Moody thanks lawmakers for ‘stronger, safer’ Florida after legislative session

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody thanked Florida lawmakers as the 2023 Legislative Session ended for passing several measures aimed to enhance public safety.

“This legislative session is one for the record books,” Moody said.

“We worked hard with our great legislative leaders to pass important public-safety bills that protect human trafficking survivors, punish illicit fentanyl dealers, strengthen bond laws and help allocate the more than $3 billion we secured through our historic opioid litigation,” she said.

She thanked lawmakers for passing legislation she believes will build a “stronger, safer” Florida.

Moody joined Gov. Ron DeSantis Monday to sign an anti-crime legislative package. One of the new laws is a bill focusing on pretrial release. It helps protect Floridians by keeping violent and repeat offenders behind bars before seeing a judge.

Another bill signed Monday increases penalties for fentanyl traffickers. The law creates a new first-degree felony for those selling fentanyl in food or candy products and sets a 25-year minimum mandatory sentence, plus a $1 million fine, for anyone selling the drug packaged as a food or candy product to minors.

Moody supported measures that would better protect human trafficking survivors in adult safe homes. The legislation creates a certification process for these facilities, making a standard for all safe houses across Florida to follow.

She also advocated for a bill to help the state fight to end the opioid crisis. Legislation will be signed into law that creates a statewide council to make recommendations about allocating the more than $3 billion recovered from Florida’s historic opioid agreements.

“I want to thank House Speaker Renner, Senate President Passidomo and every member who voted in favor of these important measures that will help us build a stronger, safer Florida,” Moody said.