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HB 477

Drug Paraphernalia

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Doug Bankson and 5 co-sponsors

HB 477 modifies Florida drug paraphernalia statutes; currently in committee with undefined policy scope pending detailed bill text.

Chapter No. 2026-157
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Bill Summary · HB 477

Legislative bill overview

HB 477 modifies Florida's drug paraphernalia laws, though the specific provisions are not detailed in publicly available summaries at this stage. The bill was filed on November 19, 2025, and is currently in the Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Given its referral to both criminal justice and judiciary committees, it likely addresses penalties, definitions, or enforcement mechanisms related to drug-related items.

Why this is important

Drug paraphernalia laws affect law enforcement practices, criminal penalties, and how states balance drug prevention with practical harm reduction approaches. Changes to these statutes can influence arrest rates, sentencing severity, and the scope of what constitutes criminal behavior versus public health concerns.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition scope: Whether the bill expands or narrows what counts as paraphernalia, potentially capturing everyday items or harm-reduction tools like syringes or pipes
  • Penalty structures: Changes to criminal classifications or sentencing guidelines that could increase or decrease consequences for possession or distribution
  • Harm reduction vs. enforcement: Tension between public health approaches (like syringe access programs) and traditional criminal justice frameworks for drug-related offenses

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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