Subcommittee advances measure to elevate repeated assaults on officers to felony

Representative Gentry told the Justice Subcommittee that CS for HB 623 would add the offense of "resisting an officer with violence" to the list of predicate offenses that elevate a later battery conviction against a law-enforcement officer to a third-degree felony. "Adds resisting an officer with violence to the list of predicate offenses, that elevates a subsequent battery conviction from a first degree misdemeanor to a third degree felony," Representative Gentry said in presenting the bill.

Committee members heard no questions and multiple law-enforcement organizations waived in support, including William B. Smith of the Police Benevolent Association, Molly Hudson of the Volusia Sheriff's Office and the Police Chiefs Association. No members offered substantive debate during the committee's consideration.

After Representative Gentry closed, Miss Rosa called the roll and the committee recorded 12 yays and 0 nays. By that vote, the bill was reported favorably out of the subcommittee for further consideration.

Why it matters: The change would raise the criminal grading for a person who previously was convicted of 'resisting an officer with violence' and later commits battery on an officer. Supporters argued the amendment aligns sentencing with the seriousness of violent conduct against law enforcement; no fiscal impacts or sentencing-table details were presented during the subcommittee hearing.

What happened next: The subcommittee voted to report the bill favorably and advance it in the legislative process. No amendments were offered during today’s hearing.

Sources: Presentation by Representative Gentry and waivers in support from listed law-enforcement groups recorded during the subcommittee meeting.