PROVIDED SUMMARY
Fraudulent Entry of Residential Dwellings; Providing that fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling unit is an act of noncompliance for which a landlord may terminate a rental agreement; creating the crime of fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling unit; prohibiting a person from entering into and taking possession of a residential dwelling unit under specified circumstances, etc.
Full bill text →
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATED
Creates a third-degree felony for fraudulent entry into a residential dwelling unit.
Landlords may now terminate a rental agreement immediately if a tenant commits fraudulent entry, without giving the tenant an opportunity to cure the violation.
The bill creates a new third-degree felony for entering a residential dwelling unit using false identity information, forged documents, or impersonation.
The criminal offense applies regardless of whether the tenant has already been terminated from the lease or whether criminal proceedings have commenced.
The new crime is punishable under existing felony sentencing statutes, with penalties determined by the offender's prior criminal record.
KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1
Landlord Termination Right for Fraudulent Entry
majors. 83.56(2)(a)
AIAllows landlords to immediately terminate a lease without a cure period if a tenant commits fraudulent entry under the new statute.
“an act of fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling unit which violates s. 817.537, regardless of whether criminal proceedings have commenced”
bill text, line 33 →
AISpecifies that violating the new fraudulent entry statute is a third-degree felony, subject to standard felony sentencing.
“commits the offense of fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling unit, which is a felony of the third degree”
bill text, line 66 →
AIAligns the definitions of dwelling unit, landlord, and rental agreement in the new criminal statute with existing landlord-tenant law.
“the terms "dwelling unit," "landlord," and "rental agreement" have the same meanings as provided in s. 83.43”
bill text, line 50 →
TIMELINE
3/6/2026
Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 1293 (Ch....
3/6/2026
Substituted CS/HB 1293 -SJ 654
3/6/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 654
3/3/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/06/26
2/25/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
2/24/2026
Favorable by- Rules; YEAS 22 NAYS 0
2/19/2026
On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/24/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
2/18/2026
CS/CS by Criminal Justice read 1st time
2/12/2026
Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
2/11/2026
CS/CS by Criminal Justice; YEAS 8 NAYS 0
2/6/2026
On Committee agenda-- Criminal Justice, 02/11/26, 3:00 pm, 37...
1/29/2026
CS by Judiciary read 1st time
1/28/2026
Now in Criminal Justice
1/28/2026
Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
1/27/2026
CS by Judiciary; YEAS 10 NAYS 0
1/22/2026
On Committee agenda-- Judiciary, 01/27/26, 1:00 pm, 110 Senate Building
1/12/2026
Referred to Judiciary; Criminal Justice; Rules
14 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
STAFF ANALYSES
2 MORE →