Florida Black Caucus calls on Republicans to #HearTheBills in policing reform package – MDJOnline.com

(The Center Square) The Florida Legislative Black Caucus Tuesday unveiled a 16-bill package of fair and just policing and criminal justice reform measures that seek to reimagine law enforcement.

When you look at the bills being rolled out right now, theres one thing thats very clear: No one is pushing to defund the police, Democratic House Co-Leader Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach, said of the 29-member caucuss proposals.

The bills address Floridas Stand Your Ground law, no-knock warrants, police militarization and qualified immunity; seek to establish a minimum arrest age of 10 and a state police misconduct registry; mandate body cameras be worn by all officers, set a minimum standard for police training and prohibit peremptory challenges to strike prospective jurors in criminal trials.

For many of us, the reality is we live in two Americas, two Floridas, said House Minority Co-leader Bobby DuBose, D-Fort Lauderdale, at a Capitol news conference alongside 10 other caucus members.

One Florida has families telling their kids to trust and look for the police when theyre in trouble, DuBose continued. The other Florida has communities that are fearful of law enforcement officers.

With Democrats outnumbered in the House, 72-48, and 24-16 in the Senate and the Legislatures GOP leadership fast-tracking an anti-mob bill cracking down on protests it would appear the package is DOA.

Not so, said Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Orlando, noting many of the bills include input from House Republicans and law enforcement agencies.

We were able to take a collaborative approach and make sure all voices and input are included, she said, launching a #HearTheBills campaign. So yes, I am optimistic some of this legislation will move and once it moves, well define that as a success.

One measure, which Republican leaders are certain to oppose, nevertheless has been assigned to three panels and awaits hearings. Whether it gets one, never mind the three necessary to make it to a floor vote, is uncertain.

House Bill 6035, filed by Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson, D-Gainesville, would end stand your ground defenses by deleting a provision allowing the use or threatened use of deadly force to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony.

To this day, the murder of Trayvon Martin at the hands of George Zimmerman haunts the African American community, Hinson said. We have seen throughout history various laws and legal principles enacted to preserve the status quo of white supremacy. Stand your ground is no different. Its a long past time for Florida to go in a new direction.

HB 6035 was filed Jan. 19. The other proposals in the Florida Legislative Black Caucuss package were introduced between Feb. 3-9 and have not been assigned committees. They include:

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Florida Black Caucus calls on Republicans to #HearTheBills in policing reform package - MDJOnline.com

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