HB 1211 — Public Safety

hb1211-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 1211 2025 but is not limited to, any of the following organizations:

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hb1211-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 1211 2025 4.

Section 111.11, Florida Statutes, is created to read:

111.11 Employment of first responders;

discrimination prohibited.— (1) As used in this section, the term "first responder" has the same meaning as in s.

112.1815(1).

(2) An employing agency of first responders may not discriminate in hiring, promotion, or any other employment decision or practice on any basis prohibited in s.

760.10, including following any diversity, equity, or inclusion policy or practice, whether formal or informal, that results in such Page 4 of 25 CODING:

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hb1211-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 1211 2025 discrimination.

(3)(a) In addition to any other remedy provided by law, a victim of discrimination prohibited by this section may bring a civil action.

(b) In any civil action brought under this section, discrimination prohibited by this section may be inferred solely from the disparate impact of employment decisions or practices on the members of a group.

(c) In any civil action brought under this subsection, the court may issue an order prohibiting the discriminatory policy or practice and providing affirmative relief from the effects of the discriminatory policy or practice, including back pay.

The court may also award compensatory damages, including, but not limited to, damages for mental anguish, loss of dignity, and any other intangible injuries, and punitive damages.

In any civil action brought under this subsection, the court shall award a prevailing plaintiff reasonable attorney fees and costs.

(d) If an employing agency of first responders is found to have violated subsection (2) in regards to promotion, the individual seeking relief shall be awarded back pay from the date he or she would been paid the higher salary had he or she been promoted.

If such an individual cannot be promoted to the position he or she was denied, the court shall order that he or she be paid as if he or she had been promoted to such position while remaining in his or her current position and order that Page 5 of 25 CODING:

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hb1211-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 1211 2025 the individual be promoted to such position at the next available opportunity.

Section 5.

Subsection (2) of section 365.171, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraphs (e) and (f) are added to subsection (4) of that section, to read:

365.171 Emergency communications state plan.— (2) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—It is the intent of the Legislature that the communications number "911" be the designated emergency communications number.

A public safety agency may not advertise or otherwise promote the use of any communications number for emergency response services other than "911." It is further the intent of the Legislature to implement and continually update a cohesive statewide emergency communications plan for enhanced 911 services which will provide citizens with rapid direct access to public safety agencies by accessing "911" with the objective of reducing the response time to situations requiring law enforcement, fire, medical, rescue, and other emergency services.

It is further the intent of the Legislature to prohibit the transfer of calls between 911 call centers and to maximize the efficiency of the statewide emergency communications plan for citizens dialing "911" for emergency services.

(4) STATE PLAN.—The office shall develop, maintain, and implement appropriate modifications for a statewide emergency communications plan.

The plan shall provide for:

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hb1211-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 1211 2025 (e)1.

A unified 911 system.

By July 1, 2029, every county- level first responder agency must be provided 911, emergency call, and dispatch services from a unified 911 call center.

A municipality may not opt out of this consolidation.

All existing 911 operations within a county shall be integrated under the sheriff to create a unified 911 call center and all county-level first responder agencies and jurisdictions must participate in the unified 911 call center in their service area.

2.a.

A sheriff may opt out of the consolidation requirement in subparagraph 1., in which case the county shall establish a regional 911 call center as provided in subparagraph 4.

A sheriff may later choose to opt in to the requirement in subparagraph 1.

without limitation.

b.

If a sheriff later chooses to opt in to the requirement in subparagraph 1., he or she must declare his or her willingness to do so by written declaration to every jurisdiction in the county that participates in the unified 911 call center and the county's supervisor of elections no later than 6 months before the next regular election.

Once the declaration is made, the supervisor of elections shall place the issue on the ballot at the next regular election.

The voters shall determine by referendum whether to have the unified 911 call center operated by the sheriff.

3.a.

Each unified 911 call center shall:

(I) Establish a single computer-aided dispatching Page 7 of 25 CODING:

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hb1211-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 1211 2025 software, regardless of the agency being dispatched.

(II) Establish the minimum standard requirements for radio communications within the county to which all agencies must adhere.

(III) Establish, maintain, and operate all systems and properties necessary for radio and telephone operations, such as a computer-aided dispatch system, telephony, hardware, and information technology.

(IV) Require Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking requirements of each unit within the system to allow computer- aided dispatch and implement closest-unit dispatching requirements.

(V) Establish an executive board in each county.

The executive board shall consist of three members appointed by the entities they represent as follows:

an individual representing the county government, an individual representing police departments, and an individual representing fire rescue services.

Each member shall serve a term of 3 years.

The executive board shall meet monthly.

If there are multiple jurisdictions within the unified 911 call center, each jurisdiction shall pick the representative to serve the 3-year term and then rotate to the next jurisdiction.

The rotational order shall begin with the largest jurisdiction by population, then the next largest jurisdiction by population, Page 8 of 25 CODING:

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hb1211-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 1211 2025 and then the smallest jurisdiction by population and continue ad infinitum.

(A) A representative of the sheriff's office shall attend each meeting of the executive board and serve as a liaison between the board and the sheriff's office.

(B) The executive board may create a nonvoting advisory board that consists of as many members as needed, but only one member from each jurisdiction shall be represented on the nonvoting advisory board.

(C) If the center is operated by the sheriff, the executive board shall advise and guide the sheriff on the operation and budget of the center.

The executive board must vote to approve the sheriff's budget proposal for the center if the proposal is submitted to the county for consideration.

(D) If the center is operated by the sheriff, the executive board may overrule a decision by the sheriff concerning any operation of the center by unanimous vote of all voting members after giving the sheriff 30 days written notice about the matter that specifies the nature of the issue, their written intent to overrule, and an alternative plan for the sheriff's consideration.

b.

The sheriff shall annually conduct a needs assessment to identify the financial requirements necessary to perform the services required to provide a unified 911 call center, including, but not limited to:

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hb1211-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 1211 2025 (I) Telephony.

(II) Radio dispatch.

(III) Information technology.

c.

Counties shall provide total funding for the unified 911 call center as determined by the annual needs assessment and as requested by the sheriff but do not have any right or control over the funds or equipment of the center.

A unified 911 call center operated by a sheriff may not be included in the sheriff's operational budget but shall serve as a separate line item and fulfillment requirement by the county to the sheriff.

The county must be provided funding and each jurisdiction that is provided services under this paragraph must provide pro-rata funding to the county based on its population.

Any funding not covered by the 911 fee as requested by the annual needs assessment shall be provided by the participating jurisdictions on a pro-rata basis.

d.

A sheriff may choose to contract with another county or another county's unified 911 call center to meet the requirements of this section.

If a sheriff chooses to contract with another county, the executive board's membership shall increase by two additional voting members.

The two additional voting members shall be the contracting sheriff and a representative of the county government of the additional county.

All other jurisdictions represented by the contracting sheriff may each appoint a member to the nonvoting advisory Page 10 of 25 CODING:

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hb1211-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 1211 2025 board, each of whom has the right to attend and participate in meetings as a nonvoting member.

4.

If a sheriff opts out of the operation of a unified 911 call center, the county shall establish a regional 911 call center.

A regional 911 call center may be within one county or among several counties that choose to pool resources.

A memorandum of understanding is required between the agencies involved.

A regional 911 call center shall be governed by a regional 911 operations board made up of agencies within the participating county or counties.

a.

Members of the regional 911 operations board shall include the agency head of each law enforcement, fire rescue, or emergency rescue service that operates in the regional 911 call center.

Members shall serve 2-year terms.

The sheriff of each county in the regional 911 call center shall be a member of the board.

In the event that there are an even amount of members, the chair of the board shall rotate between the sheriffs of each participating county and each sheriff shall serve on the board for a period of 2 years.

b.

The board's operating expenses shall be funded on a pro-rata basis from each participating county.

c.

The board shall annually conduct a needs assessment to identify the financial requirements necessary to perform the services required to provide a regional 911 call center, including, but not limited to:

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hb1211-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 1211 2025 (I) Telephony.

(II) Radio dispatch.

(III) Information technology.

d.

Counties shall provide total funding for the regional 911 call center as required and as requested by the regional 911 operations board but do not have any right or control over the funds or equipment of the center.

Each jurisdiction that is provided services under this subparagraph must provide pro-rata funding to the county or counties based on its population.

Any amount not covered by the 911 fee as requested by the annual needs assessment shall be provided by the participating jurisdictions on a pro-rata basis.

(f) The Department of Law Enforcement shall negotiate and establish a preferred price list for major equipment used in the operation of unified 911 call centers to maximize cost savings to the state.

Unified 911 call centers are encouraged, but not required, to use the preferred price list.

The preferred price list shall, at a minimum, include preferred prices for:

1.

Radios.

2.

Computer-aided dispatch software.

3.

Telephone equipment.

4.

Related software.

The office shall be responsible for the implementation and coordination of such plan.

The office shall adopt any necessary Page 12 of 25 CODING:

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hb1211-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 1211 2025 rules and schedules related to public agencies for implementing and coordinating the plan, pursuant to chapter 120.

Section 6.

Section 365.1795, Florida Statutes, is created to read:

365.1795 Dispatch of the closest unit required.— (1) A 911 call center shall dispatch the closest unit to an emergency regardless of jurisdiction.

(2) By July 1, 2026, an agency must sign a memorandum of understanding to reflect the requirements of this section and to set standard operating procedures.

(3) If an agency responds to an emergency pursuant to the requirements of this section, the agency must be reimbursed quarterly for the cost of the services provided at true cost without markup from the jurisdiction in which the emergency occurred.

Section 7.

(c) Standards for maintaining and clearing computer data Pageof 13information ofconcerning 25a CODING:missing child or missing adult which is stored in the Florida Crime Information Center, the National Crime Information Center, and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.

The standards must require, at a minimum, a monthly review of each case entered into the Florida Crime Information Center and the National Crime Information Center, an annual review of each case entered into the National Page 3 of 11 CODING:

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The standards must require, at a minimum, a monthly review of each case entered into the Florida Crime Information Center and the National Crime Information Center, an annual review of each case entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, and a determination of whether the case should be maintained in the databases database.

(b) Upon the filing of a credible police report that an adult is missing, the law enforcement agency receiving the report shall, within 2 hours after receipt of the report, transmit the report for inclusion within the Florida Crime Information Center and, the National Crime Information Center, and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System databases, and shall, within 90 days after receipt of the Page 144 of 2511 CODING:

hb1211-00hb1211-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HBCS/HB 1211 2025 (b) Upon the filing of a credible police report that an adult is missing, the law enforcement agency receiving the report shall, within 2 hours after receipt of the report, transmit the report for inclusion within the Florida Crime Information Center and, the National Crime Information Center, and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System databases, and shall, within 90 days after receipt of the report, transmit the report to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.

Section 8.5.

Any person having knowledge may submit a missing endangered person report to the clearinghouse concerning a child or adult younger than 26 years of age whose whereabouts is unknown, regardless of the circumstances, subsequent to reporting such child or adult missing to the appropriate law enforcement agency within the county in which the child or adult Pagebecame 15missing, and subsequent to entry by the law enforcement agency of 25the CODING:child or person into the Florida Crime Information Center and, the National Crime Information Center, and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System databases.

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hb1211-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 1211 2025 became missing, and subsequent to entry by the law enforcement agency of the child or person into the Florida Crime Information Center and, the National Crime Information Center, and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System databases.

Only the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction overPage the5 case may submit a missing endangered person report to the clearinghouse involving a missing adult age 26 years or older who is suspected by a law enforcement agency of being11 endangeredCODING: or the victim of criminal activity.

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hb1211-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 1211 2025 over the case may submit a missing endangered person report to the clearinghouse involving a missing adult age 26 years or older who is suspected by a law enforcement agency of being endangered or the victim of criminal activity.

Section 9.6.

The Pageunit 16shall focus on identifying threats, analyzing patterns of 25life, CODING:gathering actionable intelligence, formulating an effective action plan, and executing arrests or revealing the intent of this state to compel a response, thus avoiding protracted investigations.

The unit may conduct direct action missions against identifiable threats on its own or join other units to counteract and stop such threats.

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hb1211-00hb1211-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HBCS/HB 1211 2025 unit(2) shallThe focusCounterterrorism/Counterintelligence onUnit identifyingshall threats,consist analyzing patterns of life,seven gatheringteams, actionablewith intelligence,one formulatingteam anassigned effectiveto actioneach plan,Regional andDomestic executingSecurity arrestsTask orForce revealinghoused theat intenteach of thisthe statedepartment's toregional compeloperations acenters. response, thus avoiding protracted investigations.

TheSection unit7. may conduct direct action missions against identifiable threats on its own or join other units to counteract and stop such threats.

(2) The Counterterrorism/Counterintelligence Unit shall consist of seven teams, with one team assigned to each Regional Domestic Security Task Force housed at each of the department's regional operations centers.

Section 10.

Further, the employing agency, training center, or criminal justice selection center must verify that the applicant has Pageserved 17as a full-time sworn officer in another state or for the Federal Government for at least 1 year provided there is no more than an 8-year break in employment or was a previously certified Florida officer provided there is no more than an 8-year break in employment, as measured from the separation date of 25the CODING:most recent qualifying employment to the time a complete application is submitted for an exemption under this section.

The employing Page 7 of 11 CODING:

hb1211-00hb1211-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HBCS/HB 1211 2025 servedagency, astraining acenter, full-time sworn officer in another state or forcriminal thejustice Federalselection Governmentcenter forshall atsubmit leastdocumentation 1of yearsatisfaction provided there is no more than an 8-year break in employment or was a previously certified Florida officer provided there is no more than an 8-year break in employment, as measured from the separation date of thethis mostrequirement recent qualifying employment to the timecommission; a complete application is submitted for an exemption under this section.

The employing agency, training center, or criminal justice selection center shall submit documentation of satisfaction of this requirement to the commission;

or (c) Served as an intelligence or counterintelligence officer or agent for a minimum of 5 years, provided that there Pageis 18no ofmore 25than CODING:a 4-year break from the applicant's special operations forces experience, as measured from the separation date from the military or federal government to the time a complete application for an exemption under this subsection is submitted.

The employing agency, training center, or criminal justice selection center shall further verify and document the specific training and experience the applicant received during Page 8 of 11 CODING:

hb1211-00hb1211-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HBCS/HB 1211 2025 ishis noor moreher thanintelligence aor 4-yearcounterintelligence breakservice fromthat theis applicant'srelevant special operations forces experience, as measured from the separation date from the military or federal government to thelaw timeenforcement. a complete application for an exemption under this subsection is submitted.

The employing agency, training center, or criminal justice selection center shall further verify and document the specific training and experience the applicant received during his or her intelligence or counterintelligence service that is relevant to law enforcement.

Section 11.8.

Section 12.9.

First responder amputees.—An individual who is Pagecertified 19as ofa 25first CODING:responder, as defined in s.

112.1815(1), Florida Statutes, who has a physical disability resulting from amputation may continue to serve as a first responder if he or she meets the first responder certification requirements without an accommodation.

Section 10.

Florida Medal of Valor and Florida Blue/Red Heart Medal.— Page 9 of 11 CODING:

hb1211-00hb1211-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HBCS/HB 1211 2025 certified(1)(a) asThere ais created the Florida Medal of Valor for first responder,responders, as defined in s.

112.1815(1), Florida Statutes, who has a physical disability resulting from amputation may continue to serve as a first responder if he or she meets the first responder certification requirements without an accommodation.

Section 13.

Florida Medal of Valor and Florida Blue/Red Heart Medal.— (1)(a) There is created the Florida Medal of Valor for first responders, as defined in s.

The Pageboard 20shall consist of 25five CODING:individuals as follows:

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hb1211-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 1211 2025 board shall consist of five individuals as follows:

At least threePage board10 membersof must11 beCODING: active, retired, or former law enforcement officers or firefighters.

Section 14.

(1) The Department of Law Enforcement shall conduct a study assessing the viability, necessity, and possibility of creating hurricane-hardened public safety operations centers.

By July 1, 2026, the department shall submit a report containing the results of the study to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, the chair of the Security and Threat Assessment Committee of the House of Representatives, and the chair of the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security of the Senate.

(2) The report shall:

(a) Address the need for regional backup centers addressing the potential need for hardened space if a county experiences a direct hit from a debilitating weather event or any manmade cataclysmic event that could disable a county's ability to operate emergency services.

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hb1211-00hb1211-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HBCS/HB 1211 2025 (b)three Identifyboard amembers minimummust ofbe fiveactive, regionalretired, locationsor toformer houselaw theenforcement regionalofficers backupor centers.firefighters.

(c)Section Provide11. a standardized list of what is housed and what is necessary to be housed at each regional backup center.

At a minimum, each regional backup center shall house:

1.

911 dispatching and call taking.

2.

An emergency operations center.

3.

Worker housing.

4.

Food service facilities.

5.

Information technology.

6.

Backup generator.

7.

A Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF).

8.

Parking capacity for relocating units.

(d) Estimate a price for each regional backup center and a total estimated price of the project.

(e) Identify alternate uses of the regional backup center in nonemergency settings to co-use the space.

(f) Identify a list of potential local, state, and federal tenants.

Section 15.

(1) The Florida Department of Public Safety Consolidation Task Force, a task force as defined in s.

20.03(5), Florida Statutes, is created within the Department of Law Enforcement.

The task force shall specify the steps and legislation necessary and provide the cost estimates and timelines required to implement the consolidation of all law Page 22 of 25 CODING:

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hb1211-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 1211 2025 enforcement agencies into a Florida Department of Public Safety as outlined in this section.

The purpose of the consolidation is to maximize this state's crime fighting ability, intelligence capability, and defensive capacity while increasing government efficiency, consolidating chains of command, increasing communications and coordination, standardizing training, pooling resources, increasing opportunities for officers such as increased salaries and promotions, and better preparing this state through one voice of law enforcement.

(2) The task force shall consist of the following members, each of whom must be appointed by July 31, 2025:

(a) A senator appointed by the President of the Senate.

(b) A member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(c) Three representatives of the Department of Law Enforcement appointed by the executive director of the department.

(d) A representative of the Division of Florida Highway Patrol of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles appointed by the executive director of the department.

(e) A representative of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission appointed by the executive director of the commission.

(f) A representative of the Capitol Police appointed by the director of the Capitol Police.

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hb1211-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 1211 2025 (g) A representative of the Governor appointed by the Governor.

(3) The task force shall prepare and submit a report by July 1, 2026, to each person who appointed at least one member to the task force as provided in subsection (2).

(4) The task force shall establish a Florida Department of Public Safety to be administered by a director appointed by the Governor.

The director shall appoint a deputy director and chiefs.

The chiefs shall administer the following areas:

(a) Administration, including fleet management, human resources, purchasing, federal liaison, professional standards, internal affairs, and communications.

(b) Patrol, including the Florida Highway Patrol, which shall maintain its current duties and branding, and the Capitol Police, which shall be dissolved and part of the Florida Department of Public Safety.

(c) Investigations, including the intel and fusion center, cyber unit, crime analysts, law enforcement officer shooting investigations, homicide, and narcotics.

(d) Investigative Support, including crime labs, forensics, DNA analysis, fingerprinting, and background screening.

(e) Special Operations, including Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), bomb, dive, drone, and mounted units.

(f) Marine and Environmental, including Fish and Wildlife Page 24 of 25 CODING:

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hb1211-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 1211 2025 Conservation Commission units.

(g) Dignitary Protection, including units assigned to protect the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General.

(h) Aviation, including all aviation assets from all agencies.

(5) The Department of Law Enforcement shall provide administrative support to the task force.

(6) This section is repealed upon submission of the task force report under subsection (3).

Section 16.

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