UPDATE: The Florida Senate on Thursday passed a controversial bill aimed at curbing violent protests in the state by a vote of 23-17. 

The Combatting Violence, Disorder and Looting and Law Enforcement Protection Act now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis' desk for his signature.

ORIGINAL STORY:

STATEWIDE — A Florida legislative bill that would increase penalties against protesters deemed to be violent has advanced out of a Senate committee and reached the Senate floor.

What You Need To Know

  • The Florida Senate is debating bill that imposes penalties during some protests

  • If approved, the measure would be sent to Governor Ron DeSantis for his signature

  • DeSantis says it's needed to protect order and property during protests

  • Critics say it would restrict protesters' right to free speech

If approved by the Senate with any amendments, it would head to DeSantis’s desk for his signature. He had made passage of the bill a key legislative priority.

House Bill 1, known as “The Combating Violence, Disorder, and Looting and Law Enforcement Act,” has become perhaps the most controversial measure before the Florida Legislature this session.

It would toughen penalties for crimes that occur during protests that turn violent.

Adding to that, city and county governments could be held financially liable for damages if they failed to control protests that get out of hand.

The legislation calls for a mandatory six-month prison sentence for anyone convicted of battery on a police office during a protest and for fines and possibly up to five years behind bars for anyone convicted of causing harm to a law enforcement officer or damaging property.

The “anti-riot” bill is a response to the several Black Lives Matter protests across Florida last year that turned violent. DeSantis has said the state’s laws need to be strengthened to preserve order and to try to keep protesters from destroying property.

Floridians who have testified against the bill argue that it is a direct attack on free speech.