Committee advances bill to elevate some repeat battery offenses to felony status
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Summary
CS for SB 436 was reported favorably after an amendment correcting drafting language; sponsors said the bill adds prior convictions (including resisting an officer with violence) to the list that can trigger reclassification of misdemeanor battery to third‑degree felony to address repeat violent offenders.
The committee reported CS for SB 436 favorably after Senator Leake explained the bill’s purpose and a technical amendment to correct drafting. Leake said the bill expands the list of qualifying prior offenses that permit reclassification of misdemeanor battery to a third‑degree felony, specifically adding resisting an officer with violence. The measure also amends statutes relating to felony battery that results in bodily injury and clarifies applicability when offenses are inflicted on law‑enforcement officers.
Danielle Shivers of the Volusia Sheriff’s Office and other supporters waived in favor. Senator Wright praised the measure as a public‑safety improvement. The amendment identified as 615332 corrected line 58 so the felony‑battery enhancement applies when the injury is inflicted on a law‑enforcement officer. The committee adopted the amendment and voted to report the bill favorably by roll call.
No fiscal or effective‑date details were discussed during this committee hearing.
