 
or determining who will carry a concealed weapon or concealed 220 
firearm in his or her courtroom or chambers, and this exception 221 
shall not extend to any parking facility in or near any 222 
courthouse; 223 
 5.  Any courtroom, except that nothing in t his section 224 
precludes a judge from carrying a concealed weapon or concealed 225     
 
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firearm or determining who will carry a concealed weapon or 226 
concealed firearm in his or her courtroom; 227 
 6.  Any polling place; 228 
 6.7. Any meeting of the governing body of a county, public 229 
school district, municipality, or special district; 230 
 7.8. Any meeting of the Legislature or a committee 231 
thereof, except that nothing in this section precludes a member 232 
of the Legislature from carrying a concealed weapon or concealed 233 
firearm in such meeting or in the Capitol Complex, as defined in 234 
s. 281.01; 235 
 9.  Any school, college, or professional athletic event not 236 
related to firearms; 237 
 8.10. Any elementary or secondary school facility or 238 
administration building; 239 
 11.  Any career center; 240 
 9.12.  Any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense 241 
alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, which 242 
portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to such 243 
purpose; 244 
 13.  Any college or university facility unless the licensee 245 
is a registered student, employee, or faculty member of such 246 
college or university and the weapon is a stun gun or nonlethal 247 
electric weapon or device designed solely for defensive purposes 248 
and the weapon does not fire a dart or projectile; 249 
 10.14. The inside of the pas senger terminal and sterile 250     
 
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area of any airport, provided that no person shall be prohibited 251 
from carrying any legal firearm into the terminal, which firearm 252 
is encased for shipment for purposes of checking such firearm as 253 
baggage to be lawfully transporte d on any aircraft; or 254 
 11.15. Any place where the carrying of firearms is 255 
prohibited by federal law. 256 
 (15)  All funds received by the sheriff pursuant to the 257 
provisions of this section shall be deposited into the general 258 
revenue fund of the county and sha ll be budgeted to the sheriff. 259 
 Section 7.  Subsections (6) through (8) of section 260 
790.0625, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (5) 261 
through (7), respectively, and present subsections (5) and (8) 262 
of that section are amended to read: 263 
 790.0625 Appointment of tax collectors to accept 264 
applications for a concealed weapon or firearm license; fees; 265 
penalties.— 266 
 (5)  A tax collector appointed under this section may 267 
collect and retain a convenience fee of $22 for each new 268 
application and $12 for each renewal application and shall remit 269 
weekly to the department the license fees pursuant to s. 790.06 270 
for deposit in the Division of Licensing Trust Fund. 271 
 (7)(8) Upon receipt of a completed renewal application 272 
and, a new color photograph , and appropriate payment of fees, a 273 
tax collector authorized to accept renewal applications for 274 
concealed weapon or firearm licenses under this section may, 275     
 
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upon approval and confirmation of license issuance by the 276 
department, print and deliver a concealed weapon or firear m 277 
license to a licensee renewing his or her license at the tax 278 
collector's office. 279 
 Section 8.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 280 
790.065, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 281 
 790.065  Sale and delivery of firearms. — 282 
 (1)(a)  A licensed import er, licensed manufacturer, or 283 
licensed dealer may not sell or deliver from her or his 284 
inventory at her or his licensed premises any firearm to another 285 
person, other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, 286 
licensed dealer, or licensed collector, un til she or he has: 287 
 1.  Obtained a completed form from the potential buyer or 288 
transferee, which form shall have been promulgated by the 289 
Department of Law Enforcement and provided by the licensed 290 
importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer, which sh all 291 
include the name, date of birth, gender, race, and social 292 
security number or other identification number of such potential 293 
buyer or transferee and has inspected proper identification 294 
including an identification containing a photograph of the 295 
potential buyer or transferee. 296 
 2.  Collected a fee from the potential buyer for processing 297 
the criminal history check of the potential buyer. The fee shall 298 
be established by the Department of Law Enforcement and may not 299 
exceed $8 per transaction. The Department of Law Enforcement may 300     
 
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reduce, or suspend collection of, the fee to reflect payment 301 
received from the Federal Government applied to the cost of 302 
maintaining the criminal history check system established by 303 
this section as a means of facilitating or supplementi ng the 304 
National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The 305 
Department of Law Enforcement shall, by rule, establish 306 
procedures for the fees to be transmitted by the licensee to the 307 
Department of Law Enforcement. Such procedures must provide that 308 
fees may be paid or transmitted by electronic means, including, 309 
but not limited to, debit cards, credit cards, or electronic 310 
funds transfers. All such fees shall be deposited into the 311 
Department of Law Enforcement Operating Trust Fund, but shall be 312 
segregated from all other funds deposited into such trust fund 313 
and must be accounted for separately. Such segregated funds must 314 
not be used for any purpose other than the operation of the 315 
criminal history checks required by this section. The Department 316 
of Law Enforcement, each year before February 1, shall make a 317 
full accounting of all receipts and expenditures of such funds 318 
to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of 319 
Representatives, the majority and minority leaders of each house 320 
of the Legislature, and the chairs of the appropriations 321 
committees of each house of the Legislature. In the event that 322 
the cumulative amount of funds collected exceeds the cumulative 323 
amount of expenditures by more than $2.5 million, excess funds 324 
may be used for the purpose of pu rchasing soft body armor for 325     
 
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law enforcement officers. 326 
 2.3. Requested, by means of a toll -free telephone call or 327 
other electronic means, the Department of Law Enforcement to 328 
conduct a check of the information as reported and reflected in 329 
the Florida Crime Information Center and National Crime 330 
Information Center systems as of the date of the request. 331 
 3.4. Received a unique approval number for that inquiry 332 
from the Department of Law Enforcement, and recorded the date 333 
and such number on the consent form. 334 
 Section 9.  Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (2) of 335 
section 790.115, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 336 
 790.115  Possessing or discharging weapons or firearms at a 337 
school-sponsored event or on school property prohibited; 338 
penalties; exceptions. — 339 
 (2)(a)  A person shall not possess any firearm, electric 340 
weapon or device, destructive device, or other weapon as defined 341 
in s. 790.001, including a razor blade or box cutter, except as 342 
authorized in support of school -sanctioned activities, at a 343 
school-sponsored event or on the property of any school, school 344 
bus, or school bus stop; however, a person may carry a firearm: 345 
 1.  In a case to a firearms program, class or function 346 
which has been approved in advance by the principal or chief 347 
administrative offic er of the school as a program or class to 348 
which firearms could be carried; 349 
 2.  In a case to a career center having a firearms training 350     
 
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range; or 351 
 3.  In a vehicle pursuant to s. 790.25(4) ; except that 352 
school districts may adopt written and published policies that 353 
waive the exception in this subparagraph for purposes of student 354 
and campus parking privileges . 355 
 356 
For the purposes of this section, "school" means any preschool, 357 
elementary school, middle school, junior high school, secondary 358 
school, career center, or postsecondary school, whether public 359 
or nonpublic. 360 
 (c)1.  Except as provided in paragraph (e), a person who 361 
willfully and knowingly possesses any firearm in violation of 362 
this subsection commits a felony of the third degree, punishable 363 
as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 364 
 2.  A person who stores or leaves a loaded firearm within 365 
the reach or easy access of a minor who obtains the firearm and 366 
commits a violation of subparagraph 1. commits a misdemeanor of 367 
the second degree, punisha ble as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 368 
775.083; except that this does not apply if the firearm was 369 
stored or left in a securely locked box or container or in a 370 
location which a reasonable person would have believed to be 371 
secure, or was securely locked with a firearm-mounted push-372 
button combination lock or a trigger lock; if the minor obtains 373 
the firearm as a result of an unlawful entry by any person; or 374 
to members of the Armed Forces, National Guard, or State 375     
 
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Militia, or to police or other law enforcement offi cers, with 376 
respect to firearm possession by a minor which occurs during or 377 
incidental to the performance of their official duties. 378 
 Section 10.  Section 790.222, Florida Statutes, is amended 379 
to read: 380 
 790.222  Bump-fire stocks prohibited. —A person may not 381 
import into this state or transfer, distribute, sell, keep for 382 
sale, offer for sale, possess, or give to another person a bump -383 
fire stock. A person who violates this section commits a felony 384 
of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 385 
775.083, or s. 775.084. As used in this section, the term "bump -386 
fire stock" means a conversion kit, a tool, an accessory, or a 387 
device used to alter the rate of fire of a firearm to mimic 388 
automatic weapon fire or which is used to increase the rate of 389 
fire to a faster rate than is possible for a person to fire such 390 
semiautomatic firearm unassisted by a kit, a tool, an accessory, 391 
or a device. 392 
 Section 11.  Subsection (2) and paragraph (a) of subsection 393 
(4) of section 790.25, Florida Statutes, are amended to r ead: 394 
 790.25  Lawful ownership, possession, and use of firearms 395 
and other weapons.— 396 
 (2)  LAWFUL USES.—Notwithstanding ss. 790.01 , 790.053, and 397 
790.06, the following persons may own, possess, and lawfully use 398 
firearms and other weapons, ammunition, and sup plies for lawful 399 
purposes if they are not otherwise prohibited from owning or 400     
 
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possessing a firearm under state or federal law: 401 
 (a)  Members of the Militia, National Guard, Florida State 402 
Guard, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast 403 
Guard, organized reserves, and other armed forces of the state 404 
and of the United States, when on duty, when training or 405 
preparing themselves for military duty, or while subject to 406 
recall or mobilization; 407 
 (b)  Citizens of this state subject to duty in the Armed 408 
Forces under s. 2, Art. X of the State Constitution, under 409 
chapters 250 and 251, and under federal laws, when on duty or 410 
when training or preparing themselves for military duty; 411 
 (c)  Persons carrying out or training for emergency 412 
management duties under c hapter 252; 413 
 (d)  Sheriffs, marshals, prison or jail wardens, police 414 
officers, Florida highway patrol officers, game wardens, revenue 415 
officers, forest officials, special officers appointed under the 416 
provisions of chapter 354, and other peace and law enforc ement 417 
officers and their deputies and assistants and full -time paid 418 
peace officers of other states and of the Federal Government who 419 
are carrying out official duties while in this state; 420 
 (e)  Officers or employees of the state or United States 421 
duly authorized to carry a concealed weapon or a concealed 422 
firearm; 423 
 (f)  Guards or messengers of common carriers, express 424 
companies, armored car carriers, mail carriers, banks, and other 425     
 
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financial institutions, while actually employed in and about the 426 
shipment, transportation, or delivery of any money, treasure, 427 
bullion, bonds, or other thing of value within this state; 428 
 (g)  Regularly enrolled members of any organization duly 429 
authorized to purchase or receive weapons or firearms from the 430 
United States or from this s tate, or regularly enrolled members 431 
of clubs organized for target, skeet, or trap shooting, while at 432 
or going to or from shooting practice; or regularly enrolled 433 
members of clubs organized for modern or antique firearms 434 
collecting, while such members are a t or going to or from their 435 
collectors' gun shows, conventions, or exhibits; 436 
 (h)  A person engaged in fishing, camping, or lawful 437 
hunting or going to or returning from a fishing, camping, or 438 
lawful hunting expedition; 439 
 (i)  A person engaged in the busines s of manufacturing, 440 
repairing, or dealing in firearms, or the agent or 441 
representative of any such person while engaged in the lawful 442 
course of such business; 443 
 (j)  A person discharging a weapon or firearm for testing 444 
or target practice under safe condition s and in a safe place not 445 
prohibited by law or going to or from such place; 446 
 (k)  A person discharging a weapon or firearm in a safe and 447 
secure indoor range for testing and target practice; 448 
 (l)  A person traveling in a public conveyance when the 449 
weapon or firearm is securely encased and not in the person's 450     
 
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manual possession; 451 
 (m)  A person while carrying a handgun unloaded and in a 452 
secure wrapper, concealed or otherwise, from the place of 453 
purchase to his or her home or place of business or to a place 454 
of repair or back to his or her home or place of business; 455 
 (n)  A person possessing weapons or firearms at his or her 456 
home or place of business; 457 
 (o)  Investigators employed by the several public defenders 458 
of the state, while actually carrying out official dut ies, 459 
provided such investigators: 460 
 1.  Are employed full time; 461 
 2.  Meet the official training standards for firearms 462 
established by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training 463 
Commission as provided in s. 943.12(5) and the requirements of 464 
ss. 493.6108(1)(a) and 943.13(1)-(4); and 465 
 3.  Are individually designated by an affidavit of consent 466 
signed by the employing public defender and filed with the clerk 467 
of the circuit court in the county in which the employing public 468 
defender resides. 469 
 (p)  Investigators employed by the capital collateral 470 
regional counsel, while actually carrying out official duties, 471 
provided such investigators: 472 
 1.  Are employed full time; 473 
 2.  Meet the official training standards for firearms as 474 
established by the Criminal Justice Standa rds and Training 475     
 
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Commission as provided in s. 943.12(1) and the requirements of 476 
ss. 493.6108(1)(a) and 943.13(1) -(4); and 477 
 3.  Are individually designated by an affidavit of consent 478 
signed by the capital collateral regional counsel and filed with 479 
the clerk of the circuit court in the county in which the 480 
investigator is headquartered. 481 
 (q)1.  A tactical medical professional who is actively 482 
operating in direct support of a tactical operation by a law 483 
enforcement agency provided that: 484 
 a.  The tactical medical professional is lawfully able to 485 
possess firearms and has an active concealed weapon or concealed 486 
firearm license issued pursuant to s. 790.06. 487 
 b.  The tactical medical professional is appointed to a law 488 
enforcement tactical team of a law enforcement age ncy by the 489 
head of the law enforcement agency. 490 
 c.  The law enforcement agency has an established policy 491 
providing for the appointment, training, and deployment of the 492 
tactical medical professional. 493 
 d.  The tactical medical professional successfully 494 
completes a firearms safety training and tactical training as 495 
established or designated by the appointing law enforcement 496 
agency. 497 
 e.  The law enforcement agency provides and the tactical 498 
medical professional participates in annual firearm training and 499 
tactical training. 500     
 
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 2.  While actively operating in direct support of a 501 
tactical operation by a law enforcement agency, a tactical 502 
medical professional: 503 
 a.  May carry a firearm in the same manner as a law 504 
enforcement officer, as defined in s. 943.10 and, 505 
notwithstanding any other law, at any place a tactical law 506 
enforcement operation occurs. 507 
 b.  Has no duty to retreat and is justified in the use of 508 
any force which he or she reasonably believes is necessary to 509 
defend himself or herself or another from bodily harm. 510 
 c.  Has the same immunities and privileges as a law 511 
enforcement officer, as defined in s. 943.10, in a civil or 512 
criminal action arising out of a tactical law enforcement 513 
operation when acting within the scope of his or her official 514 
duties. 515 
 3.  This paragraph may not be construed to authorize a 516 
tactical medical professional to carry, transport, or store any 517 
firearm or ammunition on any fire apparatus or EMS vehicle. 518 
 4.  The appointing law enforcement agency shall issue any 519 
firearm or ammunition that the tactical medical professional 520 
carries in accordance with this paragraph. 521 
 5.  For the purposes of this paragraph, the term "tactical 522 
medical professional" means a paramedic, as defined in s. 523 
401.23, a physician, as defined in s. 458.305, or an osteopathic 524 
physician, as defined in s. 459.003, who is appointed to provide 525     
 
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direct support to a tactical law enforcement unit by providing 526 
medical services at high -risk incidents, including, but not 527 
limited to, hostage incidents, narcotics raids, hazardous 528 
surveillance, sniper incidents, armed suicidal persons, 529 
barricaded suspects, high -risk felony warrant service, fugitives 530 
refusing to surrender, and active shooter incidents. 531 
 (4)  POSSESSION IN PRIVATE CONVEYANCE. — 532 
 (a)  Notwithstanding s. 790.01, a person 18 years of age or 533 
older who is in lawful possession of a handgun or other weapon 534 
may possess such a handgun or weapon within the interior of a 535 
private conveyance if the handgun or weapon is securely encased 536 
or otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use. A person 537 
who possesses a handgun or other weapon as authorized under this 538 
paragraph may not carry the handgun or weapon on his or her 539 
person. 540 
 Section 12.  Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (7) of 541 
section 790.251, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 542 
 790.251  Protection of the right to keep and bear arms in 543 
motor vehicles for self -defense and other lawful purposes; 544 
prohibited acts; duty of public and private employers; immunity 545 
from liability; enforcement. — 546 
 (7)  EXCEPTIONS.—The prohibitions in subsec tion (4) do not 547 
apply to: 548 
 (a)  Any school property as defined and regulated under s. 549 
790.115. 550     
 
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 (b)  Any correctional institution regulated under s. 944.47 551 
or chapter 957. 552 
 Section 13.  Subsections (5) through (12) and (14) of 553 
section 790.401, Florida St atutes, are renumbered as subsections 554 
(4) through (11) and (12), respectively, paragraphs (e) through 555 
(j) of subsection (2) are redesignated as paragraphs (d) through 556 
(i), respectively, and paragraph (c) and present paragraph (d) 557 
of subsection (2), paragra phs (a), (b), (c), (g), and (h) of 558 
subsection (3), present subsection (4), paragraphs (a) and (c) 559 
of present subsection (6), paragraph (a) of present subsection 560 
(7), paragraph (d) of present subsection (8), and present 561 
subsections (9) and (13) of that sect ion are amended to read: 562 
 790.401  Risk protection orders. — 563 
 (2)  PETITION FOR A RISK PROTECTION ORDER. —There is created 564 
an action known as a petition for a risk protection order. 565 
 (c)  An indigent respondent is entitled to appointment of 566 
counsel to the same extent that an indigent person would be 567 
entitled to appointment of counsel in a felony criminal case 568 
Such petition for a risk protection order does not require 569 
either party to be represented by an attorney . 570 
 (d)  Notwithstanding any other law, attorney fees may not 571 
be awarded in any proceeding under this section. 572 
 (3)  RISK PROTECTION ORDER HEARINGS AND ISSUANCE. — 573 
 (a)  Upon receipt of a petition, the court must order a 574 
hearing to be held no later than 14 days after the date of the 575     
 
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order and must issue a notice of hearing to the respondent for 576 
the same. 577 
 1.  The clerk of the court shall cause a copy of the notice 578 
of hearing and petition to be forwarded on or before the next 579 
business day to the appropriate law enforcement agency for 580 
service upon the respon dent as provided in subsection (4) (5). 581 
 2.  The court may, as provided in subsection (4), issue a 582 
temporary ex parte risk protection order pending the hearing 583 
ordered under this subsection. Such temporary ex parte order 584 
must be served concurrently with the notice of hearing and 585 
petition as provided in subsection (5). 586 
 2.3. The court may conduct a hearing by remote video 587 
conference telephone pursuant to a local court rule to 588 
reasonably accommodate a disability or exceptional 589 
circumstances. The court must receive assurances of the 590 
petitioner's identity before conducting a telephonic hearing. 591 
 (b)  Upon notice and a hearing on the matter, if the court 592 
finds by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent poses 593 
a significant danger of causing personal i njury to himself or 594 
herself or others by having in his or her custody or control, or 595 
by purchasing, possessing, or receiving, a firearm or any 596 
ammunition, the court may must issue a risk protection order for 597 
a period that it deems appropriate, up to and in cluding but not 598 
exceeding 12 months. 599 
 (c)  In determining whether grounds for a risk protection 600     
 
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order exist, the court may consider any relevant evidence, 601 
including, but not limited to, any of the following: 602 
 1.  A recent act or threat of violence by the r espondent 603 
against himself or herself or others, whether or not such 604 
violence or threat of violence involves a firearm. 605 
 2.  An act or threat of violence by the respondent within 606 
the past 12 months, including, but not limited to, acts or 607 
threats of violence by the respondent against himself or herself 608 
or others. 609 
 3.  Evidence of the respondent being seriously mentally ill 610 
or having recurring mental health issues. 611 
 4.  A violation by the respondent of a risk protection 612 
order or a no contact order issued under s. 741.30, s. 784.046, 613 
or s. 784.0485. 614 
 5.  A previous or existing risk protection order issued 615 
against the respondent. 616 
 6.  A violation of a previous or existing risk protection 617 
order issued against the respondent. 618 
 7.  Whether the respondent, in this st ate or any other 619 
state, has been convicted of, had adjudication withheld on, or 620 
pled nolo contendere to a crime that constitutes domestic 621 
violence as defined in s. 741.28. 622 
 8.  Whether the respondent has used, or has threatened to 623 
use, against himself or h erself or others any weapons. 624 
 9.  The unlawful or reckless use, display, or brandishing 625     
 
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of a firearm by the respondent. 626 
 10.  The recurring use of, or threat to use, physical force 627 
by the respondent against another person or the respondent 628 
stalking another person. 629 
 11.  Whether the respondent, in this state or any other 630 
state, has been arrested for, convicted of, had adjudication 631 
withheld on, or pled nolo contendere to a crime involving 632 
violence or a threat of violence. 633 
 12.  Corroborated evidence of the a buse of controlled 634 
substances or alcohol by the respondent. 635 
 13.  Evidence of recent acquisition of firearms or 636 
ammunition by the respondent is only relevant if the respondent 637 
previously did not own or possess firearms or ammunition and one 638 
or more of the other factors in this paragraph is present . 639 
 14.  Any relevant information from family and household 640 
members concerning the respondent. 641 
 15.  Witness testimony, taken while the witness is under 642 
oath, relating to the matter before the court. 643 
 (g)  A risk protection order must include all of the 644 
following: 645 
 1.  A statement of the grounds supporting the issuance of 646 
the order; 647 
 2.  The date the order was issued; 648 
 3.  The date the order ends; 649 
 4.  Whether a mental health evaluation or chemical 650     
 
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dependency evaluation of the respondent is required; 651 
 5.  The address of the court in which any responsive 652 
pleading should be filed; 653 
 6.  A description of the requirements for the surrender of 654 
all firearms and ammunition that the respondent owns, under 655 
subsection (6) (7); and 656 
 7.  The following statement: 657 
"To the subject of this protection order: This order will last 658 
until the date noted above. If you have not done so already, you 659 
must surrender immediately to the (insert name of local law 660 
enforcement agency) all firearms and ammunition that you own in 661 
your custody, control, or possession and any license to carry a 662 
concealed weapon or firearm issued to you under s. 790.06, 663 
Florida Statutes. You may not have in your custody or control, 664 
or purchase, possess, receive, or attem pt to purchase or 665 
receive, a firearm or ammunition while this order is in effect. 666 
You have the right to request one hearing to vacate this order, 667 
starting after the date of the issuance of this order, and to 668 
request another hearing after every extension of the order, if 669 
any. You may seek the advice of an attorney as to any matter 670 
connected with this order." 671 
 (h)  If the court issues a risk protection order, the court 672 
must inform the respondent that he or she is entitled to request 673 
a hearing to vacate the or der in the manner provided by 674 
subsection (5) (6). The court shall provide the respondent with 675     
 
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a form to request a hearing to vacate. 676 
 (4)  TEMPORARY EX PARTE RISK PROTECTION ORDERS. — 677 
 (a)  A petitioner may request that a temporary ex parte 678 
risk protection order be issued before a hearing for a risk 679 
protection order, without notice to the respondent, by including 680 
in the petition detailed allegations based on personal knowledge 681 
that the respondent poses a significant danger of causing 682 
personal injury to himse lf or herself or others in the near 683 
future by having in his or her custody or control, or by 684 
purchasing, possessing, or receiving, a firearm or ammunition. 685 
 (b)  In considering whether to issue a temporary ex parte 686 
risk protection order under this section, the court shall 687 
consider all relevant evidence, including the evidence described 688 
in paragraph (3)(c). 689 
 (c)  If a court finds there is reasonable cause to believe 690 
that the respondent poses a significant danger of causing 691 
personal injury to himself or herse lf or others in the near 692 
future by having in his or her custody or control, or by 693 
purchasing, possessing, or receiving, a firearm or ammunition, 694 
the court must issue a temporary ex parte risk protection order. 695 
 (d)  The court must hold a temporary ex parte risk 696 
protection order hearing in person or by telephone on the day 697 
the petition is filed or on the business day immediately 698 
following the day the petition is filed. 699 
 (e)  A temporary ex parte risk protection order must 700     
 
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include all of the following: 701 
 1.  A statement of the grounds asserted for the order; 702 
 2.  The date the order was issued; 703 
 3.  The address of the court in which any responsive 704 
pleading may be filed; 705 
 4.  The date and time of the scheduled hearing; 706 
 5.  A description of the requirements for t he surrender of 707 
all firearms and ammunition that the respondent owns, under 708 
subsection (7); and 709 
 6.  The following statement: 710 
"To the subject of this protection order: This order is valid 711 
until the date noted above. You are required to surrender all 712 
firearms and ammunition that you own in your custody, control, 713 
or possession. You may not have in your custody or control, or 714 
purchase, possess, receive, or attempt to purchase or receive, a 715 
firearm or ammunition while this order is in effect. You must 716 
surrender immediately to the (insert name of local law 717 
enforcement agency) all firearms and ammunition in your custody, 718 
control, or possession and any license to carry a concealed 719 
weapon or firearm issued to you under s. 790.06, Florida 720 
Statutes. A hearing will be held on the date and at the time 721 
noted above to determine if a risk protection order should be 722 
issued. Failure to appear at that hearing may result in a court 723 
issuing an order against you which is valid for 1 year. You may 724 
seek the advice of an attorney as to any matter connected with 725     
 
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this order." 726 
 (f)  A temporary ex parte risk protection order ends upon 727 
the hearing on the risk protection order. 728 
 (g)  A temporary ex parte risk protection order must be 729 
served by a law enforcement officer in the same manner as 730 
provided for in subsection (5) for service of the notice of 731 
hearing and petition and must be served concurrently with the 732 
notice of hearing and petition. 733 
 (h)  If the court denies the petitioner's request for a 734 
temporary ex parte risk protection order, the court must state 735 
the particular reasons for the denial. 736 
 (5)(6) TERMINATION AND EXTENSION OF ORDERS. — 737 
 (a)  The respondent may submit one written request for a 738 
hearing to vacate a risk protection order issued under this 739 
section, starting after the dat e of the issuance of the order, 740 
and may request another hearing after every extension of the 741 
order, if any. 742 
 1.  Upon receipt of the request for a hearing to vacate a 743 
risk protection order, the court shall set a date for a hearing. 744 
Notice of the request mu st be served on the petitioner in 745 
accordance with subsection (4) (5). The hearing must occur no 746 
sooner than 14 days and no later than 30 days after the date of 747 
service of the request upon the petitioner. 748 
 2.  The respondent shall have the burden of proving by 749 
clear and convincing evidence that the respondent does not pose 750     
 
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a significant danger of causing personal injury to himself or 751 
herself or others by having in his or her custody or control, 752 
purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm or ammunition. 753 
The court may consider any relevant evidence, including evidence 754 
of the considerations listed in paragraph (3)(c). 755 
 3.  If the court finds after the hearing that the 756 
respondent has met his or her burden of proof, the court must 757 
vacate the order. 758 
 4.  The law enforcement agency holding any firearm or 759 
ammunition or license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm 760 
that has been surrendered pursuant to this section shall be 761 
notified of the court order to vacate the risk protection order. 762 
 (c)  The petitioner may, b y motion, request an extension of 763 
a risk protection order at any time within 30 days before the 764 
end of the order. 765 
 1.  Upon receipt of the motion to extend, the court shall 766 
order that a hearing be held no later than 14 days after the 767 
date the order is issu ed and shall schedule such hearing. 768 
 a.  The court may schedule a hearing by telephone in the 769 
manner provided by subparagraph (3)(a)2. (3)(a)3. 770 
 b.  The respondent must be personally serviced in the same 771 
manner provided by subsection (5). 772 
 2.  In determining whether to extend a risk protection 773 
order issued under this section, the court may consider all 774 
relevant evidence, including evidence of the considerations 775     
 
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listed in paragraph (3)(c). 776 
 3.  If the court finds by clear and convincing evide nce 777 
that the requirements for issuance of a risk protection order as 778 
provided in subsection (3) continue to be met, the court must 779 
extend the order. However, if, after notice, the motion for 780 
extension is uncontested and no modification of the order is 781 
sought, the order may be extended on the basis of a motion or 782 
affidavit stating that there has been no material change in 783 
relevant circumstances since entry of the order and stating the 784 
reason for the requested extension. 785 
 4.  The court may extend a risk prote ction order for a 786 
period that it deems appropriate, up to and including but not 787 
exceeding 12 months, subject to an order to vacate as provided 788 
in paragraph (a) or to another extension order by the court. 789 
 (6)(7) SURRENDER OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION. — 790 
 (a) Upon issuance of a risk protection order under this 791 
section, including a temporary ex parte risk protection order, 792 
the court shall order the respondent to surrender to the local 793 
law enforcement agency all firearms and ammunition owned by the 794 
respondent in the respondent's custody, control, or possession 795 
except as provided in subsection (8) (9), and any license to 796 
carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued under s. 790.06, held 797 
by the respondent. 798 
 (7)(8) RETURN AND DISPOSAL OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION. — 799 
 (d)  Any firearm and ammunition surrendered by a respondent 800     
 
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pursuant to subsection (6) (7) which remains unclaimed for 1 801 
year by the lawful owner after an order to vacate the risk 802 
protection order shall be disposed of in accordance with the law 803 
enforcement agency's policies and procedures for the disposal of 804 
firearms in police custody. 805 
 (8)(9) TRANSFER OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION. —A respondent 806 
may elect to transfer all firearms and ammunition owned by the 807 
respondent that have been surrendered to or seized by a local 808 
law enforcement agency pursuant to subsection (6) (7) to another 809 
person who is willing to receive the respondent's firearms and 810 
ammunition. The law enforcement agency must allow such a 811 
transfer only if it is determined that the chosen recipient: 812 
 (a)  Currently is eligible to own or possess a firearm and 813 
ammunition under federal and state law after confirmation 814 
through a background check; 815 
 (b)  Attests to storing the firearms and ammunition in a 816 
manner such that the respondent does not have access to or 817 
control of the firearms and ammunition until the risk protection 818 
order against the respondent is vacated or ends without 819 
extension; and 820 
 (c)  Attests not to transfer the firearms or ammunition 821 
back to the respondent until the risk protection order ag ainst 822 
the respondent is vacated or ends without extension. 823 
 (13)  LIABILITY.—Except as provided in subsection (8) or 824 
subsection (11), this section does not impose criminal or civil 825     
 
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liability on any person or entity for acts or omissions related 826 
to obtaining a risk protection order or temporary ex parte risk 827 
protection order, including, but not limited to, providing 828 
notice to the petitioner, a family or household member of the 829 
respondent, and any known third party who may be at risk of 830 
violence or failure to provide such notice, or reporting, 831 
declining to report, investigating, declining to investigate, 832 
filing, or declining to file, a petition under this section. 833 
 Section 14.  Subsections (1) and (4) of section 27.53, 834 
Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 835 
 27.53  Appointment of assistants and other staff; method of 836 
payment.— 837 
 (1)  The public defender of each judicial circuit is 838 
authorized to employ and establish, in such numbers as 839 
authorized by the General Appropriations Act, assistant public 840 
defenders and other staff and personnel pursuant to s. 29.006, 841 
who shall be paid from funds appropriated for that purpose. 842 
Notwithstanding s. 790.01 ss. 790.01 and 790.02 , an investigator 843 
employed by a public defender, while actually carrying out 844 
official duties, is au thorized to carry a concealed weapon or 845 
concealed firearm if the investigator complies with s. 846 
790.25(2)(o). However, such investigators are not eligible for 847 
membership in the Special Risk Class of the Florida Retirement 848 
System. The public defenders of all judicial circuits shall 849 
jointly develop a coordinated classification and pay plan which 850     
 
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shall be submitted on or before January 1 of each year to the 851 
Justice Administrative Commission, the office of the President 852 
of the Senate, and the office of the Speak er of the House of 853 
Representatives. Such plan shall be developed in accordance with 854 
policies and procedures of the Executive Office of the Governor 855 
established in s. 216.181. Each assistant public defender 856 
appointed by a public defender under this section shall serve at 857 
the pleasure of the public defender. Each investigator employed 858 
by a public defender shall have full authority to serve any 859 
witness subpoena or court order issued, by any court or judge 860 
within the judicial circuit served by such public defen der, in a 861 
criminal case in which such public defender has been appointed 862 
to represent the accused. 863 
 (4)  The five criminal conflict and civil regional counsels 864 
may employ and establish, in the numbers authorized by the 865 
General Appropriations Act, assistant regional counsels and 866 
other staff and personnel in each judicial district pursuant to 867 
s. 29.006, who shall be paid from funds appropriated for that 868 
purpose. Notwithstanding s. 790.01 ss. 790.01 and 790.02 , an 869 
investigator employed by an office of criminal conflict and 870 
civil regional counsel, while actually carrying out official 871 
duties, is authorized to carry a concealed weapon or concealed 872 
firearm if the investigator complies with s. 790.25(2)(o). 873 
However, such investigators are not eligible for membership in 874 
the Special Risk Class of the Florida Retirement System. The 875     
 
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five regional counsels shall jointly develop a coordinated 876 
classification and pay plan for submission to the Justice 877 
Administrative Commission, the President of the Senate, and the 878 
Speaker of the House of Representatives by January 1 of each 879 
year. The plan must be developed in accordance with policies and 880 
procedures of the Executive Office of the Governor established 881 
in s. 216.181. Each assistant regional counsel appointed by the 882 
regional counsel under this section shall serve at the pleasure 883 
of the regional counsel. Each investigator employed by the 884 
regional counsel shall have full authority to serve any witness 885 
subpoena or court order issued by any court or judge in a 886 
criminal case in which t he regional counsel has been appointed 887 
to represent the accused. 888 
 Section 15.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section 889 
943.051, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 890 
 943.051  Criminal justice information; collection and 891 
storage; fingerprinting. — 892 
 (3) 893 
 (b)  A minor who is charged with or found to have committed 894 
the following offenses shall be fingerprinted and the 895 
fingerprints shall be submitted electronically to the 896 
department, unless the minor is issued a civil citation pursuant 897 
to s. 985.12: 898 
 1.  Assault, as defined in s. 784.011. 899 
 2.  Battery, as defined in s. 784.03. 900     
 
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 3.  Carrying a concealed weapon, as defined in s. 901 
790.01(2). 902 
 4.  Unlawful use of destructive devices or bombs, as 903 
defined in s. 790.1615(1). 904 
 5.  Neglect of a child, as defined in s. 827.03(1)(e). 905 
 6.  Assault or battery on a law enforcement officer, a 906 
firefighter, or other specified officers, as defined in s. 907 
784.07(2)(a) and (b). 908 
 7.  Open carrying of a weapon, as defined in s. 790.053. 909 
 7.8. Exposure of sexual organs, as defined i n s. 800.03. 910 
 8.9. Unlawful possession of a firearm, as defined in s. 911 
790.22(5). 912 
 9.10. Petit theft, as defined in s. 812.014(3). 913 
 10.11. Cruelty to animals, as defined in s. 828.12(1). 914 
 11.12. Arson, as defined in s. 806.031(1). 915 
 12.13. Unlawful possession or discharge of a weapon or 916 
firearm at a school-sponsored event or on school property, as 917 
provided in s. 790.115. 918 
 Section 16.  Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of section 919 
943.0585, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 920 
 943.0585  Court-ordered expunction of criminal history 921 
records.— 922 
 (1)  ELIGIBILITY.—A person is eligible to petition a court 923 
to expunge a criminal history record if: 924 
 (d)  The person has never, as of the date the application 925     
 
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for a certificate of expunction is filed, b een adjudicated 926 
guilty in this state of a criminal offense or been adjudicated 927 
delinquent in this state for committing any felony or any of the 928 
following misdemeanors, unless the record of such adjudication 929 
of delinquency has been expunged pursuant to s. 9 43.0515: 930 
 1.  Assault, as defined in s. 784.011; 931 
 2.  Battery, as defined in s. 784.03; 932 
 3.  Assault on a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, or 933 
other specified officers, as defined in s. 784.07(2)(a); 934 
 4.  Carrying a concealed weapon, as defined in s. 935 
790.01(2); 936 
 5.  Open carrying of a weapon, as defined in s. 790.053; 937 
 5.6. Unlawful possession or discharge of a weapon or 938 
firearm at a school-sponsored event or on school property, as 939 
defined in s. 790.115; 940 
 6.7. Unlawful use of destructive devices or bombs, as 941 
defined in s. 790.1615(1); 942 
 7.8. Unlawful possession of a firearm, as defined in s. 943 
790.22(5); 944 
 8.9. Exposure of sexual organs, as defined in s. 800.03; 945 
 9.10. Arson, as defined in s. 806.031(1); 946 
 10.11. Petit theft, as defined in s. 812.014( 3); 947 
 11.12. Neglect of a child, as defined in s. 827.03(1)(e); 948 
or 949 
 12.13. Cruelty to animals, as defined in s. 828.12(1). 950     
 
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 Section 17.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 951 
943.059, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 952 
 943.059  Court-ordered sealing of criminal history 953 
records.— 954 
 (1)  ELIGIBILITY.—A person is eligible to petition a court 955 
to seal a criminal history record when: 956 
 (b)  The person has never, before the date the application 957 
for a certificate of eligibility is filed, been adjudicated 958 
guilty in this state of a criminal offense, or been adjudicated 959 
delinquent in this state for committing any felony or any of the 960 
following misdemeanor offenses, unless the record of such 961 
adjudication of delinquency has been expunged pursuant to s. 962 
943.0515: 963 
 1.  Assault, as defined in s. 784.011; 964 
 2.  Battery, as defined in s. 784.03; 965 
 3.  Assault on a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, or 966 
other specified officers, as defined in s. 784.07(2)(a); 967 
 4.  Carrying a concealed weapon, as defined in s. 968 
790.01(2); 969 
 5.  Open carrying of a weapon, as defined in s. 790.053; 970 
 5.6. Unlawful possession or discharge of a weapon or 971 
firearm at a school-sponsored event or on school property, as 972 
defined in s. 790.115; 973 
 6.7. Unlawful use of destructive devices or bombs, as 974 
defined in s. 790.1615(1); 975     
 
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 7.8. Unlawful possession of a firearm by a minor, as 976 
defined in s. 790.22(5); 977 
 8.9. Exposure of sexual organs, as defined in s. 800.03; 978 
 9.10. Arson, as defined in s. 806.031 (1); 979 
 10.11. Petit theft, as defined in s. 812.014(3); 980 
 11.12. Neglect of a child, as defined in s. 827.03(1)(e); 981 
or 982 
 12.13. Cruelty to animals, as defined in s. 828.12(1). 983 
 Section 18.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 984 
985.11, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 985 
 985.11  Fingerprinting and photographing. — 986 
 (1) 987 
 (b)  Unless the child is issued a civil citation or is 988 
participating in a similar diversion program pursuant to s. 989 
985.12, a child who is charged with or found to have committe d 990 
one of the following offenses shall be fingerprinted, and the 991 
fingerprints shall be submitted to the Department of Law 992 
Enforcement as provided in s. 943.051(3)(b): 993 
 1.  Assault, as defined in s. 784.011. 994 
 2.  Battery, as defined in s. 784.03. 995 
 3.  Carrying a concealed weapon, as defined in s. 996 
790.01(2). 997 
 4.  Unlawful use of destructive devices or bombs, as 998 
defined in s. 790.1615(1). 999 
 5.  Neglect of a child, as defined in s. 827.03(1)(e). 1000     
 
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 6.  Assault on a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, or 1001 
other specified officers, as defined in s. 784.07(2)(a). 1002 
 7.  Open carrying of a weapon, as defined in s. 790.053. 1003 
 7.8. Exposure of sexual organs, as defined in s. 800.03. 1004 
 8.9. Unlawful possession of a firearm, as defined in s. 1005 
790.22(5). 1006 
 9.10. Petit theft, as defined in s. 812.014. 1007 
 10.11. Cruelty to animals, as defined in s. 828.12(1). 1008 
 11.12. Arson, resulting in bodily harm to a firefighter, 1009 
as defined in s. 806.031(1). 1010 
 12.13. Unlawful possession or discharge of a weapon or 1011 
firearm at a school-sponsored event or on school property as 1012 
defined in s. 790.115. 1013 
 1014 
A law enforcement agency may fingerprint and photograph a child 1015 
taken into custody upon probable cause that such child has 1016 
committed any other violation of law, as the agency deems 1017 
appropriate. Such fingerprint records and photographs shall be 1018 
retained by the law enforcement agency in a separate file, and 1019 
these records and all copies thereof must be marked "Juvenile 1020 
Confidential." These records are not available for public 1021 
disclosure and inspection u nder s. 119.07(1) except as provided 1022 
in ss. 943.053 and 985.04(2), but shall be available to other 1023 
law enforcement agencies, criminal justice agencies, state 1024 
attorneys, the courts, the child, the parents or legal 1025     
 
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custodians of the child, their attorneys, a nd any other person 1026 
authorized by the court to have access to such records. In 1027 
addition, such records may be submitted to the Department of Law 1028 
Enforcement for inclusion in the state criminal history records 1029 
and used by criminal justice agencies for crimin al justice 1030 
purposes. These records may, in the discretion of the court, be 1031 
open to inspection by anyone upon a showing of cause. The 1032 
fingerprint and photograph records shall be produced in the 1033 
court whenever directed by the court. Any photograph taken 1034 
pursuant to this section may be shown by a law enforcement 1035 
officer to any victim or witness of a crime for the purpose of 1036 
identifying the person who committed such crime. 1037 
 Section 19.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a 1038 
law. 1039