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CHANGE IN LAW Raises Penalty for Assault on Security Officers
Tallahassee Fl.- The "Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services- Private Investigations, Recovery, and Security Advisory Council", The Florida Association of Security Companies, and Security Officers from across the State of Florida, joined to lobby the legislature to increase the criminal penalties for assault or battery on a security officer while at work. Security officers were classified as the highest risk group for injury or death from criminal means while at work by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This fact, coupled with the new duties assigned to security officers as part of the war on terror, prompted the agency employees statewide to petition for inclusion in the enhanced penalties statute FSS 784.
After two attempts at unflattering ammendments by Senator Wilson The law change (House Bill 85) was approved without ammendment by the legislature on April 27, 2006.
This law is the second law in two years that was sponsored by Democratic Representative Pricilla Taylor and Republican Senator Carey Baker. Both bills were designed to improve the safety of the States 100,000 licensed security officers while they were on duty. The co-operation that crossed party lines proves that Florida is concerned with the front line officers that protect the citizens and visitors to the state.
House Bill 85 states, in brief: Whenever any person is charged with knowingly committing an assault or battery upon a person licensed as a security officer, while the officer is engaged in the lawful performance of his or her duties, that person may be charged: In the case of assault with a first degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year. In the case of battery with a 3rd
degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. In the case of aggravated assault with a 2nd degree felony punishable by 15 years in prison, and in the case of aggravated battery with a 1st degree felony punishable by 30 years in prison.
For complete text of the new law, as passed, go to www.flsenate.gov and enter HB 85 in the "Search Bill" box on the left side of the page.
Tallahassee Fl.- The "Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services- Private Investigations, Recovery, and Security Advisory Council", The Florida Association of Security Companies, and Security Officers from across the State of Florida, joined to lobby the legislature to increase the criminal penalties for assault or battery on a security officer while at work. Security officers were classified as the highest risk group for injury or death from criminal means while at work by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This fact, coupled with the new duties assigned to security officers as part of the war on terror, prompted the agency employees statewide to petition for inclusion in the enhanced penalties statute FSS 784.
After two attempts at unflattering ammendments by Senator Wilson The law change (House Bill 85) was approved without ammendment by the legislature on April 27, 2006.
This law is the second law in two years that was sponsored by Democratic Representative Pricilla Taylor and Republican Senator Carey Baker. Both bills were designed to improve the safety of the States 100,000 licensed security officers while they were on duty. The co-operation that crossed party lines proves that Florida is concerned with the front line officers that protect the citizens and visitors to the state.
House Bill 85 states, in brief: Whenever any person is charged with knowingly committing an assault or battery upon a person licensed as a security officer, while the officer is engaged in the lawful performance of his or her duties, that person may be charged: In the case of assault with a first degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year. In the case of battery with a 3rd
degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. In the case of aggravated assault with a 2nd degree felony punishable by 15 years in prison, and in the case of aggravated battery with a 1st degree felony punishable by 30 years in prison.
For complete text of the new law, as passed, go to www.flsenate.gov and enter HB 85 in the "Search Bill" box on the left side of the page.
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