TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Bills that would require people to be arrested before police can seize their cars, money, homes or other property is ready for votes in the Florida House and Senate.
The Senate bill was approved unanimously by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee on Monday. It was the last stop before going to the Senate floor. A similar House bill was approved by its final committee last week.
The bill (SB 1044) is designed to prevent abuses of the current law, which doesn't require an arrest before property is seized, but rather law enforcement's belief that it was likely used in a crime.
The bill was opposed by Florida law enforcement representatives until a compromise that removed language that would have also required a conviction before law enforcement could keep seized property.
