TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement on Governor DeSantis signing House Bill 31, Firefighter inquires and investigations. The Firefighter Bill of Rights grants firefighters legal protections while under formal investigation for alleged misconduct. This legislation extends many of those protections to firefighters while under informal investigation.

 

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “As Florida’s State Fire Marshal, I was honored to champion House Bill 31 on behalf of Florida’s firefighters. Thank you to Governor DeSantis for signing this important piece of legislation and to Senator Hooper and Representative Busatta-Cabrera for ensuring that Florida will now provide better legal safeguards for our firefighters. This bill will ensure our first responders rights are protected and that these men and women will be treated fairly under the law.”

 

Senator Hooper said, “Thank you to Governor DeSantis for your signing this bill and to CFO Patronis for your steadfast support of Florida’s firefighters. HB 31 will provide much needed legal protections that these brave men and women are due and I was proud to fight for our first responders this, and every, legislative session.”

 

Representative Busatta Cabrera said, “It was an honor to sponsor this bill in the Florida House and to see it not only pass the legislature by unanimous vote, but to be signed by Governor DeSantis as well. Thank you to CFO Jimmy Patronis for your leadership as State Fire Marshal and support in each committee stop! This commonsense legislation gives Florida’s firefighters the rights they deserve.”