A bill to be entitled

An act relating to capital punishment; repealing all statutory provisions authorizing the death penalty; providing for resentencing; providing for victim‑services support; providing an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

Section 1. Short Title.

This act may be cited as the “Florida Abolition of Capital Punishment Act.”

Section 2. Legislative Findings and Intent.

(1) The Legislature finds that: (a) Every human being possesses inherent dignity that is not lost through criminal conduct. (b) Modern correctional systems provide secure means to protect the public without taking life. (c) Florida has experienced wrongful convictions and exonerations in capital cases, demonstrating the irreversible risk of fatal error. (d) A significant number of individuals sentenced to death have histories of severe mental illness, traumatic brain injury, childhood trauma, or service‑related post‑traumatic stress disorder. (e) Capital punishment imposes substantial fiscal burdens on taxpayers due to lengthy trials, appeals, and heightened security requirements.

(2) It is the intent of the Legislature to: (a) Abolish the death penalty in the State of Florida. (b) Replace capital punishment with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. (c) Ensure that victims’ families receive robust support services. (d) Promote justice that is consistent with human dignity, constitutional integrity, and fiscal responsibility.

Section 3. Repeal of Capital Punishment Statutes.

(1) Sections 775.082(1), 782.04(1)(b), 921.141, 921.142, 922.01–922.10, and 922.105–922.108, Florida Statutes, are repealed. (2) Any other statutory provision authorizing or referencing the imposition or execution of the death penalty is hereby repealed.

Section 4. Replacement Sentence.

(1) For all offenses previously eligible for the death penalty, the sentence shall be life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. (2) This sentence shall apply prospectively and retroactively as provided in Section 5.

Section 5. Resentencing of Individuals on Death Row.

(1) All individuals currently under a sentence of death shall have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. (2) The sentencing court shall enter an amended judgment reflecting the new sentence. (3) No additional hearings are required unless requested by the defendant or the state.

Section 6. Victim‑Services Support.

(1) The Department of Legal Affairs shall expand victim‑services programs to provide: (a) Trauma counseling; (b) Restorative‑justice opportunities when appropriate; (c) Assistance with navigating the resentencing process. (2) Funding shall be appropriated annually for these services.

Section 7. Severability.

If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.

Section 8. Effective Date.

This act shall take effect July 1, 2027.