HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 1 of 22 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 combatting illegal immigration; 2 amending s. 768.28, F.S.; providing that specified 3 persons and entities are immune from liability for 4 damages arising from certain causes of action; 5 requiring the state to indemnify certain elected or 6 appointed persons; specifying that persons entitled to 7 indemnification are entitled to representation by the 8 Attorney General; providing applicability; creating s. 9 775.101, F.S.; creating a civil cause of action for 10 victims of any crime committed by aliens und er certain 11 circumstances against any person who knowingly and 12 willfully aided or assisted the alien in entering this 13 state; providing for venue; authorizing the recovery 14 of specified damages, attorney fees, and costs; 15 providing affirmative defenses; provid ing a statute of 16 limitations; providing a directive to the Division of 17 Law Revision; creating s. 811.101, F.S.; defining the 18 terms "alien" and "removal"; creating s. 811.102, 19 F.S.; providing criminal penalties for adult aliens 20 who knowingly enter or attemp t to enter this state 21 after entering the United States by eluding or 22 avoiding examination or inspection by immigration 23 officers; authorizing the waiver of the term of 24 imprisonment if the alien agrees to a certain written 25 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 2 of 22 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 agreement; providing enhanced crimi nal penalties for 26 second or subsequent convictions; prohibiting the 27 arrest of aliens under specified circumstances; 28 providing affirmative defenses; requiring the 29 detention of an alien arrested for such a violation 30 pending disposition of the case; specifyin g that such 31 aliens are not eligible for any civil citation or 32 other prearrest or postarrest diversion program; 33 requiring the arresting law enforcement agency to 34 notify certain entities; requiring the law enforcement 35 agency with custody of the alien to be r esponsible for 36 coordinating with the alien to arrange transportation 37 to the alien's country of destination and for ensuring 38 that the alien leaves the United States under certain 39 circumstances; authorizing the Department of Law 40 Enforcement to adopt rules; c reating s. 811.103, F.S.; 41 providing criminal penalties for an adult alien who, 42 after having been denied admission, excluded, 43 deported, or removed or having departed the United 44 States while an order of exclusion, deportation, or 45 removal is outstanding, ther eafter enters, attempts to 46 enter, or is at any time found in this state; 47 providing an exception; providing enhanced criminal 48 penalties for an alien whose arrest for such 49 violations was after the commission of specified 50 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 3 of 22 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 offenses; requiring concurrent senten ces; requiring 51 the detention of an alien arrested for such a 52 violation pending disposition of the case; specifying 53 that such aliens are not eligible for any civil 54 citation or other prearrest or postarrest diversion 55 program; requiring the arresting law enfo rcement 56 agency to notify certain entities; requiring the law 57 enforcement agency with custody of the alien to be 58 responsible for coordinating with the alien to arrange 59 transportation to the alien's country of destination 60 and for ensuring that the alien leav es the United 61 States under certain circumstances; authorizing the 62 Department of Law Enforcement to adopt rules; creating 63 s. 811.104, F.S.; providing criminal penalties for 64 persons who knowingly and willfully assist certain 65 aliens who illegally entered or r eentered the United 66 States; providing affirmative defenses; amending s. 67 948.012, F.S.; authorizing a defendant who is an alien 68 to have any term of the defendant's probationary 69 sentence converted to administrative probation by the 70 Department of Corrections under specified 71 circumstances; requiring the department to be 72 responsible for coordinating with the defendant to 73 arrange transportation under certain circumstances; 74 authorizing public funds to be used to procure 75 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 4 of 22 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 transportation; requiring the court to verif y certain 76 information in a hearing before the defendant's 77 departure from the United States; authorizing the 78 court to issue certain orders; authorizing the 79 department to adopt rules; providing for severability; 80 providing an effective date. 81 82 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 83 84 Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of section 85 768.28, Florida Statutes, is amended, and subsection (21) is 86 added to that section, to read: 87 768.28 Waiver of sovereign immunity in tort actions; 88 recovery limits; civil liability for damages caused during a 89 riot; limitation on attorney fees; statute of limitations; 90 exclusions; indemnification; risk management programs. — 91 (5)(a) Except as expressly provided in this section, the 92 state and its agencies a nd subdivisions shall be liable for tort 93 claims in the same manner and to the same extent as a private 94 individual under like circumstances, but liability may shall not 95 include punitive damages or interest for the period before 96 judgment. Neither the state n or its agencies or subdivisions 97 shall be liable to pay a claim or a judgment by any one person 98 which exceeds the sum of $200,000 or any claim or judgment, or 99 portions thereof, which, when totaled with all other claims or 100 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 5 of 22 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 judgments paid by the state or its agencies or subdivisions 101 arising out of the same incident or occurrence, exceeds the sum 102 of $300,000. However, a judgment or judgments may be claimed and 103 rendered in excess of these amounts and may be settled and paid 104 pursuant to this act up to $200,000 or $300,000, as the case may 105 be; and that portion of the judgment that exceeds these amounts 106 may be reported to the Legislature, but may be paid in part or 107 in whole only by further act of the Legislature. Notwithstanding 108 the limited waiver of sovereign immun ity provided herein, the 109 state or an agency or subdivision thereof may agree, within the 110 limits of insurance coverage provided, to settle a claim made or 111 a judgment rendered against it without further action by the 112 Legislature, but the state or agency or s ubdivision thereof may 113 shall not be deemed to have waived any defense of sovereign 114 immunity or to have increased the limits of its liability as a 115 result of its obtaining insurance coverage for tortious acts in 116 excess of the $200,000 or $300,000 waiver prov ided above. The 117 limitations of liability set forth in this subsection shall 118 apply to the state and its agencies and subdivisions whether or 119 not the state or its agencies or subdivisions possessed 120 sovereign immunity before July 1, 1974. 121 (21)(a) Except as provided by paragraph (d), the state, 122 its agencies and subdivisions, and their constitutional 123 officers, officials, employees, and contractors are immune from 124 liability for damages arising from a cause of action under state 125 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 6 of 22 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 law resulting from an action take n by any official, employee, or 126 contractor to enforce s. 811.102, s. 811.103, s. 811.104, s. 127 908.104, s. 908.11, or s. 908.13 during the course and scope of 128 the respective constitutional officer's, official's, employee's, 129 or contractor's office, employment , or contractual performance 130 for or service on behalf of the state, its agencies, or its 131 subdivisions. 132 (b) Except as provided by paragraph (d), the state shall 133 indemnify a constitutional officer, an elected or appointed 134 state official, or a state employe e or contractor for damages 135 arising from a cause of action under federal law resulting from 136 an action taken by the official, employee, or contractor to 137 enforce s. 811.102, s. 811.103, s. 811.104, s. 908.104, s. 138 908.11, or s. 908.13 during the course and sc ope of the 139 respective constitutional officer's, official's, employee's, or 140 contractor's office, employment, or contractual performance for 141 or service on behalf of the state, its agencies, or its 142 subdivisions. 143 (c) Notwithstanding any other law, an indemni fication 144 payment made under paragraph (b) is not subject to an 145 indemnification limit under the laws of the state. 146 (d) Paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply if the court or 147 jury determines that the constitutional officer, state official, 148 employee, or contractor acted in bad faith, with conscious 149 indifference, or with recklessness. 150 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 7 of 22 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 (e) The state shall indemnify a constitutional officer or 151 a state or local official, employee, or contractor for 152 reasonable attorney fees incurred in defense of a criminal 153 prosecution against the constitutional officer, official, 154 employee, or contractor for an action taken by the officer, 155 official, employee, or contractor to enforce s. 811.102, s. 156 811.103, s. 811.104, s. 908.104, s. 908.11, or s. 908.13 during 157 the course and scope of the constitutional officer's, 158 official's, employee's, or contractor's office, employment, or 159 contractual performance for or service on behalf of the state, 160 its agencies, or its subdivisions. 161 (f) A constitutional officer, state official, employee, or 162 contractor entitled to indemnification under paragraph (b) is 163 entitled to representation by the Attorney General in an action 164 in connection with which the officer, official, employee, or 165 contractor may be entitled to such indemnification. 166 Section 2. Section 775.101, Florida Statutes, is created 167 to read: 168 775.101 Civil actions for victims of crimes committed by 169 aliens.— 170 (1) A victim of any crime committed by an alien who 171 illegally entered or reentered the United States and then 172 entered this state has a civil cause of action against any 173 person who knowingly and willfully aided or assisted such alien 174 in entering this state. Such victim may recover damages as 175 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 8 of 22 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 provided in this section. 176 (a) The action may be brought in any circuit court of 177 competent jurisdiction in this state. 178 (b) A victim who prevails in any such action may recover 179 economic and noneconomic damages; punitive damages, as provided 180 in ss. 768.72, 768.725, and 768.73; reasonable attorney fees; 181 and costs. 182 1. Economic damages include, but are not limited to, past 183 and future medical and mental health expenses and all other 184 reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the victim or 185 estimated to be incurred by the victim in the future as a result 186 of the victim's injuries. 187 2. Noneconomic damages are nonfinancial losses that would 188 not have occurred but for the victimization, and include pain 189 and suffering, inconvenience, physical impairment, mental 190 anguish, disfigurement, loss of capacity for enjoyment of life, 191 and other nonfinancial losses. 192 (c) The civil remedies provided for in this section do not 193 preempt any other remedy or cause of action provided by law. 194 (d) The court has specific authority to consolidate civil 195 actions for the same defendant for the purpose of case 196 resolution and aggregate jurisdiction. 197 (2) It is an affirmative defense to a claim brought under 198 this section if: 199 (a) The person is a federal, state, or local government 200 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 9 of 22 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 employee working within the course and scope of his or her 201 employment and the aid or assistance provided t o an alien is 202 limited to the aid or assistance authorized by the governmental 203 entity for which the person works; or 204 (b) The person is an agent or works for an entity under 205 contract with a federal, state, or local government to provide 206 services to persons, including aliens, and the aid or assistance 207 provided to an alien is limited to the aid or assistance 208 authorized by the government explicitly in that contract, 209 memorandum of understanding, appendix, or other written document 210 or direction. 211 (3) The statute of limitations as specified in s. 95.11(7) 212 or (9), as applicable, governs an action brought under this 213 section. 214 Section 3. The Division of Law Revision is directed to 215 create chapter 811, to be entitled "ALIENS, NATIONALITY, AND 216 IMMIGRATION," consisti ng of ss. 811.101, 811.102, 811.103, and 217 811.104, Florida Statutes. 218 Section 4. Section 811.101, Florida Statutes, is created 219 to read: 220 811.101 Definitions. —As used in this chapter, the term: 221 (1) "Alien" has the same meaning as in 8 U.S.C. s. 1101, 222 as that provision existed on January 1, 2023. 223 (2) "Removal" means the departure from the United States 224 of an alien after any proceeding under 8 U.S.C. ss. 1225, 1228, 225 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 10 of 22 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 1229, or 1229a or any agreement in which an alien stipulates to 226 departure from the Unite d States as part of a criminal 227 proceeding under either federal or state law. 228 Section 5. Section 811.102, Florida Statutes, is created 229 to read: 230 811.102 Illegal entry by adult alien into this state. — 231 (1)(a) An alien who is more than 18 years of age a nd who 232 knowingly enters or attempts to enter this state after entering 233 the United States by eluding or avoiding examination or 234 inspection by immigration officers commits a misdemeanor of the 235 first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 236 775.083. Such person must be sentenced to a minimum term of 237 imprisonment of 9 months. 238 (b) The term of imprisonment may be waived at any time 239 before or after conviction if the alien agrees in writing to 240 return voluntarily to the alien's country of origin or other wise 241 leave the United States and the alien leaves the United States. 242 (2) An alien commits a felony of the third degree, 243 punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084 244 if he or she: 245 (a) Is older than 18 years of age; 246 (b) Knowingly enters or attempts to enter this state after 247 entering the United States by eluding or avoiding examination or 248 inspection by immigration officer; and 249 (c) Has one conviction for violating this section. 250 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 11 of 22 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 251 Such person must be sentenced to a minimum term of im prisonment 252 of 1 year and 1 day. Any term of probation imposed in addition 253 to the term of imprisonment may be converted by the trial court 254 into administrative probation if the alien agrees at the time of 255 sentencing to return voluntarily to the alien's count ry of 256 origin or otherwise leave the United States and the alien leaves 257 the United States. 258 (3) An alien commits a felony of the third degree, 259 punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084 260 if he or she: 261 (a) Is older than 18 years of age ; 262 (b) Knowingly enters or attempts to enter this state after 263 entering the United States by eluding or avoiding examination or 264 inspection by immigration officers; and 265 (c) Has two or more convictions for violating this 266 section. 267 268 Such person must be sentenced to a minimum term of imprisonment 269 of 2 years. Any term of probation imposed in addition to the 270 term of imprisonment may be converted by the trial court into 271 administrative probation if the alien agrees at the time of 272 sentencing to return voluntar ily to the alien's country of 273 origin or otherwise leave the United States and the alien leaves 274 the United States. 275 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 12 of 22 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 (4) An alien may not be subject to arrest for a violation 276 of this section if the alien was encountered by law enforcement 277 in this state during the investigation of another crime that 278 occurred in this state and the alien witnessed or reported that 279 crime or was a victim of that crime. 280 (5) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this 281 section if: 282 (a) The Federal Government has grante d the alien lawful 283 presence in the United States or discretionary relief that 284 allows the alien to remain in the United States temporarily or 285 permanently; 286 (b) The alien is subject to relief under the Cuban 287 Adjustment Act of 1966; or 288 (c) The alien's entr y into the United States did not 289 constitute a violation of 8 U.S.C. s. 1325(a). 290 (6) Notwithstanding any other law, and unless release is 291 otherwise required by the State Constitution or the United 292 States Constitution, an alien arrested for a violation of this 293 section must be detained pending disposition of the case because 294 no conditions of release can reasonably assure the presence of 295 the alien at trial. 296 (7) An alien charged with violating this section is not 297 eligible for any civil citation or other prea rrest or postarrest 298 diversion program, including, but not limited to, a program 299 pursuant to s. 901.41, s. 921.00241, or other similar program. 300 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 13 of 22 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 (8) At the time of arrest for a violation of this section, 301 the law enforcement agency making the arrest shall n otify: 302 (a) Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the United 303 States Department of Homeland Security and provide that agency 304 information relating to the alien; and 305 (b) The Department of Law Enforcement and provide that 306 agency information relating to the alien, which must include 307 fingerprints, photographs, and any other biometric information 308 necessary to identify the alien in the future, and the costs 309 associated with the arrest, detention, supervision, and 310 transportation of the alien for a violation of th is section. 311 (9) If an alien agrees to return voluntarily to the 312 alien's country of origin or otherwise leave the United States 313 in accordance with this section, the law enforcement agency with 314 custody of the alien shall be responsible, consistent with sta te 315 and federal law, for coordinating with the alien to arrange 316 transportation to the alien's country of destination and for 317 ensuring that the alien leaves the United States. Public funds 318 may be used to procure transportation as necessary. If the alien 319 fails to depart the United States for any reason, any term of 320 imprisonment or probation for which the alien has been sentenced 321 and which has not been served must be reinstated. Before the 322 alien's departure from the United States, the court exercising 323 jurisdiction in the case shall verify in a hearing that the 324 alien consents to depart the United States, that such consent is 325 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 14 of 22 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 knowing and voluntary, and that failure to depart for any reason 326 will result in reinstatement of any term of imprisonment or 327 probation for which the alien has been sentenced and which has 328 not been served. The court may issue any orders, consistent with 329 state and federal law, necessary to effectuate the alien's 330 voluntary departure from the United States. 331 (10) The Department of Law Enforcement may adopt rules to 332 implement this section. 333 Section 6. Section 811.103, Florida Statutes, is created 334 to read: 335 811.103 Illegal reentry of an adult alien. — 336 (1) An alien commits a felony of the third degree, 337 punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 77 5.083, or s. 775.084 338 if he or she: 339 (a) Is 18 years of age or older; 340 (b) After having been denied admission, excluded, 341 deported, or removed or having departed the United States while 342 an order of exclusion, deportation, or removal is outstanding; 343 and 344 (c) Thereafter enters, attempts to enter, or is at any 345 time found in this state, unless before the alien's 346 reembarkation at a place outside the United States or his or her 347 application for admission from a foreign contiguous territory: 348 1. The Attorney Gene ral of the United States expressly 349 consented to such alien's reapplying for admission; or 350 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 15 of 22 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 2. With respect to an alien previously denied admission 351 and removed, unless such alien establishes that the alien was 352 not required to obtain such advance consent un der the 353 Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. 354 355 Such alien must be sentenced to a minimum term of imprisonment 356 of 1 year and 1 day. Any term of probation imposed in addition 357 to the terms of imprisonment may be converted by the trial court 358 into administrative probation if the alien agrees at the time of 359 sentencing to return voluntarily to the alien's country of 360 origin or otherwise leave the United States and the alien leaves 361 the United States. 362 (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), in the case of any 363 alien described in subsection (1): 364 (a) Whose arrest under subsection (1) was subsequent to a 365 conviction for the commission of three or more misdemeanors or a 366 felony other than an aggravated felony as defined by federal law 367 or a violent felony under state l aw commits a felony of the 368 third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, 369 or s. 775.084. Such person must be sentenced to a minimum term 370 of imprisonment of 2 years. Any term of probation imposed in 371 addition to the term of imprisonment may be converted by the 372 trial court into administrative probation if the alien agrees at 373 the time of sentencing to return voluntarily to the alien's 374 country of origin or otherwise leave the United States and the 375 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 16 of 22 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 alien leaves the United States. 376 (b) Whose arrest under subsection (1) was subsequent to a 377 conviction for the commission of an aggravated felony as defined 378 by federal law or a violent felony under state law commits a 379 felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 380 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 7 75.084. Such person must be 381 sentenced to a minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years. Any term 382 of probation imposed in addition to the term of imprisonment may 383 be converted by the trial court into administrative probation if 384 the alien agrees at the time of s entencing to return voluntarily 385 to the alien's country of origin or otherwise leave the United 386 States and the alien leaves the United States. 387 (3) Any sentence imposed under this section must run 388 concurrently with the sentence imposed for any other crimin al 389 conviction. 390 (4) Notwithstanding any other law, and unless release is 391 otherwise required by the State Constitution or the United 392 States Constitution, an alien arrested for a violation of this 393 section must be detained pending disposition of the case bec ause 394 no conditions of release can reasonably assure the presence of 395 the alien at trial. 396 (5) An alien charged with violating this section is not 397 eligible for any civil citation or other prearrest or postarrest 398 diversion program, including, but not limited to, a program 399 pursuant to s. 901.41, s. 921.00241, or other similar program. 400 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 17 of 22 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 (6) At the time of arrest, the law enforcement agency 401 making the arrest must notify: 402 (a) Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the United 403 States Department of Homeland Security and provide that agency 404 information relating to the alien; and 405 (b) The Department of Law Enforcement and provide that 406 agency information relating to the alien, which must include 407 fingerprints, photographs, and any other biometric information 408 necessary to identify the alien in the future, and the costs 409 associated with the arrest, detention, supervision, and 410 transportation of the alien for a violation of this section. 411 (7) If an alien agrees to return voluntarily to the 412 alien's country of origin o r otherwise leave the United States 413 in accordance with this section, the law enforcement agency with 414 custody of the alien shall be responsible, consistent with state 415 and federal law, for coordinating with the alien to arrange 416 transportation to the alien's country of destination and for 417 ensuring that the alien leaves the United States. Public funds 418 may be used to procure transportation as necessary. If the alien 419 fails to depart the United States for any reason, any term of 420 imprisonment or probation for which the alien has been sentenced 421 and which has not been served must be reinstated. Before the 422 alien's departure from the United States, the court exercising 423 jurisdiction in the case shall verify in a hearing that the 424 alien consents to depart the United States , that such consent is 425 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 18 of 22 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 knowing and voluntary, and that failure to depart for any reason 426 will result in reinstatement of any term of imprisonment or 427 probation for which the alien has been sentenced and which has 428 not been served. The court may issue any orde rs, consistent with 429 state and federal law, necessary to effectuate the alien's 430 voluntary departure from the United States. 431 (8) The Department of Law Enforcement may adopt rules to 432 implement this section. 433 Section 7. Section 811.104, Florida Statutes, is created 434 to read: 435 811.104 Illegal aid or support to an alien. — 436 (1) A person who knowingly and willfully aids or assists 437 any alien who illegally entered or reentered the United States 438 and then entered this state in violation of s. 811.102 or s. 439 811.103, or who connives or conspires with any person or persons 440 to allow, procure, or allow any such alien to enter this state 441 after illegally entering or reentering the United States in 442 violation of s. 811.102 or s. 811.103 commits a felony of the 443 third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, 444 or s. 775.084. 445 (2) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this 446 section if: 447 (a) The person is a federal, state, or local government 448 employee working within the course and scope of his or her 449 employment and the aid or assistance provided to an alien is 450 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 19 of 22 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 limited to the aid or assistance authorized by the governmental 451 entity for which the person works; or 452 (b) The person is an agent or works for an entity under 453 contract with a federal, sta te, or local government office or 454 agency to provide services to persons, including aliens, and the 455 aid or assistance provided to an alien is limited to the aid or 456 assistance authorized by the government explicitly in that 457 contract, memorandum of understand ing, appendix, or other 458 written document or direction. 459 Section 8. Present subsection (6) of section 948.012, 460 Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (7), a new 461 subsection (6) is added to that section, and subsection (1) of 462 that section is amend ed, to read: 463 948.012 Split sentence of probation or community control 464 and imprisonment.— 465 (1) If punishment by imprisonment for a misdemeanor or a 466 felony, except for a capital felony, is prescribed, the court 467 may, at the time of sentencing, impose a spl it sentence whereby 468 the defendant is to be placed on probation or, with respect to 469 any such felony, into community control upon completion of any 470 specified period of such sentence which may include a term of 471 years or less. In such case, the court shall sta y and withhold 472 the imposition of the remainder of sentence imposed upon the 473 defendant and direct that the defendant be placed upon probation 474 or into community control after serving such period as may be 475 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 20 of 22 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 imposed by the court. Except as provided in s. 944.47 31(2)(b) 476 and subsection (7) (6), the period of probation or community 477 control shall commence immediately upon the release of the 478 defendant from incarceration, whether by parole or gain -time 479 allowances. 480 (6)(a) Effective for offenses committed on or after March 481 31, 2025, a defendant who is an alien as defined in s. 811.101 482 may have any term of the defendant's probationary sentence 483 converted to administrative probation by the Department of 484 Corrections if: 485 1. The United States Department of Homeland Securit y 486 detains the defendant upon the termination of his or her 487 sentence of imprisonment and deports the defendant; or 488 2. The defendant agrees to return voluntarily to the 489 defendant's country of origin or otherwise leave the United 490 States and not return to th is state unless and until the term of 491 his or her probation expires and he or she is lawfully admitted 492 to the United States. 493 (b) If the defendant agrees to return voluntarily to the 494 defendant's country of origin or otherwise leave the United 495 States in accordance with this section, the Department of 496 Corrections shall be responsible, consistent with state and 497 federal law, for coordinating with the defendant to arrange 498 transportation to the defendant's country of destination and for 499 ensuring that the defendan t leaves the United States. Public 500 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 21 of 22 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 funds may be used to procure transportation, as necessary. 501 Before the defendant's departure from the United States, the 502 court exercising jurisdiction in the case shall verify in a 503 hearing that the defendant consents to de part the United States, 504 that such consent is knowing and voluntary, and that failure to 505 depart for any reason will result in imprisonment for any 506 remaining term of imprisonment to the maximum term of 507 imprisonment that could have been imposed for the offens e of 508 conviction. The court may issue any orders, consistent with 509 state and federal law, necessary to effectuate the defendant's 510 voluntary departure from the United States. If a defendant 511 returns to the United States after being deported, or after 512 returning voluntarily to his or her country of destination under 513 this section during the term of his or her probation, without 514 being lawfully admitted to the United States, the defendant must 515 be sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment for any 516 remaining term of imprisonment that could have been imposed for 517 the offense of conviction. Any term of imprisonment for any 518 subsequently committed criminal offense must run consecutively 519 to the term of imprisonment required by this subsection. 520 (c) The Department of Corr ections may adopt rules to 521 implement this section. 522 Section 9. If any provision of this act or its application 523 to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity 524 does not affect other provisions or applications of this act 525 HB 17A 2025A CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb17a-00 Page 22 of 22 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 which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or 526 application, and to this end the provisions of this act are 527 severable. 528 Section 10. This act shall take effect upon becoming a 529 law. 530