SESSION WATCH
Became law SENATE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-149

No. CS/CS/SB 436

Felony Battery
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SPONSOR
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice; Criminal Justice; Leek
FILED BY
Thomas J. Leek — District 7, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026

Filed under Criminal Justice.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Felony Battery; Revising the definition of “prison releasee reoffender” to include a defendant who commits or attempts to commit battery on a law enforcement officer which results in bodily injury; providing enhanced criminal penalties for persons who commit a second or subsequent battery after having a prior conviction for resisting an officer with violence, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Raises felony battery penalties for repeat offenders and expands prison releasee reoffender.

The bill makes a second or subsequent battery a third-degree felony if the offender has a prior conviction for battery, aggravated battery, felony battery, or resisting an officer with violence. This expands the list of prior offenses that trigger enhanced penalties for repeat battery offenders.

It adds battery on a law enforcement officer resulting in bodily injury to the list of offenses that make a defendant a prison releasee reoffender. This triggers mandatory minimum sentences and other enhanced penalties for those who commit this specific offense within three years of release from prison.

The bill clarifies that a "conviction" for these purposes includes cases where adjudication is withheld or a nolo contendere plea is entered. This ensures that prior guilty pleas, even without formal adjudication, count toward the enhanced penalty scheme for repeat battery offenders.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Prison Releasee Reoffender Definition Expanded majors. 775.082(9)(a)(r)

AIAdds battery on a law enforcement officer resulting in bodily injury to the list of offenses that trigger enhanced penalties for repeat offenders.

“Battery on a law enforcement officer which results in bodily injury” bill text, line 5 →
§ 2 Felony Battery for Repeat Offenders majors. 784.03(2)

AIElevates a second or subsequent battery to a third-degree felony if the defendant has a prior conviction for battery, aggravated battery, felony battery, or resisting an officer with violence.

“resisting an officer with violence under s. 843.01” bill text, line 103 →
§ 3 Definition of Conviction Clarified moderates. 784.03(2)

AISpecifies that a conviction includes a determination of guilt from a plea or trial, even if adjudication is withheld or a nolo contendere plea is entered.

“regardless of whether adjudication is withheld or a plea of nolo contendere is entered” bill text, line 109 →
TIMELINE
6/17/2026
Chapter No. 2026-149
6/16/2026
Approved by Governor
6/9/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/17/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/10/2026
CS passed; YEAS 110, NAYS 1
3/10/2026
Read 3rd time
3/10/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
3/10/2026
Read 2nd time
3/9/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)
3/9/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/10/2026)
3/9/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
2/26/2026
In Messages
2/26/2026
Immediately certified -SJ 463
2/26/2026
CS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 454
2/26/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 454
2/26/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 454
2/25/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/26/26
2/25/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
2/24/2026
Favorable by- Rules; YEAS 23 NAYS 0
2/19/2026
CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice...
2/19/2026
On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/24/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
2/19/2026
Now in Rules
2/19/2026
Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
2/18/2026
CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice;...
2/13/2026
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Criminal and...
1/14/2026
Now in Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
1/13/2026
CS by Criminal Justice read 1st time
1/13/2026
Introduced
1/13/2026
Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
1/12/2026
CS by Criminal Justice; YEAS 8 NAYS 0
1/5/2026
On Committee agenda-- Criminal Justice, 01/12/26, 1:30 pm, 37...
12/1/2025
Referred to Criminal Justice; Appropriations Committee on Criminal...
11/7/2025
Filed
27 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 775.082
+14 / −2
s. 784.03
+12 / −1
s. 775.082
+0 / −0
s. 775.082
+0 / −0
s. 775.082
+0 / −0
s. 775.082
+0 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES
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