MIAMI, FLORIDA — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced a legislative proposal that would maintain and further improve Florida’s 50-year record low crime rate. The proposal pushes back against the abolishment of cash bail, increases penalties for drug-related crimes, steps up human smuggling interdictions, strengthens the punishment for child rapists, prevents the early release of sex criminals and makes it more feasible to deliver ultimate justice to those facing the death penalty.
“Other states endanger their citizens by making it easier to put criminals back on the street. Here in Florida, we will continue to support and enact policies to protect our communities and keep Floridians safe,” said DeSantis. “Florida will remain the law and order state.”
Attorney General Ashley Moody said that while some states are adopting soft-on-crime policies that increase lawlessness and decrease public safety, Florida will strive to strengthen our laws, keep violent criminals behind bars and take proactive steps to keep our communities safe.
“I want to thank Governor DeSantis for always standing up for the rule of law and taking action to fortify public safety measures to ensure we continue to be the best state in the nation to pursue the American dream,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody.
This legislation will bolster Florida’s blueprint for fighting crime by:
- Reforming Florida’s death penalty statute to ensure that those convicted of the most heinous crimes are punished accordingly.
- Addressing the ongoing fentanyl crisis, including making it a first-degree felony to possess, sell, or manufacture fentanyl and other controlled substances that resemble candy. A mandatory life sentence and a $1 million penalty would be imposed for trafficking substances that target children.
- Strengthening Florida’s bail laws by limiting who is eligible for release prior to first appearance, making sure that a judge is the ultimate decision maker.
- Petitioning the Florida Supreme Court to establish a uniform bond schedule that all state courts must follow.
- Requiring convicted child rapists to serve at least life in prison and exploring options to make them eligible for the death penalty.
- Toughening penalties for certain sex criminals by requiring them to serve their full sentences, making them ineligible for early release based on good behavior.
- Requiring law enforcement to report missing persons to the National Missing and Unidentified Person’s System.
- Dedicating $5 million in the upcoming budget recommendations to continue the successful interdictions by the strike force announced last year.
The legislation adds to Governor DeSantis’ previous pro-public safety initiatives, including hallmark anti-rioting legislation, the strongest law enforcement recruitment and support initiative in the nation, and a crackdown on opioid dealers and drug traffickers.
“Governor Ron DeSantis knows the importance of keeping families safe and because of that, his commitment to law enforcement is unprecedented,” said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass. "We are thankful to live in Florida. So many of our law enforcement colleagues across the country just don’t have the support of leaders like Governor DeSantis.”
