SESSION WATCH
Superseded — its companion passed SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. CS/SB 1734

Juvenile Justice
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SPONSOR
Fiscal Policy; Martin
FILED BY
Jonathan Martin — District 33, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
Upon becoming a law
COMPANION
CS/CS/HB 1153 — CS/SB 1734 was set aside and its companion carried the policy

Filed under Criminal Justice.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Juvenile Justice; Authorizing the Governor to award a Medal of Heroism to juvenile detention and juvenile probation officers; authorizing certain entities to establish an award program to award a Medal of Valor to a juvenile detention officer or probation officer in certain circumstances; revising the definition of the term “officer” to include juvenile detention and juvenile probation officers; requiring the Department of Juvenile Justice to review county juvenile detention payments for a certain purpose, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Creates a new state penalty for counties that fail to pay their share of juvenile detention costs.

The bill creates a new enforcement mechanism for juvenile detention funding. If a county fails to pay its required share, the state will deduct the owed amount from the county's general state funding. This gives the state a direct tool to collect unpaid detention costs.

The bill expands the definition of "officer" to include juvenile detention and juvenile probation officers. This change allows these officers to receive the Medal of Heroism, the Medal of Valor, and commemorative service awards. It also extends specific death benefits to the families of these officers.

The bill changes the rules for placing a child in a shelter as a punishment for contempt of court. A child may only be placed in a shelter if they are subject to proceedings under the juvenile justice chapter. This replaces the previous requirement that the child be adjudicated as a child in need of services.

The bill clarifies that a person who is not an authorized agent of the Department of Juvenile Justice or the Department of Children and Families may not knowingly shelter an unmarried minor for more than 24 hours without parental consent or law enforcement notification.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 New Statewide Juvenile Detention Cost Audit and Penalty majors. 985.6865(3)

AICreates a mandatory quarterly audit of county payments and authorizes the state to deduct unpaid amounts from county revenue sharing.

“Each quarter, the department shall review county juvenile detention payments to ensure that counties fulfill their financial responsibilities required under this section.” bill text, line 474 →
§ 2 Expanded Eligibility for State and Local Officer Awards moderates. 14.33(1)

AIAdds juvenile detention and probation officers to the list of personnel eligible for the Governor's Medal of Heroism and local Medals of Valor.

“juvenile detention officer, or juvenile probation officer, as defined in s. 943.10(14)” bill text, line 82 →
§ 3 New Definitions for Juvenile Justice Personnel moderates. 943.10(23)

AIFormally defines juvenile detention and probation officers, including their certified supervisors, to clarify who qualifies for state benefits and awards.

“"Juvenile detention officer" means an officer who is responsible for the direct supervision of youth who are held in secure detention.” bill text, line 397 →
§ 4 Expanded Death Benefits for Juvenile Justice Officers moderates. 112.193

AIExtends the right to receive a commemorative uniform and service handgun upon death to juvenile detention and probation officers.

“juvenile detention, and juvenile probation officers' commemorative service awards” bill text, line 323 →
§ 5 Broadened Definition of 'Family in Need of Services' moderates. 984.03(15)

AIAdds legal guardians to the list of parents whose children can be referred to law enforcement for running away or ungovernable behavior.

“beyond the control of the parent, legal guardian, or custodian”
§ 6 Expanded Contempt Sanctions for Juveniles moderates. 984.09(2)

AIAllows shelter placement as a punishment for contempt for any child in juvenile proceedings, not just those already adjudicated as needing services.

“A child subject to proceedings under this chapter may only be placed in a shelter for purposes of punishment for contempt of court”
§ 7 Clarified Sheltering of Unmarried Minors moderates. 787.035(1)(a)

AISpecifies that the 24-hour sheltering limit applies to agents of the Department of Juvenile Justice, not just the Department of Children and Families.

“A person who is not an authorized agent of the Department of Juvenile Justice or the Department of Children and Families may not knowingly shelter an unmarried minor” bill text, line 380 →
TIMELINE
3/6/2026
Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 1153 (Ch....
3/6/2026
Substituted CS/CS/HB 1153 -SJ 675
3/6/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 675
3/3/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/06/26
2/18/2026
CS by Fiscal Policy read 1st time
2/16/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
2/13/2026
Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
2/12/2026
CS by- Fiscal Policy; YEAS 19 NAYS 0
2/9/2026
On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 02/12/26, 9:00 am, 110 Senate Building
2/4/2026
Now in Fiscal Policy
2/4/2026
Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil...
1/30/2026
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Criminal and...
1/27/2026
Now in Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
1/26/2026
Favorable by Criminal Justice; YEAS 7 NAYS 0
1/22/2026
Introduced
1/21/2026
On Committee agenda-- Criminal Justice, 01/26/26, 3:30 pm, 37...
1/16/2026
Referred to Criminal Justice; Appropriations Committee on Criminal...
1/9/2026
Filed
12 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 14.33
+7 / −1
s. 112.19
+6 / −0
s. 112.193
+30 / −5
s. 112.194
+21 / −3
s. 787.035
+3 / −0
s. 943.10
+123 / −1
STAFF ANALYSES
2 MORE →