State Sexual Predator Bills Ready For Final Vote

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — A final state House committee had signed off on a package of bills designed to strengthen Florida's sexual predator laws.

The House Judiciary Committee combined parts of seven bills to form four bills that exactly match their Senate counterparts and then approved them Monday.

The Senate plans to pass their bills Tuesday and the House is expected to send them to Gov. Rick Scott next week.

One bill would require a mandatory 50-year sentence for people who rape children or who are considered dangerous sexual offenders — double the current mandatory penalty.

Lawmakers will also make changes to a program that allows the civil commitment of sexual predators who have finished their prison sentences in an effort to close loopholes that allow the release of some dangerous offenders.

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In:
• Florida Legislature
• Florida Senate
• Florida House