(1) An electronic monitoring pilot program is established in Pinellas County beginning on July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2028.
(2) For an offense committed on or after July 1, 2026, if a person who is 18 years of age or older is found guilty of, has adjudication withheld on, or pleads nolo contendere to a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence as defined in s. 741.28, a violation of an injunction for protection against domestic violence under s. 741.31, or a violation of an injunction for protection against sexual violence or dating violence under s. 784.047, and a court enters a no contact order with the victim as a condition of the person’s probation, the court in the participating county:(a) May order the person to have electronic monitoring supervision as a condition of his or her probation.
(b) Must order the person to have electronic monitoring supervision as a condition of his or her probation if the court finds that there is clear and convincing evidence that the defendant poses a threat of violence or physical harm to the victim. In making such determination, the court must consider whether the defendant has previously been convicted for violating an injunction for protection against domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, or stalking.
(3) The sheriff in Pinellas County, in consultation with the chief judge of the judicial circuit, the state attorney, and the public defender, shall design and implement the electronic monitoring pilot program established under this section. The pilot program must comply with the following:(a) Notwithstanding any other law, the sheriff shall manage the electronic monitoring supervision of all persons ordered to such supervision under this section. Any other terms and conditions of a person’s probation shall be managed in accordance with current law.
(b) A person designated by the sheriff must meet with any person ordered to electronic monitoring 1supervision under this section, and he or she must explain the conditions of electronic monitoring supervision, including identifying prohibited locations, and the consequences for noncompliance with such conditions. (c) A person ordered to electronic monitoring supervision under this section must pay the costs for such supervision. The sheriff, at his or her discretion, may reduce or waive the costs of electronic monitoring supervision.
(d) A court may not order electronic monitoring supervision in lieu of any other mandatory term or condition of probation, including participation in a batterers’ intervention program required under s. 741.281. (e) The sheriff must specify a procedure by which a person ordered to electronic monitoring supervision under this section may petition a court to remove such order, including terminating the order, if the person establishes a permanent residence in another state.
(4) The sheriff in Pinellas County must complete an evaluation of the pilot program’s effectiveness and provide to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives an initial report by March 1, 2027, a subsequent report by January 1, 2028, and a final report by September 1, 2028. Each report must include all of the following information:(a) The number of persons placed on electronic monitoring supervision.
(b) The number of violations of electronic monitoring supervision, including the reason for each violation.
(c) The cost of providing electronic monitoring supervision and how much money the sheriff received to pay for such supervision.
(d) Recommendations on how to improve the efficacy of the pilot program and any difficulties with implementing the pilot program.
(e) Any other relevant information.
(5) An order requiring electronic monitoring supervision must terminate by June 30, 2028.
(6) This section is repealed July 1, 2028.
