“This essentially amounts to whole new arrest without probable cause in violation of the 4th Amendment,” Kara Gross, legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida told The News Service of Florida. “It opens up the door for racial profiling and discriminatory policing.”
The bill, however, has received heavy support in the Republican-dominated House, drawing 23 co-sponsors and passing the Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee earlier this month. The bill must clear the House Judiciary Committee before it can go to the House floor.
A Senate version (SB 786), filed by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, has not been taken up in committees.
–END–
3/21/2017
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