Senate passes bill to expand treatment access for defendants
Sen. Jonathan Martin
The Senate on Thursday approved a bipartisan measure that would give more defendants accused of lower-level crimes access to court-ordered treatment.
The Senate voted 37-1 to approve SB 878 by Criminal Justice Chair Jonathan Martin, a Ft. Myers attorney and former prosecutor.
Martin said the measure would expand an existing law that permits judges to sentence misdemeanants to up to a year of probation if “alcohol was a significant factor” in the alleged offense.
The bill would add “a controlled substance” to the list of significant factors, Martin said.
“Under current Florida law, somebody who commits a crime while under the influence of alcohol can have a prolonged probation time period to get treatment for their alcohol addiction,” he said. “SB 878 extends that for controlled substances so that those committing crimes while under the influence of controlled substances can get the help they need.”
The bill would enhance public safety by keeping misdemeanants under court supervision longer and give defendants more time to recover successfully, Martin said.
Democratic Sen. Rosalind Osgood, a Tamarac CEO, cast the lone negative vote.
The bill was forwarded to the House, where an identical companion, HB 91, is ready to be substituted for final legislative approval. Democratic Rep. Michele Rayner, a St. Petersburg attorney, is the House sponsor.
