Committee backs bill letting FDLE adopt rules for medal programs and training duties

Representative Lehi Abbott presented CS for HB 849 to authorize the Department of Law Enforcement to adopt rules to implement the Florida "bridal valor" and the "Florida Blue Red Heart" medal program and to clarify commission appointment continuity for medical examiners. He said the measure gives the medical examiner's commission authority to appoint district medical examiners, assigns the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission responsibility for creating certain training courses for law enforcement and correctional officers, and lists methods FDLE must use when serving administrative complaints.

The bill drew no amendments and limited public testimony. Will Grissom of FDLE waived in support. Representative Abbott closed the presentation without extended debate.

The committee recorded a roll-call vote of 13 yays, 0 nays; the chair announced the bill will be reported favorably to the next stage. The vote means the committee recommended advancing the bill; further action will occur on the House floor and in subsequent committees as required.