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FloridaHB 40732025House

Leon County

Sponsored By: Allison Tant (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationIntergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeGovernment Operations SubcommitteeState Affairs CommitteeHouse CalendarRules

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Job protections for Leon sheriff’s employees

The law gives covered full-time Leon County Sheriff’s Office employees permanent status after 1 calendar year of service. Employees already meeting that mark when the law took effect became permanent then. It excludes the Sheriff, sworn captains and higher ranks, civilian directors and higher ranks, and special deputies not employed full-time. Sworn service starts on the swearing-in date; civilian service starts on the date in personnel or payroll records. Promotions, demotions, transfers, suspensions, and promotion probation do not reset that date. However, disciplinary probation lasting at least 6 months or termination followed by rehiring requires another calendar year to regain permanent status and appeal rights. Permanent employees keep their status during promotion probation, but demotion during that period carries no appeal right under this law. Permanent employees can be suspended or dismissed only for cause, including poor performance, misconduct, rule violations, habitual drug abuse, or specified criminal or traffic charges. They must receive written notice and a chance to respond; emergencies allow immediate action with written reasons within 24 hours. A new Sheriff must retain covered permanent staff, but can replace exempt leaders without an appeal for those exempt positions. Replaced exempt sworn staff can be dismissed, returned to a prior permanent non-exempt rank, or offered a qualified position with comparable pay.

Leon sheriff’s employees gain pay appeals

Permanent Leon County Sheriff’s Office employees can appeal dismissal, demotion, pay cuts, and suspensions longer than 3 working days. The law lowers the prior 5-day suspension cutoff; reprimands and suspensions of 3 working days or less remain excluded. A written appeal must reach the Sheriff within 3 business days after notice of the action. The Board must be selected and meet to hear it within 15 business days after the Sheriff receives it. Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding holidays recognized by the Sheriff’s Office. An appealed unpaid suspension is put on hold until review ends, delaying the loss of pay. By majority vote, the Board issues written findings and a final decision binding both sides. It can overturn or modify discipline and order reinstatement with back pay, but cannot impose a harsher penalty.

Hearing rules for Leon sheriff’s employees

Employees have a right to a public appeal hearing, representation including a lawyer, and a chance to present evidence. Each appeal uses five employee Board members: two chosen by the Sheriff, two by the employee, and a chair chosen by those four. The personnel chief serves without a vote; selected members can decline service and receive no extra pay. The Sheriff must have the General Counsel or another designated representative at the hearing. Technical court evidence rules do not apply: hearsay and evidence allowed in Florida courts can be used. The chair decides objections, and the Board must exclude irrelevant, immaterial, or overly repetitive evidence. The Board can administer oaths, subpoena witnesses, and require records. Only the chair can ask a County Judge to enforce orders, subpoenas, or lawful testimony through contempt proceedings. The party calling a witness pays civil-case attendance and mileage fees; the Sheriff’s Office pays for Board-called witnesses.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Allison Tant

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee

    Affiliation unavailable

  • State Affairs Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 150 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/30/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 36 • No: 0

House vote • 4/24/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 114 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2025-250

    7/8/2025

  2. Approved by Governor

    6/5/2025

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    6/4/2025

  4. Ordered enrolled

    4/30/2025House

  5. In Messages

    4/30/2025House

  6. CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 742

    4/30/2025Senate

  7. Read 3rd time -SJ 742

    4/30/2025Senate

  8. Read 2nd time -SJ 742

    4/30/2025Senate

  9. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading -SJ 736

    4/30/2025Senate

  10. Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 736

    4/30/2025Senate

  11. Received

    4/25/2025Senate

  12. Referred to Rules

    4/25/2025Senate

  13. In Messages

    4/24/2025Senate

  14. CS passed; YEAS 114, NAYS 0

    4/24/2025House

  15. Read 3rd time

    4/24/2025House

  16. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    4/24/2025House

  17. Placed on 3rd reading

    4/24/2025House

  18. Read 2nd time

    4/24/2025House

  19. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (4/24/2025)

    4/17/2025House

  20. Added to Second Reading Calendar

    4/4/2025House

  21. Bill referred to House Calendar

    4/4/2025House

  22. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)

    4/3/2025House

  23. CS Filed

    4/3/2025House

  24. Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)

    4/3/2025House

  25. Reported out of State Affairs Committee

    4/3/2025House

Bill Text

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