Committee roundup: votes on seven bills including peer support, licensure credits and military insignia changes

The Florida Senate Criminal Justice Committee recorded favorable reports on multiple bills during the session. Several items were brief, with sponsors explaining the measures and a list of waiver/support appearance cards entered into the record.

Votes at a glance:

- CS for SB 86 — Peer support for first responders: Reported favorably. The bill extends voluntary peer‑to‑peer support to support personnel involved in crime‑scene investigation and evidence processing. Roll call: unanimous favorable report.

- SB 472 — Education and licensure for licensed professionals: Reported favorably. The bill ensures inmates who complete qualifying classes receive credit toward licensure requirements. Roll call: unanimous favorable report.

- SB 402 — Unlawful use of uniforms, medals, insignia: Reported favorably. The bill revises statute references to the definition of ‘‘armed forces’’ and consolidates branch listings; sponsors waived close and the committee recorded a favorable report.

- Additional bills handled earlier or in short order included routine amendments and adopt‑as‑amended actions; appearance cards from representative organizations (Florida Police Chiefs Association, Alliance for Safety and Justice, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, Florida Smart Justice, and multiple sheriff's offices) were entered in support of the bills above.

Committee action: Each item listed above was recorded as reported favorably by roll call in committee and will move to the next legislative stop.

Notes: The committee adopted technical or clarifying amendments on some measures; transcripts show each bill’s sponsor explained the scope and staff noted barcode identifiers for amendments. Detailed vote records for these bills were read by the committee clerk and recorded on the committee’s roll call sheets.