Florida Senate - 2024 SB By Senator Rouson 16-00819A-24 20241760__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. A bill to be entitled

An act relating to nonviolent drug offenders converting fines and fees into community service; 3 creating s. 948.016, F.S.; defining the term 4 “nonviolent”; specifying eligibility for nonviolent drug offenders to convert fines and fees into community service hours; specifying the conversion rate; providing requirements for the completion of community service hours; requiring the clerk of the court to create a form; requiring court notification and the provision of documents and information to nonviolent drug offenders; providing applicability; 12 providing an effective date. 13

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 15

Section

Section 948.016, Florida Statutes, is created to read: 18 948.016 Nonviolent drug offender petition for converting fines and fees into community service hours; eligibility; 20 requirements.— 21

(1) DEFINITION.—As used in this section, the term 22 “nonviolent” means was not convicted of, or did not plead guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, any felony or the attempt to commit any felony listed in s. 775.084(1)(c)1. or s. 948.06(8)(c). 26

(2) ELIGIBILITY; CONVERSION RATE.—An individual who has successfully completed drug offender probation or a treatment program for one or more nonviolent drug offenses and is enrolled Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1760 16-00819A-24 20241760__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. in at least one continuing education course may submit to the clerk of the court, along with supporting documentation of such course or courses, a petition to convert any fines or fees resulting from a conviction for such nonviolent drug offense to community service hours.

Upon receipt of a completed petition, 34 the clerk of the court must grant it. The conversion is 1 community service hour for every $15 owed by the individual. 36

(3) REQUIREMENTS.—The community service hours must be completed within an addiction treatment facility or other similar facility that helps individuals who committed drug offenses. 40

(4) FORM.—The clerk of the court shall create a form, 41 publish it online, and provide it upon request in paper form for petitioners to complete. 43

(5) REQUIRED NOTIFICATION AND PROVISION OF DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION.—A court shall notify each nonviolent drug offender of the existence of the option for converting fines and fees into community service hours under this

section and shall require the clerk of the court to provide to each nonviolent drug offender a written or electronic copy of this

section and information and instructions on how to complete a petition. 50

(6) APPLICABILITY.—This

section does not apply to an individual who is convicted of, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, or the attempt of, 53 any of the following: 54

(

a) An offense that meets the definition of a sexual offender as defined in s. 943.0435. 56

(

b) Any offense that is not nonviolent. 57

Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024. 58