SESSION WATCH
Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-143

No. CS/HB 1293

Fraudulent Entry of Residential Dwellings
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SPONSOR
Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Greco
FILED BY
Sam Greco — District 19, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
10/1/2026

Filed under Criminal Justice.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Fraudulent Entry of Residential Dwellings; Creates crime of fraudulent entry of residential dwelling unit; prohibits person from entering into & taking possession of residential dwelling unit under specified circumstances; provides criminal penalty; provides that fraudulent entry of residential dwelling unit is act of noncompliance for which landlord may terminate rental agreement.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Creates felony for fake ID rental entry and allows immediate lease termination.

A new felony makes it a crime to use fake IDs or impersonate others to rent a home. The offense carries a third-degree felony penalty.

Landlords can now end a lease immediately if a tenant used fraudulent entry. This applies even if no criminal case has been filed yet.

The law defines fraudulent entry as knowingly using false identity documents or impersonating another person to take possession of a dwelling unit.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 New Crime: Fraudulent Entry of Residential Dwelling Unit majors. 817.537(2)

AICreates a new third-degree felony for entering a rental unit using false identity, forged documents, or impersonation.

“A person may not enter into and take possession of a residential dwelling unit by knowingly and willfully:” bill text, line 22 →
§ 2 Criminal Penalty for Fraudulent Entry majors. 817.537(3)

AIViolations of the new fraudulent entry statute are punishable as a third-degree felony under existing sentencing laws.

“commits the offense of fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling unit, which is a felony of the third degree” bill text, line 35 →
§ 3 Landlord Termination Right for Fraudulent Entry majors. 83.56(2)(a)

AIAllows landlords to terminate a rental agreement immediately if a tenant commits fraudulent entry, without requiring a cure period.

“an act of fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling unit which violates s. 817.537(2), regardless of whether criminal proceedings have commenced” bill text, line 56 →
§ 4 Definitions for Residential Dwelling Terms moderates. 817.537(1)

AIAdopts existing landlord-tenant definitions for dwelling unit, landlord, and rental agreement to apply to the new criminal statute.

“the terms "dwelling unit," "landlord," and "rental agreement" have the same meanings as provided in s. 83.43” bill text, line 19 →
TIMELINE
6/12/2026
Chapter No. 2026-143
6/12/2026
Approved by Governor
6/9/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/6/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/6/2026
In Messages
3/6/2026
CS passed; YEAS 34 NAYS 0 -SJ 654
3/6/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 654
3/6/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 654
3/6/2026
Substituted for CS/CS/SB 1224 -SJ 654
3/6/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/6/2026
Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 654
2/18/2026
Received
2/12/2026
Referred to Rules
2/12/2026
In Messages
2/11/2026
CS passed; YEAS 110, NAYS 0
2/11/2026
Read 3rd time
2/11/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
2/11/2026
Read 2nd time
2/5/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/11/2026)
2/3/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/3/2026
Bill released to House Calendar
2/3/2026
Reported out of Judiciary Committee
2/3/2026
Favorable by Judiciary Committee
1/30/2026
Added to Judiciary Committee agenda
1/29/2026
Now in Judiciary Committee
1/29/2026
Referred to Judiciary Committee
1/28/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
1/28/2026
CS Filed
1/28/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
1/28/2026
Reported out of Criminal Justice Subcommittee
1/28/2026
Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice Subcommittee
1/26/2026
Added to Criminal Justice Subcommittee agenda
1/15/2026
Now in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
1/15/2026
Referred to Judiciary Committee
1/15/2026
Referred to Justice Budget Subcommittee
1/15/2026
Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/8/2026
Filed
32 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 817.537
+176 / −0
s. 83.56
+21 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES