CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 false reporting; amending s. 2 365.172, F.S.; providing enhanced criminal penalties 3 for a specified violation relating to the use of 4 emergency communications services which results in 5 great bodily harm, permanent disfigurement, permanent 6 disability, or death; revising requirements for a 7 specified violation relating to continued misuse of 8 emergency communications services; defining the term 9 "conviction"; providing that a conviction includes a 10 determination of guilt regardless of whether 11 adjudication is withheld or a plea of nolo contendere 12 is entered; requiring courts to order a person 13 convicted of a violation to pay the costs of 14 prosecution and investigation and restitution for 15 certain damages and injuries; providing requirements 16 for such restitution; amending s. 837.05, F.S.; 17 requiring courts to order a person convicted of a 18 violation to pay the costs of prosecution and 19 investigation and restituti on for certain damages and 20 injuries; providing requirements for such restitution; 21 amending s. 921.0022, F.S.; ranking offenses on the 22 offense severity ranking chart of the Criminal 23 Punishment Code; providing an effective date. 24 25 CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 Be It Enacted by the Leg islature of the State of Florida: 26 27 Section 1. Subsection (14) of section 365.172, Florida 28 Statutes, is amended to read: 29 365.172 Emergency communications. — 30 (14) MISUSE OF 911, E911, OR NG911 SYSTEM; PENALTY. —911, 31 E911, and NG911 service must be used solely for emergency 32 communications by the public. 33 (a) A any person who does any of the following commits a 34 misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 35 775.082 or s. 775.083: 36 1. Accesses or causes another party to access the number 37 911 for the purpose of making a false alarm or complaint or 38 reporting false information that could result in the emergency 39 response of any public safety agency .; any person who 40 2. Knowingly uses or attempts to use such service for a 41 purpose other than obt aining public safety assistance .; or any 42 person who 43 3. Knowingly uses or attempts to use such service in an 44 effort to avoid any charge for service , commits a misdemeanor of 45 the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 46 775.083. 47 (b) If a person violates subparagraph (a)1. and the 48 subsequent emergency response by a public safety agency results 49 in: 50 CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 1. Great bodily harm, permanent disfigurement, or 51 permanent disability to any person as a proximate result of 52 lawful conduct arising out of the emergency response, the person 53 commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in 54 s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 55 2. Death to any person as a proximate result of lawful 56 conduct arising out of the emergency response, the person 57 commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in 58 s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 59 (c) After having two or more convictions being convicted 60 of unauthorized use of emergency communications services such 61 service four times, a person who continues to engage in such 62 unauthorized use commits a felony of the third degree, 63 punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 64 As used in this paragraph, the term "conviction" means a 65 determination of guilt that is the result of a plea agr eement or 66 a trial, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld or a 67 plea of nolo contendere is entered. 68 (d) A court shall order any person convicted of violating 69 this subsection to pay: 70 1. The costs of prosecution and investigation under s. 71 938.27. 72 2. Restitution to a responding public safety agency and 73 any other victim who suffers damage or injury as a proximate 74 result of lawful conduct arising out of an emergency response. 75 CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 The restitution must include the full payment of any cost 76 incurred by a responding public safety agency In addition, if 77 the value of the service or the service charge obtained in a 78 manner prohibited by this subsection exceeds $100, the person 79 committing the offense commits a felony of the third degree, 80 punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084 . 81 Section 2. Subsection (3) is added to section 837.05, 82 Florida Statutes, to read: 83 837.05 False reports to law enforcement authorities. — 84 (3) A court shall order any person convicted of violating 85 this section to pay: 86 (a) The costs of prosecution and investigation under s. 87 938.27. 88 (b) Restitution to any victim who suffers damage or injury 89 as a proximate result of lawful conduct arising out of a law 90 enforcement response. 91 Section 3. Paragraphs (b) and (e) of subsection (3) of 92 section 921.0022, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 93 921.0022 Criminal Punishment Code; offense severity 94 ranking chart.— 95 (3) OFFENSE SEVERITY RANKING CHART 96 (b) LEVEL 2 97 98 Florida Statute Felony Degree Description CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 99 365.172(14)(b)1. 3rd Misuse of emergency communications system causing great bodily harm, permanent disfigurement, or permanent disability. 100 379.2431 (1)(e)3. 3rd Possession of 11 or fewer marine turtle eggs in violation of the Marine Turtle Protection Act. 101 379.2431 (1)(e)4. 3rd Possession of more than 11 marine turtle eggs in violation of the Marine Turtle Protection Act. 102 403.413(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. 103 517.07(2) 3rd Failure to furnish a prospectus meeting requirements. CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 104 590.28(1) 3rd Intentional burning of lands. 105 784.03(3) 3rd Battery during a riot or an aggravated riot. 106 784.05(3) 3rd Storing or leaving a loaded firearm within reach of minor who uses it to inflict injury or death. 107 787.04(1) 3rd In violation of court order, take, entice, etc., minor beyond state limits. 108 806.13(1)(b)3. 3rd Criminal mischief; damage $1,000 or more to public communication or any other public service. 109 806.13(3) 3rd Criminal mischief; damage of $200 or more to a memorial or historic property. 110 810.061(2) 3rd Impairing or impeding telephone CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 or power to a dwelling; facilitating or furthering burglary. 111 810.09(2)(d) 3rd Trespassing on posted commercial horticulture property. 112 812.014(2)(c)1. 3rd Grand theft, 3rd degree; $750 or more but less than $5,000. 113 812.014(2)(d)1. 3rd Grand theft, 3rd degree; $40 or more but less than $750, taken from dwelling or its unenclosed curtilage. 114 812.014(2)(e)2. 3rd Petit theft, 1st degree; less than $40 taken from dwelling or its unenclosed curtilage with one prior theft conviction. 115 812.015(7) 3rd Possession, use, or attempted use of an antishoplifting or inventory control device countermeasure. CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 116 817.234(1)(a)2. 3rd False statement in support of insurance claim. 117 817.481(3)(a) 3rd Obtain credit or purchase with false, expired, counterfeit, etc., credit card, value over $300. 118 817.52(3) 3rd Failure to redeliver hired vehicle. 119 817.54 3rd With intent to defraud, obtain mortgage note, etc., by false representation. 120 817.60(5) 3rd Dealing in credit cards of another. 121 817.60(6)(a) 3rd Forgery; purchase goods, services with false card. 122 817.61 3rd Fraudulent use of credit cards over $100 or more within 6 months. CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 123 826.04 3rd Knowingly marries or has sexual intercourse with person to whom related. 124 831.01 3rd Forgery. 125 831.02 3rd Uttering forged instrument; utters or publishes alteration with intent to defraud. 126 831.07 3rd Forging bank bills, checks, drafts, or promissory notes. 127 831.08 3rd Possessing 10 or more forged notes, bills, checks, or drafts. 128 831.09 3rd Uttering forged notes, bills, checks, drafts, or promissory notes. 129 831.11 3rd Bringing into the state forged bank bills, checks, drafts, or notes. CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 130 832.05(3)(a) 3rd Cashing or depositing item with intent to defraud. 131 843.01(2) 3rd Resist police canine or police horse with violence; under certain circumstances. 132 843.08 3rd False personation. 133 843.19(3) 3rd Touch or strike police, fire, SAR canine or police horse. 134 893.13(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. 135 893.147(2) 3rd Manufacture or delivery of drug paraphernalia. 136 (e) LEVEL 5 137 138 CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 Florida Statute Felony Degree Description 139 316.027(2)(a) 3rd Accidents involving personal injuries other than serious bodily injury, failure to stop; leaving scene. 140 316.1935(4)(a) 2nd Aggravated fleeing or eluding. 141 316.80(2) 2nd Unlawful conveyance of fuel; obtaining fuel fraudulently. 142 322.34(6) 3rd Careless operation of motor vehicle with suspended license, resulting in death or serious bodily injury. 143 327.30(5) 3rd Vessel accidents involving personal injury; leaving scene. 144 365.172(14)(b)2. 2nd Misuse of emergency communications system resulting in death. 145 CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 379.365(2)(c)1. 3rd Violation of rules relating to: willful molestation of stone crab traps, lines, or buoys; 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. 146 379.367(4) 3rd Willful molestation of a commercial harvester's spiny lobster trap, line, or buoy. 147 379.407(5)(b)3. 3rd Possession of 100 or more undersized spiny lobsters. CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 148 381.0041(11)(b) 3rd Donate blood, plasma, or organs knowing HIV positive. 149 440.10(1)(g) 2nd Failure to obtain workers' compensation coverage. 150 440.105(5) 2nd Unlawful solicitation for the purpose of making workers' compensation claims. 151 440.381(2) 3rd Submission of false, misleading, or incomplete information with the purpose of avoiding or reducing workers' compensation premiums. 152 624.401(4)(b)2. 2nd Transacting insurance without a certificate or authority; premium collected $20,000 or more but less than $100,000. 153 626.902(1)(c) 2nd Representing an unauthorized insurer; repeat offender. 154 CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 790.01(3) 3rd Unlawful carrying of a concealed firearm. 155 790.162 2nd Threat to throw or discharge destructive device. 156 790.163(1) 2nd False report of bomb, explosive, weapon of mass destruction, or use of firearms in violent manner. 157 790.221(1) 2nd Possession of short-barreled shotgun or machine gun. 158 790.23 2nd Felons in possession of firearms, ammunition, or electronic weapons or devices. 159 796.05(1) 2nd Live on earnings of a prostitute; 1st offense. 160 800.04(6)(c) 3rd Lewd or lascivious conduct; offender less than 18 years of age. 161 CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 800.04(7)(b) 2nd Lewd or lascivious exhibition; offender 18 years of age or older. 162 806.111(1) 3rd Possess, manufacture, or dispense fire bomb with intent to damage any structure or property. 163 810.145(4)(c) 3rd Commercial digital voyeurism dissemination. 164 810.145(7)(a) 2nd Digital voyeurism; 2nd or subsequent offense. 165 810.145(8)(a) 2nd Digital voyeurism; certain minor victims. 166 812.014(2)(d)3. 2nd Grand theft, 2nd degree; theft from 20 or more dwellings or their unenclosed curtilage, or any combination. 167 812.0145(2)(b) 2nd Theft from person 65 years of age or older; $10,000 or more CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 but less than $50,000. 168 812.015 (8)(a) & (c)- (e) 3rd Retail theft; property stolen is valued at $750 or more and one or more specified acts. 169 812.015(8)(f) 3rd Retail theft; multiple thefts within specified period. 170 812.015(8)(g) 3rd Retail theft; committed with specified number of other persons. 171 812.019(1) 2nd Stolen property; dealing in or trafficking in. 172 812.081(3) 2nd Trafficking in trade secrets. 173 812.131(2)(b) 3rd Robbery by sudden snatching. 174 812.16(2) 3rd Owning, operating, or conducting a chop shop. 175 817.034(4)(a)2. 2nd Communications fraud, value $20,000 to $50,000. CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 176 817.234(11)(b) 2nd Insurance fraud; property value $20,000 or more but less than $100,000. 177 817.2341(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. 178 817.568(2)(b) 2nd Fraudulent use of personal identification infor mation; 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. 179 817.611(2)(a) 2nd Traffic in or possess 5 to 14 counterfeit credit cards or related documents. CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 180 817.625(2)(b) 2nd Second or subsequent fraudulent use of scanning device, skimming device, or reencoder. 181 825.1025(4) 3rd Lewd or lascivious exhibition in the presence of an elderly person or disabled adult. 182 828.12(2) 3rd Tortures any animal with intent to inflict intense pain, serious physical injury, or death. 183 836.14(4) 2nd Person who willfully promotes for financial gain a sexually explicit image of an identifiable person without consent. 184 839.13(2)(b) 2nd Falsifying records o f an individual in the care and custody of a state agency involving great bodily harm or death. CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 185 843.01(1) 3rd Resist officer with violence to person; resist arrest with violence. 186 847.0135(5)(b) 2nd Lewd or lascivious exhibition using computer; offender 18 years or older. 187 847.0137 (2) & (3) 3rd Transmission of pornography by electronic device or equipment. 188 847.0138 (2) & (3) 3rd Transmission of material harmful to minors to a minor by electronic device or equipment. 189 874.05(1)(b) 2nd Encouraging or recruiting another to join a criminal gang; second or subsequent offense. 190 874.05(2)(a) 2nd Encouraging or recruiting person under 13 years of age to join a criminal gang. 191 CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 893.13(1)(a)1. 2nd 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). 192 893.13(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. 193 893.13(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. CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 194 893.13(1)(e)2. 2nd Sell, manufacture, or deliver cannabis or other drug 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. 195 893.13(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. 196 893.13(4)(b) 2nd Use or hire of minor; deliver to minor other controlled substance. 197 893.1351(1) 3rd Ownership, lease, or rental for trafficking in or manufacturing CS/CS/HB 279 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb279-02-c2 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 of controlled substance. 198 Section 4. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025. 199