This week Representative Dianne Hart’s (D-Tampa) bill HB 1045, which creates a certified peer specialist pilot program in the Florida Department of Corrections, was sent to Governor DeSantis for his signature. The Governor can sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without signature.
This bill allows those who complete this specified program to be certified to help other incarcerated individuals overcome substance abuse without being held back due to background challenges, and have a chance at gainful employment after release.
Representative Hart issued the following statement:
“This is an important piece of legislation and I am looking forward to it becoming law soon. You cannot teach what you do not know, and this will allow those who have overcome substance abuse to work within the correctional system to make sure that when individuals are released they have the tools and skills to succeed. Everyone is deserving of a second chance and this new law will help to get us one step closer to that goal.”
