CHAPTER 943

943.01 Short title. This chapter may be cited as the “Department of Law Enforcement Act.” History. — s. 1, ch. 74-386; s. 2, ch. 78-347; s. 2, ch. 98-94. 943.02 Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter: (1) “Department” means the Department of Law Enforcement. (2) “Executive director” means the executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement. History. — s. 2, ch. 74-386; s. 2, ch. 78-347. 943.03 Department of Law Enforcement. (1) The executive director shall have served at least 5 years as a police executive or possess training and experience in police affairs or public administration and shall be a bona fide resident of the state. It shall be the duty of the executive director to supervise, direct, coordinate, and administer all activities of the department and to exercise the duties prescribed for the director of the Florida Mutual Aid Plan under part I of chapter 23, known as the Florida Mutual Aid Act. (2) Upon specific direction by the Governor in writing to the executive director, the department shall investigate the misconduct, in connection with their official duties, of public officials and employees and of members of public corporations and authorities subject to suspension or removal by the Governor. All records related to such investigation, including any correspondence from the Governor, are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) until such time as the investigation is completed or ceases to be active. For purposes of this subsection, an investigation is considered “active” while the investigation is being conducted by the department with a reasonable, good faith belief that it may lead to the filing of criminal proceedings or gubernatorial action. An investigation does not cease to be active if the department is proceeding with reasonable dispatch and there is a good faith belief that either gubernatorial action or action by the department or other administrative or law enforcement agency may be initiated. (3) The department shall employ such administrative, clerical, technical, and professional personnel, including directors, as are required, at salaries to be established by the department, to perform such duties as the department may prescribe. (4) The department shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of law conferring powers or duties upon it. The department may adopt rules defining acts of misconduct and setting standards of disciplinary action for its employees. (5) The department may make and enter into all contracts and agreements with other agencies, organizations, associations, corporations, individuals, or federal agencies as the department may determine are necessary, expedient, or incidental to the performance of its duties or the execution of its power under this chapter. However, nothing in this chapter shall authorize the employment of private investigative personnel by contract to conduct investigations. (6)(a) The department shall be governed by all laws regulating the purchase of supplies and equipment as other state agencies and may enter into contracts with other state agencies to make photographs and photocopies, to transmit information electronically, and to perform all those services consonant with the purpose of this chapter. (b) It may use without charge the technical personnel and equipment of any state agency. (7) The powers herein enumerated, or set forth in other parts of this chapter, shall be deemed an exercise of the state police power for the protection of the welfare, health, peace, safety, and morals of the people and shall be liberally construed. (8) The Department of Legal Affairs shall be the legal adviser to and shall represent the department. (9) The department may accept for any of its purposes and functions under this chapter any and all donations of property, real, personal, or mixed, and grants of money, from any governmental unit or public agency or from any institution, person, firm, or corporation. Such moneys shall be deposited, disbursed, and administered in a trust fund as provided by law. (10) The department shall make an annual report of its activities to the Governor and to the Legislature and include in such report its recommendations for additional legislation. (11) The department shall establish headquarters in Tallahassee. The Department of Management Services shall furnish the department with proper and adequate housing for its operation. (12) The department may establish, implement, and maintain a statewide, integrated crime information system capable of transmitting criminal justice information relating to criminal offenses to and between criminal justice agencies throughout the state. (13) Subject to sufficient annual appropriations, the department shall develop and maintain, in consultation with the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council under s. 943.08, an information system that supports the administration of the state’s criminal and juvenile justice information sharing in compliance with this chapter and other provisions of law. The department shall serve as custodial manager of the Criminal Justice Network developed and maintained as part of the information system authorized by this subsection. (14) The department, with respect to counter-terrorism efforts, responses to acts of terrorism within or affecting this state, coordinating with and providing assistance to the Federal Government in the enforcement of federal immigration laws, responses to immigration enforcement incidents within or affecting this state, and other matters related to the domestic security of Florida as it relates to terrorism and immigration enforcement incidents, shall coordinate and direct the law enforcement, initial emergency, and other initial responses. The department shall work closely with the Division of Emergency Management, other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, fire and rescue agencies, first-responder agencies, and others involved in preparation against acts of terrorism in or affecting this state, immigration enforcement incidents within or affecting this state, and in the response to such acts or incidents. The executive director of the department, or another member of the department designated by the director, shall serve as Chief of Domestic Security for the purpose of directing and coordinating such efforts. The department and Chief of Domestic Security shall use the regional domestic security task forces as established in this chapter to assist in such efforts. (15) The Department of Law Enforcement, in consultation with the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council established in s. 943.06, shall modify the existing statewide uniform statute table in its criminal history system to meet the business requirements of state and local criminal justice and law enforcement agencies. In order to accomplish this objective, the department shall: (a) Define the minimum business requirements necessary for successful implementation. (b) Consider the charging and booking requirements of sheriffs’ offices and police departments and the business requirements of state attorneys, public defenders, criminal conflict and civil regional counsel, clerks of court, judges, and state law enforcement agencies. (c) Adopt rules establishing the necessary technical and business process standards required to implement, operate, and ensure uniform system use and compliance. (16) Upon request, the department shall consult with sheriffs to provide input regarding programmatic guiding principles, practices, and resources in order to assist in the development and implementation of the Chris Hixon, Coach Aaron Feis, and Coach Scott Beigel Guardian Program established pursuant to s. 30.15. Such input and guidance may include, but need not be limited to, standards, curriculum, instructional strategies, evaluation, certification, records retention, equipment, and other resource needs. History. — ss. 3, 9, ch. 74-386; s. 5, ch. 81-142; s. 1, ch. 89-3; s. 314, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 4, ch. 93-204; s. 7, ch. 93-405; s. 440, ch. 96-406; s. 3, ch. 98-94; s. 226, ch. 98-200; s. 2, ch. 98-251; s. 4, ch. 2000-226; s. 1, ch. 2001-365; s. 2, ch. 2005-165; s. 36, ch. 2010-162; s. 9, ch. 2013-116; s. 3, ch. 2019-22; s. 17, ch. 2023-18; s. 13, ch. 2023-40; s. 10, ch. 2026-80. 943.03101 Counter-terrorism and immigration enforcement coordination. The Legislature finds that with respect to counter-terrorism efforts, initial responses to acts of terrorism within or affecting this state, coordinating with and providing assistance to the Federal Government in the enforcement of federal immigration laws, and responses to immigration enforcement incidents within or affecting this state, specialized efforts of emergency management which are unique to such situations are required and that these efforts intrinsically involve very close coordination of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies with the efforts of all others involved in emergency-response efforts. In order to best provide this specialized effort, the Legislature has determined that such efforts should be coordinated by and through the Department of Law Enforcement, working closely with the Division of Emergency Management and others involved in preparation against acts of terrorism in or affecting this state, immigration enforcement incidents within or affecting this state, and in the initial response to such acts, in accordance with the state comprehensive emergency management plan prepared pursuant to s. 252.35(2)(a). History. — s. 2, ch. 2001-365; s. 1, ch. 2005-165; s. 442, ch. 2011-142; s. 14, ch. 2023-40. 943.03102 Designation of terrorist organizations; effect of designation. (1)(a) In order to ensure the safety of this state, and the safety of the residents of this state, the Chief of Domestic Security may designate an organization: 1. A domestic terrorist organization if the Chief of Domestic Security finds that the organization meets the following criteria: a. The organization is based or operates in this state or the United States. b. The organization is engaging in terrorist activity as defined in s. 775.30. c. The terrorist activity of the organization is an ongoing threat to the security of this state or the United States. 2. A foreign terrorist organization if the Chief of Domestic Security finds that the organization meets the following criteria: a. The organization is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States Secretary of State pursuant to s. 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. b. The terrorist activity of the organization is an ongoing threat to the security of this state or the United States. (b) The Chief of Domestic Security must maintain and publish on the department’s website a current list of organizations that he or she designates as domestic terrorist organizations or foreign terrorist organizations. (c) At least once every 5 years, the Chief of Domestic Security must review each designation made under paragraph (a) which labels an organization a domestic terrorist organization or a foreign terrorist organization. (2)(a) The Chief of Domestic Security must provide written notice to the Governor and Cabinet of his or her intent to designate an organization as a domestic terrorist organization or a foreign terrorist organization, which notice must be accompanied by a summary of the basis for such designation. (b) If the organization has a readily discernible location or office and notice can be delivered or furnished to that organization safely: 1. The notice of intent must be delivered or furnished to the organization. The written findings regarding the basis for such designation need not be included with the notice. 2. The notice must provide the date, time, and location of any public meeting regarding the designation. 3. The notice must provide information on how to object to the designation or appeal a designation. (c) If the Governor and Cabinet hold a meeting to consider the notice of intent, the meeting materials relating to the notice of intent, excluding information that is confidential, exempt, or otherwise protected from disclosure by state or federal law, must be published and made available to the public consistent with s. 120.525. (d) No earlier than 7 days after receipt of written notice made pursuant to paragraph (a), the Governor and Cabinet may, by a majority vote, approve or reject a designation made by the Chief of Domestic Security under subsection (1). (e) Within 7 days after approval by the Governor and Cabinet of a designation made by the Chief of Domestic Security under subsection (1), the Chief of Domestic Security must publish notice of the designation in the Florida Administrative Register. (f) Within 30 days after publication of a notice of the designation in the Florida Administrative Register, the organization designated as a domestic terrorist organization or a foreign terrorist organization, or any member of such organization, may challenge such designation in the circuit court of the Second Judicial Circuit in and for Leon County. The court may not compel the public disclosure of any document that is confidential or exempt under state law or that is confidential, restricted, or otherwise protected from public disclosure according to federal law. (g) Any portion of the information provided under this subsection by the Chief of Domestic Security to the Governor and Cabinet which would reveal information critical to state or national security is exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. This paragraph is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2031, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature. (3)(a) An organization designated as a domestic terrorist organization or a foreign terrorist organization may petition the department, at any time, for the removal of such designation. (b) At any time, the Governor and Cabinet may remove, by a majority vote, a designation made by the Chief of Domestic Security under subsection (1). (4) A state agency, political subdivision, or public school district authorized to expend state-appropriated funds or levy ad valorem taxes may not: (a) Expend such funds or taxes to support a foreign terrorist organization or a domestic terrorist organization, or a member of such organization, whose designation as such has been published in the Florida Administrative Register in accordance with this section. (b) Contract with a foreign terrorist organization or a domestic terrorist organization. (c) Accept any funds from a foreign terrorist organization or a domestic terrorist organization, or a member of such organization, whose designation as such has been published in the Florida Administrative Register in accordance with this section. However, this paragraph does not prohibit the acceptance of funds resulting from fines, penalties, forfeitures, taxes, or payment for goods or services provided to the organization or a member of the organization. (5) The department shall adopt rules to implement this section. History. — s. 8, ch. 2026-28; s. 1, ch. 2026-29. 943.0311 Chief of Domestic Security; duties of the department with respect to domestic security. (1) The executive director of the department, or a member of the department designated by the executive director, shall serve as the Chief of Domestic Security. The Chief of Domestic Security shall: (a) Coordinate the efforts of the department in the ongoing assessment of this state’s vulnerability to, and ability to detect, prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from, acts of terrorism within or affecting this state and immigration enforcement incidents within or affecting this state. (b) Prepare recommendations for the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, which are based upon ongoing assessments to limit the vulnerability of the state to terrorism and immigration enforcement incidents. (c) Coordinate the collection of proposals to limit the vulnerability of the state to terrorism and immigration enforcement incidents. (d) Use regional task forces to support the duties of the department set forth in this section. (e) Use public or private resources to perform the duties assigned to the department under this section. (2) The chief shall regularly coordinate random audits pursuant to s. 448.095 to ensure compliance and enforcement and shall notify the Department of Commerce of any violations. (3) The chief shall conduct or cause to be conducted by the personnel and with the resources of the state agency, state university, or community college that owns or leases a building, facility, or structure, security assessments of buildings, facilities, and structures owned or leased by state agencies, state universities, and community colleges using methods and instruments made available by the department. Each entity making such an assessment shall prioritize its security needs based on the findings of its assessment. Each state agency, state university, and community college shall cooperate with the department and provide the assistance of employees within existing resources to provide to the chief information in the format requested by the chief. The chief must report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives if any state agency, state university, or community college substantially fails to cooperate with the chief in making a security assessment of the buildings, facilities, and structures of the state agency, state university, or community college. Assessments of any building, facility, or structure owned or leased by a state agency, state university, or community college not previously provided to the chief must be completed by the state agency, state university, or community college and provided to the chief before occupying or substantially modifying such building, facility, or structure. The chief may request additional assessments to ensure that the security assessments of buildings, facilities, and structures, owned or leased by state agencies, state universities, and community colleges, remain reasonably current and valid. (4) The chief shall report suggestions for specific and significant security enhancements of any building, facility, or structure owned or leased by a state agency, state university, or community college or any entity that has conducted an assessment under subsection (6). Such suggestions must be submitted to the Domestic Security Oversight Council for inclusion in the report required under s. 943.0313(6). The chief may use the assessments provided under subsection (6) in making his or her suggestions. The report shall suggest strategies to maximize federal funds in support of building or facility security if such funds are available. (5) To promote the continued safety of government buildings, facilities, and structures within the state, the chief shall work in conjunction with state agencies, state universities, community colleges, and local governments to recommend and implement best practices for safety and security of buildings, facilities, and structures owned or leased by state agencies, state universities, community colleges, and local governments. The chief may enlist the assistance of the State Fire Marshal and other domestic security partners in developing the recommended best practices. Best practices may be revised or enhanced by the chief as necessary. The recommended best practices are not a rule as defined in chapter 120. (6) The chief shall communicate to local governments and water management districts the importance of conducting security assessments of buildings, facilities, and structures owned or leased by such local governments or water management districts, and the options local governments and water management districts should consider in obtaining security assessments. The cost of any security assessment of a building, facility, or structure owned or leased by a local government or water management district shall be borne by the local government or water management district, as applicable. (7) The chief may communicate to private entities the options private entities should consider in obtaining security assessments and may solicit private entities for the purpose of communicating such options. The cost of any security assessment of a private entity shall be borne by the private entity. Private entities are urged to cooperate with and assist the department in meeting its responsibilities for domestic security. (8) As used in this section, the term “state agency” includes the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Citrus, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Education, the Department of Elderly Affairs, the Division of Emergency Management, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Financial Services, the Department of Health, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Law Enforcement, the Department of Legal Affairs, the Department of Management Services, the Department of Military Affairs, the Department of Revenue, the Department of State, the Department of the Lottery, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Florida Commission on Offender Review, the State Board of Administration, and the Executive Office of the Governor. History. — s. 3, ch. 2001-365; s. 1, ch. 2004-258; s. 3, ch. 2005-165; s. 443, ch. 2011-142; s. 315, ch. 2014-19; s. 30, ch. 2014-191; s. 95, ch. 2018-110; s. 15, ch. 2023-40; s. 237, ch. 2024-6; s. 5, ch. 2025-83. 943.0312 Regional domestic security task forces. The Legislature finds that there is a need to develop and implement a statewide strategy to address prevention, preparation, protection, response, and recovery efforts by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, emergency management agencies, fire and rescue departments, first-responder personnel, and others in dealing with potential or actual terrorist acts within or affecting this state and potential or actual immigration enforcement incidents within or affecting this state. (1) To assist the department and the Chief of Domestic Security in performing their roles and duties in this regard, the department shall establish a regional domestic security task force in each of the department’s operational regions. The task forces shall serve in an advisory capacity to the department and the Chief of Domestic Security and shall provide support to the department in its performance of functions pertaining to domestic security. (a) Subject to annual appropriation, the department shall provide dedicated employees to support the function of each regional domestic security task force. (b) Each task force shall be co-chaired by the department’s special agent in charge of the operational region in which the task force is located and by a local sheriff or chief of police from within the operational region. (c) Each task force membership may also include representatives of state and local law enforcement agencies, fire and rescue departments, or first-responder personnel; representatives of emergency management agencies and health, medical, and hospital agencies; representatives of local emergency planning committees; and other persons as deemed appropriate and necessary by the task force co-chairs. (d) The co-chairs of each task force may appoint subcommittees and subcommittee chairs as necessary in order to address issues related to the various disciplines represented on the task force, except that subcommittee chairs for emergency management shall be appointed with the approval of the director of the Division of Emergency Management. A subcommittee chair shall serve at the pleasure of the co-chairs. (2) In accordance with the state’s domestic security strategic goals and objectives, each task force shall coordinate efforts to counter terrorism as defined by s. 775.30 and cooperate with and provide assistance to the Federal Government in the enforcement of federal immigration laws within or affecting this state in compliance with chapter 908, among local, state, and federal resources to ensure that such efforts are not fragmented or unnecessarily duplicated; coordinate training for local and state personnel to counter terrorism as defined in s. 775.30; and cooperate with and provide assistance to the Federal Government in the enforcement of federal immigration laws within or affecting this state in compliance with chapter 908; coordinate the collection and dissemination of investigative and intelligence information; and facilitate responses to terrorist incidents within or affecting each region and immigration enforcement incidents within or affecting each region. With the approval of the Chief of Domestic Security, the task forces may incorporate other objectives reasonably related to the goals of enhancing the state’s domestic security and ability to detect, prevent, and respond to acts of terrorism within or affecting this state or immigration enforcement incidents within or affecting this state. Each task force shall take into account the variety of conditions and resources present within its region. (3) The Chief of Domestic Security, in conjunction with the Division of Emergency Management, the regional domestic security task forces, and the various state entities responsible for establishing training standards applicable to state law enforcement officers and fire, emergency, and first-responder personnel shall identify appropriate equipment and training needs, curricula, and materials related to the effective response to suspected or actual acts of terrorism, immigration enforcement incidents, or incidents involving real or hoax weapons of mass destruction as defined in s. 790.166. Recommendations for funding for purchases of equipment, delivery of training, implementation of, or revision to basic or continued training required for state licensure or certification, or other related responses shall be made by the Chief of Domestic Security to the Domestic Security Oversight Council, the Executive Office of the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives as necessary to ensure that the needs of this state with regard to the preparing, equipping, training, and exercising of response personnel are identified and addressed. In making such recommendations, the Chief of Domestic Security and the Division of Emergency Management shall identify all funding sources that may be available to fund such efforts. (4) Each regional domestic security task force, working in conjunction with the department, the Office of the Attorney General, and other public or private entities, shall work to ensure that hate-driven acts against ethnic groups that may have been targeted as a result of acts of terrorism in or affecting this state, or as a result of immigration enforcement incidents within or affecting this state, are appropriately investigated and responded to. (5) Members of each regional domestic security task force may not receive any pay other than their salaries normally received from their employers, but are entitled to reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses in accordance with s. 112.061. (6) Subject to annual appropriation, the department shall provide staff and administrative support for the regional domestic security task forces. History. — s. 4, ch. 2001-365; s. 4, ch. 2005-165; s. 13, ch. 2017-37; s. 16, ch. 2023-40. 943.0313 Domestic Security Oversight Council. The Legislature finds that there exists a need to provide executive direction and leadership with respect to terrorism and immigration enforcement incident prevention, preparation, protection, response, and recovery efforts by state and local agencies in this state. In recognition of this need, the Domestic Security Oversight Council is hereby created. The council shall serve as an advisory council pursuant to s. 20.03(7) to provide guidance to the state’s regional domestic security task forces and other domestic security working groups and to make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature regarding the expenditure of funds and allocation of resources related to counter-terrorism and cooperating with and providing assistance to the Federal Government in the enforcement of federal immigration laws and domestic security efforts. (1) MEMBERSHIP. — (a) The Domestic Security Oversight Council shall consist of the following voting members: 1. The executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement. 2. The director of the Division of Emergency Management. 3. The Attorney General. 4. The Commissioner of Agriculture. 5. The State Surgeon General. 6. The Commissioner of Education. 7. The State Fire Marshal. 8. The adjutant general of the Florida National Guard. 9. The state chief information officer. 10. Each sheriff or chief of police who serves as a co-chair of a regional domestic security task force pursuant to s. 943.0312(1)(b). 11. Each of the department’s special agents in charge who serve as a co-chair of a regional domestic security task force. 12. Two representatives of the Florida Fire Chiefs Association. 13. One representative of the Florida Police Chiefs Association. 14. One representative of the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association. 15. One statewide domestic security intelligence representative selected by the chair of the Florida Fusion Center Executive Advisory Board. 16. One representative of the Florida Hospital Association. 17. One representative of the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council. 18. One representative of the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association. 19. One representative of the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council. (b) In addition to the members designated in paragraph (a), the council may invite other ex officio, nonvoting members to attend and participate in council meetings. Those nonvoting members may include, but need not be limited to: 1. The executive director of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. 2. The Secretary of Health Care Administration. 3. The Secretary of Environmental Protection. 4. The director of the Division of Law Enforcement within the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 5. A representative of the Commission on Human Relations. 6. A representative of the United States Coast Guard. 7. A United States Attorney from a federal judicial circuit within this state. 8. A special agent in charge from an office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation within this state. 9. A representative of the United States Department of Homeland Security. 10. A representative of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 11. A representative of United States Customs and Border Protection. (2) ORGANIZATION. — (a) The Legislature finds that the council serves a legitimate state, county, and municipal purpose and that service on the council is consistent with a member’s principal service in public office or employment. Membership on the council does not disqualify a member from holding any other public office or being employed by a public entity, except that a member of the Legislature may not serve on the council. (b) The executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement shall serve as chair of the council, and the director of the Division of Emergency Management shall serve as vice chair of the council. In the absence of the chair, the vice chair shall serve as chair. In the absence of the vice chair, the chair may name any member of the council to perform the duties of the chair if such substitution does not extend beyond a defined meeting, duty, or period of time. (c) Any absent voting member of the council may be represented by a designee empowered to act on any issue before the council to the same extent that the designating member is empowered. If a co-chair of a regional domestic security task force is absent from a council meeting, the co-chair shall appoint a subcommittee chair of that task force as the designee. (d) The council shall establish bylaws for its general governance. (e) Any member of the council serving by reason of the office or employment held by the member shall cease to serve on the council at such time as he or she ceases to hold the office or employment which was the basis for appointment to the council. (f) Representatives from agencies or organizations other than those designated by title shall be chosen by the entity. Except for those individuals designated by title, council members shall be certified annually to the chair by the organization they represent. (g) Members of the council or their designees shall serve without compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses pursuant to s. 112.061. (h) The department shall provide the council with the staff support necessary to assist in the performance of its duties. (3) MEETINGS. — The council must meet at least semiannually. Additional meetings may be held as necessary. A majority of the members of the council constitutes a quorum. (4) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. — (a) The council shall establish an executive committee consisting of the following members: 1. The executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement. 2. The director of the Division of Emergency Management. 3. The Attorney General. 4. The Commissioner of Agriculture. 5. The State Surgeon General. 6. The Commissioner of Education. 7. The State Fire Marshal. (b) The executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement shall serve as the chair of the executive committee, and the director of the Division of Emergency Management shall serve as the vice chair of the executive committee. (c) The executive committee shall approve all matters brought before the council prior to consideration. When expedited action of the council is deemed necessary by the chair or vice chair, the executive committee may act on behalf of the council. (5) DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL. — (a) The Domestic Security Oversight Council shall serve as an advisory council to the Governor, the Legislature, and the Chief of Domestic Security. The council shall: 1. Review the development, maintenance, and operation of a comprehensive multidisciplinary domestic security strategy that will guide the state’s prevention, preparedness, protection, response, and recovery efforts against terrorist attacks and immigration enforcement incidents and make appropriate recommendations to ensure the implementation of that strategy. 2. Review the development of integrated funding plans to support specific projects, goals, and objectives necessary to the state’s domestic security strategy and make appropriate recommendations to implement those plans. 3. Review and recommend approval of prioritized recommendations from regional domestic security task forces and state working groups on the use of available funding to ensure the use of such funds in a manner that best promotes the goals of statewide, regional, and local domestic security through coordinated planning and implementation strategies. 4. Review and recommend approval of statewide policies and operational protocols that support the domestic security efforts of the regional domestic security task forces and state agencies. 5. Review the overall statewide effectiveness of domestic security efforts, counter-terrorism efforts, and efforts of coordinating with and providing assistance to the Federal Government in the enforcement of federal immigration laws in order to provide suggestions to improve or enhance those efforts. 6. Review the efforts of any agency or entity involved in state or local domestic security efforts, counter-terrorism efforts, and efforts of coordination with and providing assistance to the Federal Government in the enforcement of federal immigration laws that requests assistance or that appears to need such review in order to provide suggestions to improve or enhance those efforts. 7. Review efforts within the state to better secure state and local infrastructure against terrorist attack or immigration enforcement incidents and make recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of such efforts. 8. Review and recommend legislative initiatives related to the state’s domestic security and provide endorsement or recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of such efforts. 9. Review statewide or multiagency mobilizations and responses to major domestic security incidents and recommend suggestions for training, improvement of response efforts, or improvement of coordination or for other strategies that may be derived as necessary from such reviews. 10. Conduct any additional review or inquiry or make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature in support of other initiatives, as may be necessary, to fulfill the function of general oversight of the state’s domestic security efforts, counter-terrorism efforts, and efforts of coordinating with and providing assistance to the Federal Government in the enforcement of federal immigration laws and to promote increased security. 11. Promote and preserve intergovernmental cooperation and consensus among state and local agencies, the Federal Government, private entities, other states, and other nations, as appropriate, under the guidance of the Governor. (b) The Domestic Security Oversight Council shall make an annual funding recommendation to the Governor and Legislature which shall prioritize funding requests based on allocations from all available sources for implementing the state’s domestic security strategy. This recommendation must include the prioritized recommendations of each of the regional domestic security task forces and the various working groups that participate in the prioritization process for funding allocations. The recommendation must reflect the consideration of strategic priorities and allocations that best serve the state’s overall domestic security needs. The recommendation shall be transmitted to the Governor and the Legislature by December 31 of each year. If additional funds become available, or reallocation of funding is required beyond current spending authorizations, the council may make recommendations to the Governor for consideration by the Legislative Budget Commission. (6) REPORTS. — The council shall report annually on its activities, on or before December 31 of each calendar year, to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the chairs of the committees having principal jurisdiction over domestic security in the Senate and the House of Representatives. The report shall include information submitted by the Chief of Domestic Security as required under s. 943.0311(4). (7) AGENCY DESIGNATION. — For purposes of this section, the Domestic Security Oversight Council shall be considered a criminal justice agency within the definition of s. 119.011(4). History. — s. 5, ch. 2005-165; s. 13, ch. 2007-105; s. 111, ch. 2008-6; s. 444, ch. 2011-142; s. 17, ch. 2023-40; s. 4, ch. 2025-83. 943.0314 Public records and public meetings exemptions; Domestic Security Oversight Council. (1)(a) That portion of a meeting of the Domestic Security Oversight Council at which the council will hear or discuss active criminal investigative information or active criminal intelligence information as defined in s. 119.011 is exempt from s. 286.011 and s. 24(b), Art. I of the State Constitution, if: 1. The chair of the council announces at a public meeting that, in connection with the performance of the council’s duties, it is necessary that active criminal investigative information or active criminal intelligence information be discussed. 2. The chair declares the specific reasons that it is necessary to close the meeting, or portion thereof, in a document that is a public record and filed with the official records of the council. 3. The entire closed meeting is recorded. The recording must include the times of commencement and termination of the closed meeting or portion thereof, all discussion and proceedings, and the names of the persons present. No portion of the closed meeting shall be off the record. The recording shall be maintained by the council. (b) An audio or video recording of, and any minutes and notes generated during, a closed meeting of the council or closed portion of a meeting of the council are exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution until such time as the criminal investigative information or criminal intelligence information heard or discussed therein ceases to be active. Such audio or video recording and minutes and notes shall be retained pursuant to the requirements of s. 119.021. (2) Only members of the council, staff supporting the council’s functions, and other persons whose presence has been authorized by the chair of the council shall be allowed to attend the exempted portions of council meetings. The council shall ensure that any closure of its meetings as authorized by this section is limited so that the policy of this state in favor of public meetings is maintained. History. — s. 1, ch. 2005-211; s. 168, ch. 2008-4; s. 1, ch. 2010-74. 943.032 Financial Crime Analysis Center and Financial Transaction Database. (1) There is created within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement a Financial Crime Analysis Center and a Financial Transaction Database. (2) The department shall compile information and data available from financial transaction reports required to be submitted by state or federal law that are provided to the Department of Financial Services, to the Office of Financial Regulation of the Financial Services Commission, to the Department of Revenue, or to which the department otherwise has access. Information and data so received shall be utilized by the department in the Financial Transaction Database. The department shall implement a system utilizing the database that allows data review and processing to reveal patterns, trends, and correlations that are indicative of money laundering or other financial transactions indicative of criminal activity. The department shall, in consultation with the Department of Financial Services, the Office of Financial Regulation of the Financial Services Commission, and the Department of Revenue, establish the methods and parameters by which information and data received by such agencies are transferred to the department for inclusion in the database. Information developed in or through the use of the database shall be made available to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in this state in a manner defined by the department and as allowed by state or federal law or regulation. All information contained in the database shall be considered “active criminal intelligence” or “active criminal investigative information” as defined in s. 119.011. (3) The Financial Crime Analysis Center shall analyze and develop information relating to money laundering, perform postseizure analysis of currency and drug seizures in drug cases, and access information and data in the Financial Transaction Database for the purposes of assisting the department’s drug and money laundering investigation and forfeiture efforts, assisting the efforts of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in this state in investigating ongoing, organized drug trafficking and money laundering activities occurring within the state, and assisting the department in investigations of other financial transactions indicative of criminal activity. The center may perform proactive analyses of information and intelligence to assist in identifying those who may be engaging in money laundering, drug-related criminal activity, or other criminal activity involving financial transactions, but who have evaded detection, investigation, or prosecution. History. — s. 25, ch. 2000-360; s. 1928, ch. 2003-261. 943.0321 The Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Center and the Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Database. (1)(a) There is created within the Department of Law Enforcement the Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Center. (b) The Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Database is created within the Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Center. (2) The intelligence center shall: (a) Gather, document, and analyze active criminal intelligence and criminal investigative information related to terrorism, as defined in s. 775.30, including information related to individuals or groups that plot, plan, or coordinate acts of terrorism, as defined in s. 775.30, and that operate within this state or otherwise commit acts affecting this state; (b) Maintain and operate the domestic security and counter-terrorism database; and (c) Provide support and assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors that investigate or prosecute terrorism, as defined in s. 775.30. (3)(a) The database shall include active criminal intelligence information and active criminal investigative information submitted by federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors and information that is available from other law enforcement databases. (b) The database shall be capable of performing data review and processing that may reveal patterns, trends, and correlations indicative of potential or actual terrorism activity within or affecting this state. (c) The department shall establish methods and parameters by which information and data are transferred to the department for inclusion in the database. Information developed in or through the use of the database shall be made available to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in a manner defined by the department and as allowed by state or federal law or rule. (4)(a) Information that is exempt from public disclosure under chapter 119 when in the possession of the intelligence center retains its exemption from public disclosure after such information is revealed to a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency or prosecutor, except as otherwise provided by law. (b) Information obtained by the intelligence center from a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency or prosecutor which is exempt from public disclosure under state or federal law when in the possession of a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency or prosecutor retains its exemption from public disclosure after such information is revealed to the intelligence center, except as otherwise provided by law. History. — s. 2, ch. 2001-366; s. 14, ch. 2017-37. 943.04 Criminal Justice Investigations and Forensic Science Program; creation; investigative, forensic, and related authority. (1) There is created a Criminal Justice Investigations and Forensic Science Program within the Department of Law Enforcement. The program shall be supervised by personnel who shall be employed by the department upon the recommendation of the executive director. Such personnel shall supervise, direct, coordinate, and administer activities of the program which are assigned by the executive director. (2)(a) In carrying out the investigative services of the Criminal Justice Investigations and Forensic Science Program and under appropriate rules and regulations adopted by the department, upon written order of the Governor, or by direction of the Legislature acting by a concurrent resolution, and at the direction of the executive director, the department may investigate violations of any of the criminal laws of the state, and shall have authority to bear arms, make arrests and apply for, serve and execute search warrants, arrest warrants, capias, and other process of the court. (b) Investigations may also be conducted in connection with the faithful execution and effective enforcement of the laws of the state with reference to organized crime, vice, racketeering, rioting, inciting to riot, and insurrection. (c) The department may also engage in such other investigative activities as will aid local law enforcement officers in preventing or solving crimes and controlling criminal activity. (d) All investigators employed by the department shall be considered law enforcement officers for all purposes. The executive director shall have the authority to designate the person occupying any appropriate position within the department as a law enforcement officer, if such person is qualified under the department’s personnel regulations relating to agents and is certified pursuant to s. 943.1395(1), and all persons thus employed by the department shall be considered law enforcement officers for all purposes and shall be entitled to the privileges, protection, and benefits of ss. 112.19, 121.051, 122.34, and 870.05. (3) Whenever it shall appear to the department that there is cause for the prosecution of a crime, the department shall refer the evidence of such crime to the officials authorized to conduct the prosecution. (4)(a) The department is authorized to establish regional violent crime investigation coordinating teams composed of persons including, but not limited to, forensic investigators and law enforcement officers from both state and local criminal justice agencies. The functions of a regional violent crime investigation coordinating team include: 1. Responding to violent crimes in a timely and comprehensive manner, utilizing analytic, forensic, investigative, and technical expertise and equipment to provide key support to local law enforcement agencies undertaking difficult violent crime investigations. 2. Facilitating communication and coordination among state and local criminal justice agencies, including facilitating and coordinating the use of state law enforcement resources for concentrated task force efforts in violent crime investigations constituting emergency situations within the region. (b) Upon the request of a sheriff, a police chief, or other appropriate law enforcement administrator, the executive director may deploy a regional violent crime investigation team to assist a law enforcement agency in a violent crime investigation. (5) In carrying out the services of the Criminal Justice Investigations and Forensic Science Program and under appropriate rules and regulations adopted by the department, the department may: (a) Adopt and recommend cooperative policies for coordinating the law enforcement work of all state, county, and municipal agencies that are responsible for law enforcement. (b) Assist local law enforcement agencies by providing consultation, research, and planning assistance, training, and field technical services and engage in other activities to aid local law enforcement officers in preventing and solving crimes and controlling criminal activity. (c) Provide forensic services to state, local, and other law enforcement agencies and criminal justice agencies and adopt policies, procedures, and standards for operating state-operated crime laboratories. (6)(a) In furtherance of the duties and responsibilities of the inspector general under s. 944.31, if the Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an investigation or assisting in the investigation of an injury to or death of an inmate which occurs while the inmate is under the custody or control of the Department of Corrections, the department is authorized to, before the initiation of a criminal proceeding relating to such injury or death, issue in writing and serve upon the Department of Corrections an investigative demand seeking the production of the inmate’s protected health information, medical records, or mental health records as specified in s. 945.10(1)(a). The department shall use such records for the limited purpose of investigating or assisting in an investigation of an injury to or death of an inmate for which the records were requested. Any records disclosed pursuant to this subsection remain confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution in accordance with s. 945.10(2). (b) The investigative demand must be specific and limited in scope to the extent reasonably practicable in light of the purpose for which the protected health information or records are sought and must include a certification that: 1. The protected health information or records sought are relevant and material to a legitimate law enforcement inquiry; 2. There is a clear connection between the investigated incident and the inmate whose protected health information and records are sought; and 3. Deidentified information could not reasonably be used. History. — s. 4, ch. 74-386; s. 5, ch. 76-247; s. 1, ch. 77-127; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 2, ch. 78-347; s. 34, ch. 79-8; s. 1, ch. 86-187; s. 2, ch. 89-3; s. 2, ch. 93-204; s. 2, ch. 94-215; s. 4, ch. 98-94; s. 9, ch. 2005-100; s. 1, ch. 2017-31. 943.041 Child Exploitation and Crimes Against Children Program. There is created the Child Exploitation and Crimes Against Children Program within the department. The program shall perform investigative, intelligence, research, and training activities related to child exploitation and other crimes against children. History. — s. 3, ch. 89-3; s. 9, ch. 94-265; s. 2, ch. 2025-83. 943.0411 Internet Crimes Against Children Grant Program for local law enforcement affiliates to protect children. (1) As used in this section, the term: (a) “Affiliate” means a local law enforcement agency in this state which has a current memorandum of understanding with an established Internet crimes against children task force or which has been designated by the department as being in good standing. (b) “Good standing” means a local law enforcement agency in this state that receives CyberTips from one of the task forces and follows Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program standards in its investigation of Internet crimes against children. (c) “Internet crimes against children task force” means an Internet crimes against children task force located in this state which is recognized by the United States Department of Justice. (2) There is created within the department the Internet Crimes Against Children Grant Program to award grants to local law enforcement affiliates to support their work to combat online child exploitation and to target individuals online preying upon children or attempting to do so. (3) The department shall annually award to local law enforcement affiliates any funds specifically appropriated for the grant program to cover expenses related to their work to combat Internet crimes against children. The funds may be awarded to cover overtime pay, travel, investigative or digital forensics training, hardware, or software. Grants must be provided to local law enforcement agencies if funds are appropriated for that purpose by law. The total amount of grants awarded may not exceed funding appropriated for the grant program. (4) The department may establish criteria and set specific time periods for the acceptance of applications and for the selection process for awarding grant funds. History. — s. 1, ch. 2024-72; s. 1, ch. 2026-96. 943.0412 Identity Theft and Fraud Grant Program. (1) There is created the Identity Theft and Fraud Grant Program within the department to award grants to support local law enforcement agencies in the investigation and enforcement of personal identification information theft and fraud. Grants shall be provided if funds are appropriated for that purpose by law. (2) Funds collected pursuant to s. 817.568(12)(a) and any funds specifically appropriated for the grant program shall be awarded annually by the department to local law enforcement agencies. The total amount of grants awarded may not exceed funding appropriated for the grant program. (3) The department may establish criteria and set specific time periods for the acceptance of applications and for the selection process for awards. History. — s. 5, ch. 2014-200. 943.0413 Critical Infrastructure Mapping Grant Program. (1)(a) Subject to legislative appropriation, the Critical Infrastructure Mapping Grant Program is created within the department to support the ongoing assessment of this state’s vulnerability to, and ability to detect, prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from, acts of terrorism within or affecting this state. (b) The state, or any law enforcement agency, county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state, or any agent thereof, which has constitutional or statutory authority to employ or appoint law enforcement officers is eligible to receive funding from the grant program to map critical infrastructure locations that meet the requirements of this section. (2) Grant funds may be used to map critical infrastructure as defined in s. 812.141, public gathering places, places of worship, and any other location for which a map would be deemed of high value for facilitating an emergency response. (3) Each map of such locations must be created in an electronic or digital format and must be provided to all local, state, and federal responding agencies that request such maps for use in responding to emergencies. Each map must satisfy all of the following requirements: (a) Be compatible with and integrate into the department’s statewide database and be compatible with software platforms used by local, state, and federal public safety agencies that provide emergency services to the specific location for which the data is provided without requiring such agencies to purchase additional software or requiring a fee to view or access the data. (b) Be in a printable format and, if requested, be in a digital file format that can be integrated into interactive mobile platforms currently in use. (c) Be verified for accuracy, which must include a walk-through of a building or grounds. (d) Be oriented to true north. (e) Be overlaid on current aerial imagery. (f) Contain site-specific labeling that matches the structure of the building, including, but not limited to, room labels, hallway names, and external door or stairwell numbers and locations of hazards, critical utility locations, key boxes, automated external defibrillators, and trauma kits. (g) Contain site-specific labeling that matches the grounds, including, but not limited to, parking areas, surrounding roads, and neighboring properties. (h) Be overlaid with gridded x and y coordinates. (4) The department may adopt rules to administer this section. History. — s. 10, ch. 2025-176. 943.0415 Cybercrime Office. There is created within the Department of Law Enforcement the Cybercrime Office. The office may: (1) Investigate violations of state law pertaining to the sexual exploitation of children which are facilitated by or connected to the use of any device capable of storing electronic data. (2) Monitor state information technology resources and provide analysis on information technology security incidents, threats, and breaches as defined in s. 282.0041. (3) Investigate violations of state law pertaining to information technology security incidents pursuant to s. 282.0041 and assist in incident response and recovery. (4) Provide security awareness training and information to state agency employees concerning cybersecurity, online sexual exploitation of children, and security risks, and the responsibility of employees to comply with policies, standards, guidelines, and operating procedures adopted by t