The Public Safety Committee concentrates on general public safety, the judicial system, juvenile detention, impacts to county jails and emergency management. The Association advocates for initiatives that are backed by proven results. Counties have seen much success through the justice reinvestment initiatives, local alternatives to juvenile detention and pretrial services.
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Topic:
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Responsibility for Inmate Medical Expenses (HB 263 / SB 452)
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Outcome:
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Failed
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The Bill:
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Would make counties responsible for costs of all pretrial detainees
medical expenses.
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Impact to Counties:
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Positive fiscal
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Questions?
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Lisa Hurley
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Topic:
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Shared County and State Responsibility for Juvenile Detention (SB 7070)
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Outcome:
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Passed
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The Bill:
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Redefining the term "detention care" to include respite
beds for juveniles charged with domestic violence, etc
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Impact to Counties:
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Positive impact to counties of approximately $2.5 million / reduction
in shared county/state detention cost share trust fund
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Questions?
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Lisa Hurley
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Topic:
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911 Public Safety Telecommunicators (HB 1227 / SB 514)
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Outcome:
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Passed / Sent to Governor for signature
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The Bill:
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Provides that a sworn state-certified law enforcement officer under
certain circumstances is not included in the definition of the term "911
public safety telecommunicator";
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Impact to Counties:
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Potential positive fiscal thru less FTEs
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Questions?
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Lisa Hurley
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Topic:
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Pretrial Release Programs (HB 875 / SB 1730)
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Outcome:
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Failed
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The Bill:
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Would have limited county pretrial release programs only to indigent
clients.
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Impact to Counties:
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Negative Fiscal Impact
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Questions?
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Lisa Hurley
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Topic:
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Electronic Monitoring of Juveniles (HB 471 / SB 1100)
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Outcome:
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Failed
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The Bill:
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Would have allowed the use of electronic monitoring of juvenile
offenders in certain situations in lieu of detention.
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Impact to Counties:
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Potential negative fiscal
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Questions?
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Lisa Hurley
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Topic:
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Misdemeanor Pretrial Substance Abuse Programs (HB 183 / SB 186)
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Outcome:
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Passed
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The Bill:
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Expands the population of persons eligible to participate in
misdemeanor pretrial substance abuse programs.
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Impact to Counties:
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Possible negative fiscal due to fewer trials and reduced jail
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Questions?
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Lisa Hurley
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Topic:
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Respite Bed Initiative (HB 5401)
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Outcome:
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Passed
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The Bill:
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Allows DJJ to contract for respite beds for youth charged with domestic violence who otherwise would not meet the criteria for secure detention but keep them anyway simply because they have no other place to go.
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Impact to Counties:
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$2.4 Million savings to counties
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Questions?
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Lisa Hurley
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2011-12 Public Safety Policy Chairs*
Sally Heyman, Co-Chair (Miami-Dade)
Jeremy Branch, Co-Chair (Jackson)
Joie Alexander, Co-Vice Chair (Volusia)
Winn Webb, Co-Vice Chair (Citrus)
*All FAC members are invited to participate in any committee they find of interest, only the Chairs and Co-Chairs are appointed by the President.
Public Safety
Public safety is a priority for every Floridian and that's why FAC advocates for local control that will allow Counties to make decisions that protect their communities.
- Juvenile Detention - Unlike many other states, counties fund the majority of the 25 secure juvenile detention facilities throughout Florida. This cost share creates a unique situation for Florida’s juvenile justice system. However, reform efforts are afoot. Civil citation programs and community alternatives to detention are two of the initiatives that will keep accountability and decision-making at the local level.
- Pretrial Services - allow counties to save tax dollars by monitoring defendants who pose little risk to public safety while they are waiting for a final court disposition.
- Smart Justice - The Coalition for Smart Justice produced the "Smart Justice Report" which gives cost efficient justice reform ideas to Florida's policy makers. Since the Justice Summit in November 2009, the Smart Justice Initiative has migrated to Tax Watch. This move will focus on ensuring that criminal justice and corrections decisions are fiscally sound.
- Impacts to County Jails - Sheriffs are the leading law enforcement body charged with protecting the public, which is why FAC works closely with the Florida Sheriffs Association, local Sheriffs and jail administrators. Boards of County Commissioners are responsible for approving the Sheriff’s budget, which can be more than one half of the county’s entire budget. This often includes salaries for law enforcement officers, patrol fleet vehicles, local diversion initiatives and jail operating costs.
- General Public Safety - The public safety of all Floridians is a priority for the Association, including issues such as automated traffic enforcement, county emergency radio systems and funding for local crime laboratories.
- Court Funding - Counties also assist in the pursuit of justice by funding county courthouses, law libraries, specialized courts and pretrial programs.
- Emergency Management - Public safety is largely a local issue, but there are many instances when coordinating citizen safety must transcend county lines. Unexpected events, like hurricanes or a terrorist attack, require local preparation, statewide commitment and often national coordination.
For more information on Public Safety issues contact Lisa M. Hurley, Legislative Advocate II at (850) 922-4300 and for more information on Emergency Management issues contact Eric Poole, Assistant Legislative Director.