Florida Governor DeSantis Implements Stricter DUI Penalties

FLORIDA, USA — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed 12 bills into law Thursday. Here’s what they are:

This legislation, often referred to as “Trenton’s Law,” aims to impose more severe penalties on individuals who repeatedly commit vehicular homicide or DUI manslaughter in Florida. It is named after a Creekside High graduate from St. Johns County who tragically lost his life to a wrong-way driver in 2023. The law reclassifies these offenses from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony, effectively doubling the potential maximum sentence to 30 years.

The bill also provides that correctional probation officers may carry concealed firearms during their off-duty hours, subject to approval by their superiors. Additionally, it permits these officers to engage in specific law enforcement actions under certain conditions. However, the appointing or employing agency of the correctional probation officer retains the authority to restrict these officers from carrying concealed firearms while off duty. The legislation also updates the exemptions related to the mandatory waiting period for purchasing and delivering firearms.

This bill addresses the issue of utility relocation by establishing a $50 million grant program. This initiative assists utility companies in managing the costs associated with relocating their equipment when state or local infrastructure projects require it.

It requires the Department of Revenue to transfer a portion of the Communications Services Tax revenue each month to the Department of Commerce. It creates a new program within the DOC to help cover the costs associated with relocating utilities and allows service providers to apply for reimbursement if they have to move their infrastructure due to roadwork or other government projects. More information can be found here. 

This bill requires FDLE, in cooperation with specified agencies, to establish and implement “Spectrum Alert,” by developing a training program and alert system for missing children with autism spectrum disorder which is compatible with existing alert systems. It also specifies requirements for the training program. $190,000 will be appropriated for the bill.

This bill requires the Division of State Fire Marshal with DFS to adopt certain rules, requires the division to assist in decreasing the  frequency of fatalities, and requires the division to adopt rules “relating to education on chemical hazards or toxic substances and mental health best practices.”

The legislation updates how tax collectors carry out DHSMV tasks, changes some rules around issuing vehicle and driver credentials, and adjusts the rules for taking away a person’s right to drive.

This law provides criminal penalties for people who knowingly and willfully threaten specified court personnel, knowingly and willfully harass specified court personnel, as well as for other actions tampering with court officials.

This bill revises provisions related to administrator management, authorizes individuals under contract with home health agency to provide specified services and revises Excellence in Home Health Program criteria requirements.

This law expands actions subject to the “Florida Vexatious Litigant Law,” which concerns the act of repeatedly abusing the judicial process for personal gain, like lawsuits believed to be frivolous or malicious. It revises sanctions and remedies for vexatious litigation and prohibits clerks of court from accepting certain filings from “vexatious litigants.”

This law provides space and seating requirements for special alcoholic beverage licenses to event centers, providing exceptions to the general law and explains boundaries where this law will apply.

This law primarily revises the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Career Services Employees’ Act. It clarifies the Sheriff’s powers in personnel decisions and makes other changes regarding the sheriff’s office, including guidelines for the transition to a new sheriff.

This law limits how much Leon County must pay non-contracted medical and emergency transport providers for treating or transporting inmates at the county detention center.