SESSION WATCH
Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-156

No. CS/HB 429

Criteria for Determining Criminal Gang Membership
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SPONSOR
Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Baker; Chamberlin
FILED BY
Jessica Baker — District 17, Republican [search donations]
Ryan Chamberlin — District 24, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
10/1/2026

Filed under Criminal Justice.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Criteria for Determining Criminal Gang Membership; Revises definition of term "criminal gang member"; defines "gang-related language."

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Broadens legal definition of criminal gang membership.

The bill adds new criteria for identifying a person as a criminal gang member, including online admissions and the use of specific gang-related language.

It lowers the threshold for physical association, requiring only two observed instances instead of four, and explicitly includes willful association in custodial settings.

A new definition of "gang-related language" is added, covering verbal, written, and digital statements that signal affiliation or support gang activity.

These changes expand the scope of who can be legally classified as a gang member under Florida law.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Expanded Definition of Criminal Gang Member majors. 874.03(3)

AIBroadens the legal definition of a criminal gang member by adding new criteria and changing the verb from 'is' to 'means'.

“"Criminal gang member" means a person who meets two or more of the following criteria”
§ 2 Relaxed Association Requirement majors. 874.03(3)(k)

AIReduces the number of times a person must be observed with known gang members from four to two to satisfy a membership criterion.

“Has been observed in the company of one or more known criminal gang members two or more times.” bill text, line 41 →
§ 3 New Definition of Gang-Related Language majors. 874.03(6)

AICreates a new statutory definition for 'gang-related language' that includes digital and social media statements.

“"Gang-related language" means any verbal or written statement that signals gang affiliation, supports gang activity, or uses recognized gang codes” bill text, line 57 →
TIMELINE
6/17/2026
Chapter No. 2026-156
6/16/2026
Approved by Governor
6/9/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/10/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/10/2026
In Messages
3/10/2026
CS passed; YEAS 29 NAYS 9 -SJ 742
3/10/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 742
3/10/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 742
3/10/2026
Substituted for CS/CS/SB 536 -SJ 742
3/10/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/10/2026
Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 742
2/10/2026
Received
2/9/2026
Referred to Rules
2/4/2026
In Messages
2/4/2026
CS passed; YEAS 100, NAYS 7
2/4/2026
Read 3rd time
2/4/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
2/4/2026
Read 2nd time
1/29/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/4/2026)
1/22/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
1/22/2026
Bill released to House Calendar
1/22/2026
Reported out of Judiciary Committee
1/22/2026
Favorable by Judiciary Committee
1/20/2026
Added to Judiciary Committee agenda
1/16/2026
Now in Judiciary Committee
1/16/2026
Referred to Judiciary Committee
1/15/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
1/14/2026
CS Filed
1/14/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
1/14/2026
Reported out of Criminal Justice Subcommittee
1/14/2026
Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice Subcommittee
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/12/2026
Added to Criminal Justice Subcommittee agenda
11/24/2025
Now in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
11/24/2025
Referred to Judiciary Committee
11/24/2025
Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee
11/14/2025
Filed
31 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 874.03
+125 / −9
s. 874.03
+0 / −0
s. 874.03
+0 / −0
s. 874.03
+0 / −0
s. 823.05
+0 / −0
s. 874.03
+0 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES