A Florida Senate Judiciary Committee acting chair and senators on the panel on the floor unanimously approved Senate Bill 1168, which creates a new aggravated offense and increases penalties for installing or using tracking devices or applications when done to further a dangerous crime.

Senator Tom Leake, sponsor of SB 1168, told the committee the bill would add an aggravated crime in section 934.425 and raise the penalty from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony when the tracking conduct is done in furtherance of a dangerous crime defined under section 907.0415(a). "A third degree felony is punishable by up to 5 years in prison," Leake said, "A second degree felony is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. It is critical that we establish a deterrence to those who would utilize these technologies in furtherance of committing crimes, which do real harm to our citizens."

The bill was discussed briefly; no written public appearance cards were filed. Leake waived closing remarks. Tory, the committee clerk, called the roll and recorded unanimous support; the chair announced the bill passed on a unanimous vote.

Why it matters: the measure elevates penalties for covert use of location-tracking tools when tied to violent or otherwise dangerous offenses, and it explicitly ties the aggravated classification to the statutory definition of "dangerous crime." The committee did not broaden the bill beyond that linkage or add additional qualifying elements during floor discussion.

The committee recorded no public testimony in opposition or substantive amendments during the presentation. The bill moves forward from the committee with a favorable report.