FloridaFlorida courts may place some veterans in treatment programs
For certain nonviolent felonies committed on or after July 1, 2026, sentencing courts may place qualified servicemembers and veterans in treatment court programs.
What it does
For certain nonviolent felonies, a sentencing court may place an eligible servicemember or veteran in a treatment court program as part of probation or community control.
A veterans treatment court judge hears and decides a participant’s probation or community control violation after a hearing or an admission.
Defendants may apply to a veterans treatment court at any stage of a criminal case. Eligibility depends on service-related conditions and whether participation serves justice and benefits the defendant and community.
Argument forEligible servicemembers and veterans could receive treatment through a court program while serving probation or community control for certain nonviolent felonies.
Argument againstA participant who does not follow program terms could be sent back to the sentencing court, and a judge may impose lawful sentence terms after a violation.
More detail
A sentencing court may place an eligible defendant in a postadjudicatory veterans treatment court program. This applies to a third-degree felony under chapter 810 or another felony that is not a forcible felony. The defendant must be a servicemember or veteran, qualify for the program, and agree to enter after being told its purpose. Successful program completion must be a condition of probation or community control. This applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.
The veterans treatment court judge hears and decides a participant’s probation or community control violation. This applies to people sentenced to a postadjudicatory veterans treatment court program who face a probation or community control violation while participating. The violation must occur while the person is participating in the postadjudicatory program. The judge decides what to do after a hearing or the participant admits the violation; any sentence or conditions must be lawful. The sentencing court gives up jurisdiction while the defendant is active in the program. The case returns to that court if the defendant is terminated for failing to comply or completes the sentence.
A defendant seeking admission applies to the state attorney, who reviews whether the defendant meets the eligibility requirements. The listed service-related conditions include mental health conditions, traumatic brain injury, substance use disorder, psychological problems, or military sexual trauma. The text says a defendant may be admitted at any stage of a criminal proceeding. Eligibility requires approval and consideration of whether participation serves justice and benefits the defendant and community. The text names the state attorney, court, and multidisciplinary team in the approval process. An application may be made at any stage of the criminal proceeding.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 12Chapter No. 2026-128Latest
- Jun 11Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 9Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Feb 26Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 26In Messages
- Feb 26Immediately certified
- Feb 26CS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Feb 26Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 26Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 26Substituted for CS/SB 50
- Feb 26Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Feb 26Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Feb 10ReceivedMinor
- Feb 9Referred to RulesMinor
- Feb 4In Messages
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 4CS passed; YEAS 110, NAYS 0Passed House
- Feb 4Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 4Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 4Read 2nd timeMinor
- Jan 29Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/4/2026)
- Jan 13Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Jan 131st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)Minor
- Jan 131st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- 2025
- Dec 12Bill referred to House Calendar
- Dec 11CS FiledMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Judiciary Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Dec 11Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Dec 11Reported out of Judiciary Committee
- Dec 11Favorable with CS by Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Dec 4Added to Judiciary Committee agenda
- Nov 7Now in Judiciary Committee
- Nov 7Referred to Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Nov 5CS FiledMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Criminal Justice Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Nov 5Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Nov 5Reported out of Criminal Justice Subcommittee
- Nov 5Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice SubcommitteeMinor
- Oct 29Added to Criminal Justice Subcommittee agenda
- Oct 21Now in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
- Oct 21Referred to Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Oct 21Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Oct 21Referred to Criminal Justice SubcommitteeMinor
- Oct 16FiledIntroduced
Criminal JusticeVeterans