CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 1 of 20 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 the misuse of emergency 2 communications systems; amending s. 365.172, F.S.; 3 providing enhanced criminal penalties for a specified 4 violation relating to the use of emergency 5 communications services which results in great bodily 6 harm, permanent disfigurement, permanent disability, 7 or death; requiring courts to order restitution for 8 certain damages and injuries; providing requirements 9 for such restitution; amending s. 921.0022, F.S.; 10 ranking offenses on the offense severity ranking chart 11 of the Criminal Punishment Code; providing an 12 effective date. 13 14 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 15 16 Section 1. Subsection (14) of se ction 365.172, Florida 17 Statutes, is amended to read: 18 365.172 Emergency communications. — 19 (14) MISUSE OF 911, E911, OR NG911 SYSTEM; PENALTY. —911, 20 E911, and NG911 service must be used solely for emergency 21 communications by the public. 22 (a) A any person who does any of the following commits a 23 misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 24 775.082 or s. 775.083: 25 CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 2 of 20 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 1. Accesses the number 911 for the purpose of making a 26 false alarm or complaint or reporting false information that 27 could result in the emergency response of any public safety 28 agency.; any person who 29 2. Knowingly uses or attempts to use such service for a 30 purpose other than obtaining public safety assistance .; or any 31 person who 32 3. Knowingly uses or attempts to use such service i n an 33 effort to avoid any charge for service , commits a misdemeanor of 34 the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 35 775.083. 36 (b) If a person violates subparagraph (a)1. and the 37 subsequent emergency response by a public safety agency result s 38 in: 39 1. Great bodily harm, permanent disfigurement, or 40 permanent disability to any person as a proximate result of 41 lawful conduct arising out of the emergency response, the person 42 commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in 43 s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 44 2. Death to any person as a proximate result of lawful 45 conduct arising out of the emergency response, the person 46 commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in 47 s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 48 (c) After being convicted of unauthorized use of emergency 49 communications services such service four times, a person who 50 CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 3 of 20 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 continues to engage in such unauthorized use commits a felony of 51 the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 52 775.083, or s. 775.084. 53 (d) A court shall order any person convicted of violating 54 this subsection to pay restitution to a responding public safety 55 agency and any other victim who suffers damage or injury as a 56 proximate result of lawful conduct arising out of an emergenc y 57 response. The restitution must include the full payment of any 58 cost incurred by a responding public safety agency In addition, 59 if the value of the service or the service charge obtained in a 60 manner prohibited by this subsection exceeds $100, the person 61 committing the offense commits a felony of the third degree, 62 punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084 . 63 Section 2. Paragraphs (b) and (e) of subsection (3) of 64 section 921.0022, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 65 921.0022 Criminal Punishment Code; offense severity 66 ranking chart.— 67 (3) OFFENSE SEVERITY RANKING CHART 68 (b) LEVEL 2 69 70 Florida Statute Felony Degree Description 71 365.172(14)(b)1. 3rd Misuse of emergency communications system causing CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 4 of 20 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 great bodily harm, permanent disfigurement, or permanent disability. 72 379.2431 (1)(e)3. 3rd Possession of 11 or fewer marine turtle eggs in violation of the Marine Turtle Protection Act. 73 379.2431 (1)(e)4. 3rd Possession of more than 11 marine turtle eggs in violation of the Marine Turtle Protection Act. 74 403.413(6)(c) 3rd Dumps waste litter exceeding 500 lbs. in weight or 100 cubic feet in volume or any quantity for commercial purposes, or hazardous waste. 75 517.07(2) 3rd Failure to furnish a prospectus meeting requirements. 76 590.28(1) 3rd Intentional burning of lands. 77 CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 5 of 20 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 784.03(3) 3rd Battery during a riot or an aggravated riot. 78 784.05(3) 3rd Storing or leaving a loaded firearm within reach of minor who uses it to inflict injury or death. 79 787.04(1) 3rd In violation of court order, take, entice, etc., minor beyond state limits. 80 806.13(1)(b)3. 3rd Criminal mischief; damage $1,000 or more to public communication or any other public service. 81 806.13(3) 3rd Criminal mischief; damage of $200 or more to a memorial or historic property. 82 810.061(2) 3rd Impairing or impeding telephone or power to a dwelling; facilitating or furthering burglary. CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 6 of 20 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 83 810.09(2)(d) 3rd Trespassing on posted commercial horticulture property. 84 812.014(2)(c)1. 3rd Grand theft, 3rd degree; $750 or more but less than $5,000. 85 812.014(2)(d)1. 3rd Grand theft, 3rd degree; $40 or more but less than $750, taken from dwelling or its unenclosed curtilage. 86 812.014(2)(e)2. 3rd Petit theft, 1st degree; less than $40 taken from dwelling or its unenclosed curtilage with one prior theft conviction. 87 812.015(7) 3rd Possession, use, or attempted use of an antishoplifting or inventory control device countermeasure. 88 817.234(1)(a)2. 3rd False statement in support of insurance claim. CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 7 of 20 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 89 817.481(3)(a) 3rd Obtain credit or purchase with false, expired, counterfeit, etc., credit card, value over $300. 90 817.52(3) 3rd Failure to redeliver hired vehicle. 91 817.54 3rd With intent to defraud, obtain mortgage note, etc., by false representation. 92 817.60(5) 3rd Dealing in credit cards of another. 93 817.60(6)(a) 3rd Forgery; purchase goods, services with false card. 94 817.61 3rd Fraudulent use of credit cards over $100 or more within 6 months. 95 826.04 3rd Knowingly marries or has sexual intercourse with person to whom CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 8 of 20 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 related. 96 831.01 3rd Forgery. 97 831.02 3rd Uttering forged instrument; utters or publishes alteration with intent to defraud. 98 831.07 3rd Forging bank bills, checks, drafts, or promissory notes. 99 831.08 3rd Possessing 10 or more forged notes, bills, checks, or drafts. 100 831.09 3rd Uttering forged notes, bills, checks, drafts, or promissory notes. 101 831.11 3rd Bringing into the state forged bank bills, checks, drafts, or notes. 102 832.05(3)(a) 3rd Cashing or depositing item with intent to defraud. CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 9 of 20 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 103 843.01(2) 3rd Resist police canine or police horse with violence; under certain circumstances. 104 843.08 3rd False personation. 105 843.19(3) 3rd Touch or strike police, fire, SAR canine or police horse. 106 893.13(2)(a)2. 3rd Purchase of any s. 893.03(1)(c), (2)(c)1., (2)(c)2., (2)(c)3., (2)(c)6., (2)(c)7., (2)(c)8., (2)(c)9., (2)(c)10., (3), or (4) drugs other than cannabis. 107 893.147(2) 3rd Manufacture or delivery of drug paraphernalia. 108 (e) LEVEL 5 109 110 Florida Statute Felony Degree Description 111 CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 10 of 20 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 316.027(2)(a) 3rd Accidents involving personal injuries other than serious bodily injury, failure to stop; leaving scene. 112 316.1935(4)(a) 2nd Aggravated fleeing or eluding. 113 316.80(2) 2nd Unlawful conveyance of fuel; obtaining fuel fraudulently. 114 322.34(6) 3rd Careless operation of motor vehicle with suspended license, resulting in death or serious bodily injury. 115 327.30(5) 3rd Vessel accidents involving personal injury; leaving scene. 116 365.172(14)(b)2. 2nd Misuse of emergency communications system resulting in death. 117 379.365(2)(c)1. 3rd Violation of rules relating to: willful molestation of stone crab traps, lines, or buoys; CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 11 of 20 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 illegal bartering, trading, or sale, conspiring or aiding in such barter, trade, or sale, or supplying, agreeing to supply, aiding in supplying, or giving away stone crab trap tags or certificates; making, altering, forging, counterfeiting, or reproducing stone crab trap tags; possession of forged, counterfeit, or imitation stone crab trap tags; and engaging in the commercial harvest of stone crabs while license is suspended or revoked. 118 379.367(4) 3rd Willful molestation of a commercial harvester's spiny lobster trap, line, or buoy. 119 379.407(5)(b)3. 3rd Possession of 100 or more undersized spiny lobsters. 120 381.0041(11)(b) 3rd Donate blood, plasma, or organs knowing HIV positive. CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 12 of 20 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 121 440.10(1)(g) 2nd Failure to obtain workers' compensation coverage. 122 440.105(5) 2nd Unlawful solicitation for the purpose of making workers' compensation claims. 123 440.381(2) 3rd Submission of false, misleading, or incomplete information with the purpose of avoiding or reducing workers' compensation premiums. 124 624.401(4)(b)2. 2nd Transacting insurance without a certificate or authority; premium collected $20,000 or more but less than $100,00 0. 125 626.902(1)(c) 2nd Representing an unauthorized insurer; repeat offender. 126 790.01(3) 3rd Unlawful carrying of a concealed firearm. 127 CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 13 of 20 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 790.162 2nd Threat to throw or discharge destructive device. 128 790.163(1) 2nd False report of bomb, explosive, weapon of mass destruction, or use of firearms in violent manner. 129 790.221(1) 2nd Possession of short-barreled shotgun or machine gun. 130 790.23 2nd Felons in possession of firearms, ammunition, or electronic weapons or devices. 131 796.05(1) 2nd Live on earnings of a prostitute; 1st offense. 132 800.04(6)(c) 3rd Lewd or lascivious conduct; offender less than 18 years of age. 133 800.04(7)(b) 2nd Lewd or lascivious exhibition; offender 18 years of age or older. CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 14 of 20 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 134 806.111(1) 3rd Possess, manufacture, or dispense fire bomb with intent to damage any structure or property. 135 810.145(4)(c) 3rd Commercial digital voyeurism dissemination. 136 810.145(7)(a) 2nd Digital voyeurism; 2nd or subsequent offense. 137 810.145(8)(a) 2nd Digital voyeurism; certain minor victims. 138 812.014(2)(d)3. 2nd Grand theft, 2nd degree; theft from 20 or more dwellings or their unenclosed curtilage, or any combination. 139 812.0145(2)(b) 2nd Theft from person 65 years of age or older; $10,000 or more but less than $50,000. 140 812.015 3rd Retail theft; property stolen CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 15 of 20 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)(a) & (c)- (e) is valued at $750 or more and one or more specified acts. 141 812.015(8)(f) 3rd Retail theft; multiple thefts within specified period. 142 812.015(8)(g) 3rd Retail theft; committed with specified number of o ther persons. 143 812.019(1) 2nd Stolen property; dealing in or trafficking in. 144 812.081(3) 2nd Trafficking in trade secrets. 145 812.131(2)(b) 3rd Robbery by sudden snatching. 146 812.16(2) 3rd Owning, operating, or conducting a chop shop. 147 817.034(4)(a)2. 2nd Communications fraud, value $20,000 to $50,000. 148 817.234(11)(b) 2nd Insurance fraud; property value $20,000 or more but less than CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 16 of 20 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 $100,000. 149 817.2341(1), (2)(a) & (3)(a) 3rd Filing false financial statements, making false entries of material fact or false statements regarding property values relating to the solvency of an insuring entity. 150 817.568(2)(b) 2nd Fraudulent use of personal identification information; value of benefit, services received, payment avoided, or amount of injury or fraud, $5,000 or more or use of personal identification information of 10 or more persons. 151 817.611(2)(a) 2nd Traffic in or possess 5 to 14 counterfeit credit cards or related documents. 152 817.625(2)(b) 2nd Second or subsequent fraudulent use of scanning device, CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 17 of 20 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 skimming device, or reencoder. 153 825.1025(4) 3rd Lewd or lascivious exhibition in the presence of an elderly person or disabled adult. 154 828.12(2) 3rd Tortures any animal with intent to inflict intense pain, serious physical injury, or death. 155 836.14(4) 2nd Person who willfully promotes for financial gain a sexually explicit image of an identifiable person without consent. 156 839.13(2)(b) 2nd Falsifying records of an individual in the care and custody of a state agency involving great bodily harm or death. 157 843.01(1) 3rd Resist officer with violence to person; resist arrest with CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 18 of 20 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 violence. 158 847.0135(5)(b) 2nd Lewd or lascivious exhibition using computer; offender 18 years or older. 159 847.0137 (2) & (3) 3rd Transmission of pornography by electronic device or equipment. 160 847.0138 (2) & (3) 3rd Transmission of material harmful to minors to a minor by electronic device or equipment. 161 874.05(1)(b) 2nd Encouraging or recruiting another to join a criminal gang; second or subsequent offense. 162 874.05(2)(a) 2nd Encouraging or recruiting person under 13 years of age to join a criminal gang. 163 893.13(1)(a)1. 2nd Sell, manufacture, or deliver cocaine (or other s. 893.03(1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(d), CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 19 of 20 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)(a), (2)(b), or (2)(c)5. drugs). 164 893.13(1)(c)2. 2nd Sell, manufacture, or deliver cannabis (or other s. 893.03(1)(c), (2)(c)1., (2)(c)2., (2)(c)3., (2)(c)6., (2)(c)7., (2)(c)8., (2)(c)9., (2)(c)10., (3), or (4) drugs) within 1,000 feet of a child care facility, school, or state, county, or municipal park or publicly owned recreational facility or community center. 165 893.13(1)(d)1. 1st Sell, manufacture, or deliver cocaine (or other s. 893.03(1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(d), (2)(a), (2)(b), or (2)(c)5. drugs) within 1,000 feet of university. 166 893.13(1)(e)2. 2nd Sell, manufacture, or deliver cannabis or other drug CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-01-c1 Page 20 of 20 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 prohibited under s. 893.03(1)(c), (2)(c)1., (2)(c)2., (2)(c)3., (2)(c)6., (2)(c)7., (2)(c)8., (2)(c)9., (2)(c)10., (3), or (4) within 1,000 feet of property used for religious services or a specified business site. 167 893.13(1)(f)1. 1st Sell, manufacture, or deliver cocaine (or other s. 893.03(1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(d), or (2)(a), (2)(b), or (2)(c)5. drugs) within 1,000 feet of public housing facility. 168 893.13(4)(b) 2nd Use or hire of minor; deliver to minor other controlled substance. 169 893.1351(1) 3rd Ownership, lease, or rental for trafficking in or manufacturing of controlled substance. 170 Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025. 171