Bill Addresses Property Seizure By Police

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — Florida's House has unanimously passed a bill that would require law enforcement to formally arrest someone before they could seize their cars, money, homes or other property.

Last week the Senate passed the measure which will now go to Gov. Rick Scott for his signature.

The bill (SB 1044) is designed to prevent abuses of the current law, which doesn't require an arrest before property is seized, but rather law enforcement's belief that it was likely used in a crime.

It also provides other protections for citizens, such as requiring law enforcement agencies to pay $1,000 in court fees upon seizing property and put up a $1,500 bond that would go to the property owner if a court decides assets were improperly seized.

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In:
• Florida Legislature
• Florida Senate
• Florida House