Florida S536: Criteria for Determining Criminal Gang Membership

What the bill says

An act relating to criteria for determining criminal gang membership; amending s. 874.03, F.S.; revising the definition of the term “criminal gang member”; defining the term “gang-related language”; reenacting ss. 823.05(2)(a), 921.141(6)(n), and 951.23(11), F.S., all relating to the definition of the term “criminal gang member,” to incorporate the amendment made to s. 874.03, F.S., in references thereto; providing an effective date.

From the introduced text, February 26, 2026:

A bill to be entitled An act relating to criteria for determining criminal gang membership; amending s. 874.03, F.S.; revising the definition of the term “criminal gang member”; defining the term “gang-related language”; reenacting ss. 823.05(2)(a), 921.141(6)(n), and 951.23(11), F.S., all relating to the definition of the term “criminal gang member,” to incorporate the amendment made to s. 874.03, F.S., in references thereto; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Present subsections (6), (7), and (8) of section 874.03, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (7), (8), and (9), respectively, a new subsection (6) is added to that section, and subsection (3) of that section is amended, to read: 874.03 Definitions.—As used in this chapter: (3) “Criminal gang member” means [DELETED: is] a person who meets two or more of the following criteria: (a) Admits in person or on an online platform or social media that he or she is a criminal gang member. (b) [DELETED: (a)]  Is identified or claimed by a [DELETED: Admits to] criminal gang as one of its members [DELETED: membership] . (c) [DELETED: (b)]  Is identified as a criminal gang member by a parent, [DELETED: or] guardian, or spouse living with the person. (d) [DELETED: (c)]  Is identified as a criminal gang member by a documented reliable informant. (e) …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Justice, Criminal (I) · primary sponsor
• Criminal Justice · primary sponsor
• Martin, Jonathan (R, SD-033) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. March 10, 2026: Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 429 (Ch. 2026-156) -SJ 742
2. March 10, 2026: Substituted CS/HB 429 -SJ 742
3. March 10, 2026: Read 2nd time -SJ 742
4. March 5, 2026: Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/10/26
5. March 3, 2026: Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
6. March 2, 2026: Favorable by- Fiscal Policy; YEAS 12 NAYS 6
7. February 26, 2026: CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice read 1st time
8. February 26, 2026: On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 03/02/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
9. February 26, 2026: Now in Fiscal Policy
10. February 26, 2026: Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

Votes

• Senate: S 536 c2 (March 2, 2026): 12 yea, 6 nay, passed
• Senate: S 536 c1 (February 25, 2026): 5 yea, 3 nay, passed
• Senate: S 536 Filed (January 12, 2026): 6 yea, 2 nay, passed

Common questions

What is S536?

S536 is a bill in the Florida Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Criteria for Determining Criminal Gang Membership.

What does S536 do?

In its own words: An act relating to criteria for determining criminal gang membership; amending s. 874.03, F.S.; revising the definition of the term “criminal gang member”; defining the term “gang-related language”; reenacting ss. 823.05(2)(a), 921.141(6)(n), and 951.23(11), F.S., all relating to the definition of the term “criminal gang member,” to incorporate the amendment made to s. 874.03, F.S., in references thereto; providing an effective date.

What is the status of S536?

Passed one chamber as of March 10, 2026. Latest action: Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 429 (Ch. 2026-156) -SJ 742 (March 10, 2026).

Who sponsored S536?

Justice, Criminal (I), with 2 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for S536?

On the Florida Legislature website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/536