Title: Soldiers' and Heroes' Monuments and Memorials Protection Act

Summary: Citing this act as the "Soldiers' and Heroes' Monuments and Memorials Protection Act"; providing criminal penalties for criminal mischief that causes damage to certain remembrances erected to honor or commemorate a soldier, a historical military figure, a military organization, a military unit, a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, or an astronaut, etc.

Full Text:
An act relating to a Soldiers  and Heroes  Monuments and Memorials Protection Act; providing a short title; amending s. 806.13, F.S.; providing criminal penalties for criminal mischief that causes damage to certain remembrances erected to honor or commemorate a soldier, a historical military figure, a military organization, a military unit, a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, or an astronaut; defining the term  remembrance ; conforming a cross-reference; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1.  This act may be cited as the  Soldiers  and Heroes  Monuments and Memorials Protection Act.  Section 2. Present subsections (5) through (9) of section 806.13, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (6) through (10), respectively, present subsection (8) is amended, and a new subsection (5) is added to that section, to read: 806.13 Criminal mischief; penalties; penalty for minor.  (5) (a)   A person may not willfully and maliciously damage or deface by any means a remembrance that is owned by a government al entity or museum, a historical society, or a similar organization or that is located in a cemetery or on a grave or tomb. As used in this subsection, the term  remembrance  means an exhibit; artwork, including a painting, a stained glass work, or a statue; a monument; a memorial; a nameplate; a historical marker; a symbol, including a religious symbol; a tombstone; a plaque; a historic al flag display; a fountain; or a similar object that was made to honor or commemorate: 1. A soldier or military figure who served or more of the original colonies,the United States,or a territory that became part of the United States; 2. A military organization or military unit of or more of the original colonies, the United States, or a territory that became part of the United States;or 3. A law enforcement officer, a firefighter, or an astronaut serving the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (b)  A person who violates this subsection commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (9) (8)  A minor whose driver license or driving privilege is revoked, suspended, or withheld under subsection (8) (7) may elect to reduce the period of revocation, suspension, or withholding by performing community service at the rate of day for each hour of community service performed. In addition, if the court determines that due to a family hardship, the minor s driver license or driving privilege is necessary for employment or medical purposes of the minor or a member of the minor s family, the court shall order the minor to perform community service and reduce the period of revocation, suspension, or withholding at the rate of day for each hour of community service performed. As used in this subsection, the term  community service  means cleaning graffiti from public property. Section 3. This act shall take effect October 1, 2017.