HB 741 — Voting Rights Restoration

Summary

Voting Rights Restoration; Revises conditions under which voting disqualification for person's conviction of felony, other than murder or felony sexual offense, terminates; provides notice requirements; provides that full amount of fines or fees owed is waived if department does not provide timely notice; provides that such felons are eligible for voting rights restoration, provided all other requirements are met; authorizes person to request advisory opinion from Division of Elections to determine his or her eligibility to vote following felony conviction; provides that full amount of fines or fees owed is waived if division does not timely respond to request.

Bill Text

• Introduced H 741 Filed Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill revises conditions for the restoration of voting rights for felons in Florida by introducing new notification requirements and waiving financial obligations under certain circumstances.

• s. 98.0751

  the disqualification terminates if the person's outstanding fines or fees described in sub-subparagraph (2)(a)5.b. are waived due to the department's failure to provide a timely notification or advisory opinion under either paragraph (3)(a) or s. 106.23(2)(b), as applicable, so long as the person has otherwise completed all other terms of sentence. → Additionally, the disqualification terminates if the person's outstanding fines or fees described in sub-subparagraph (2)(a)5.b. are waived due to the department's failure to provide a timely notification or advisory opinion under either paragraph (3)(a) or s. 106.23(2)(b), as applicable, so long as the person has otherwise completed all other terms of sentence.

  Clarifies that the voting disqualification may terminate if fines or fees are waived when the department fails to notify timely.

• s. 98.0751

  the full amount of any outstanding fines or fees described under sub-subparagraph (2)(a)5.b. is deemed to be waived and the person is eligible to have his or her voting rights restored so long as he or she has completed all other terms of sentence and he or she meets any other requirements established under s. 4, Art. VI of the State Constitution and this code. → the full amount of any outstanding fines or fees described under sub-subparagraph (2)(a)5.b. is deemed to be waived and the person is eligible to have his or her voting rights restored so long as he or she has completed all other terms of sentence and he or she meets any other requirements established under s. 4, Art. VI of the State Constitution and this code.

  Ensures the waiver of fines or fees allows for restoration of voting rights under specified conditions.

• s. 106.23

  A person who has previously been convicted of a felony, other than murder or a felony sexual offense, and who is not subject to the procedure in s. 98.0751(3)(a) → A person who has previously been convicted of a felony, other than murder or a felony sexual offense, and who is not subject to the procedure in s. 98.0751(3)(a) may request an advisory opinion pursuant to paragraph (a) to determine whether he or she is eligible for voting rights restoration under the requirements of s. 4, Art. VI of the State Constitution and s. 98.0751.

  Allows individuals with felony convictions to request an advisory opinion about their voting rights restoration eligibility.

• s. 106.23

  The advisory opinion must identify the full amount of outstanding fines or fees described under s. 98.0751(2)(a)5.b. which the person owes as a part of his or her sentence. → The advisory opinion must identify the full amount of outstanding fines or fees described under s. 98.0751(2)(a)5.b. which the person owes as a part of his or her sentence. Additionally, the advisory opinion must contain information on how to pay the fines or fees, how to establish a payment plan, and how to convert the financial obligation to community service.

  Specifies that the advisory opinion must include detailed information on managing fines or fees associated with voting rights restoration.

• s. 106.23

  If the division does not respond to the request within 30 business days, the full amount of any outstanding fines or fees described under s. 98.0751(2)(a)5.b. is deemed to be waived and the person is eligible to have his or her voting rights restored so long as he or she has completed all other terms of sentence and meets any other requirements established under s. 4, Art. VI of the State Constitution and this code. → If the division does not respond to the request within 30 business days, the full amount of any outstanding fines or fees described under s. 98.0751(2)(a)5.b. is deemed to be waived and the person is eligible to have his or her voting rights restored so long as he or she has completed all other terms of sentence and meets any other requirements established under s. 4, Art. VI of the State Constitution and this code.

  Reiterates the waiver condition for failing to respond to an advisory opinion request within the stipulated time.

Action History

1. April 30, 2021

   Died in Criminal Justice & Public Safety Subcommittee

2. March 02, 2021

   1st Reading (Original Filed Version)

3. February 18, 2021

   Now in Criminal Justice & Public Safety Subcommittee

4. February 18, 2021

   Referred to Judiciary Committee

5. February 18, 2021

   Referred to Public Integrity & Elections Committee

6. February 18, 2021

   Referred to Criminal Justice & Public Safety Subcommittee

7. February 03, 2021

   Filed

Sponsors

• Kevin D. Chambliss · Primary

Subjects