Florida Senate - 2025 SB 474 By Senator Truenow 13-00647-25 2025474__ Page 1 of 1 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. A bill to be entitled 1

An act relating to modified sentences for veterans; 2 creating s. 775.37, F.S.; defining the term “modified 3 sentence”; authorizing a court to impose a modified 4 sentence for veterans under specified circumstances; 5 providing applicability; providing an effective date. 6 7 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 8 9

Section

Section 775.37, Florida Statutes, is created to 10 read: 11 775.37 Modified sentences for veterans.— 12

(1) As used in this section, the term “modified sentence” 13 means a sentence less than the otherwise required minimum 14 sentence and may include a waiver of restrictions on the 15 defendant’s eligibility for gain-time or release. 16

(2) Notwithstanding any other law, if a defendant has been 17 convicted of an offense that requires the imposition of a 18 specified term of imprisonment or minimum term of imprisonment, 19 the court may instead impose a modified sentence if the court 20 finds all of the following on the record: 21 (

a) The defendant is a veteran with a mental health 22 condition that is related to that person’s military service. 23 (

b) The otherwise required sentence is not necessary for 24 the protection of the public. 25

(3) This

section does not apply to a person convicted of an 26 offense enumerated in s. 943.0435(1)(h)1.a.(I). 27

Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025. 28