SB 442 Florida Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Search Warrants

Summary

Search Warrants; Authorizing a search warrant to be issued to recover a deceased body; revising the time within which certain search warrants must be returned to the court; providing that a judge may authorize a law enforcement officer applying for a search warrant to appear remotely; providing that a judge may authorize a law enforcement officer applying for a search warrant or court order to appear remotely, etc.

Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Mar 4, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S 442 Filed → S 442 c1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill expanded the scope of search warrant authority to include recovering deceased bodies and authorized law enforcement to use drones for searches with a judge's approval. It also updated return deadlines for digital evidence, allowing 45 days for devices held by police (up from 10 days) and 365 days for remote providers, while clarifying that seizure within 10 days allows for later data analysis. Additionally, the bill permits law enforcement officers to appear remotely via video technology when applying for warrants.

Scope change

The bill broadened the application of search warrants to include deceased bodies and introduced new provisions for drone usage and remote appearances, while extending the time limits for returning warrants involving digital devices.

SCOPE

Added authority to issue search warrants specifically for the purpose of recovering deceased bodies.

ENFORCEMENT

Authorized law enforcement agencies to obtain warrants to use drones for searching areas where evidence might be found.

TIMELINE

Extended the return deadline for search warrants involving computers or electronic devices held by law enforcement from 10 days to 45 days, and set a 365-day limit for remote providers.

REQUIREMENT

Specified that if a digital device is seized within 10 days of the warrant, the agency does not need to complete data analysis within the return deadline.

Permitted judges to authorize law enforcement officers to appear remotely using audio-video technology when applying for warrants.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

24–0

Passed

Total votes 24

Feb 17, 2026

D Democratic5

5 Yea

100% Yea

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican18

18 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (24-0)

senate

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/17/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable by Judiciary; YEAS 11 NAYS 0

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Judiciary, 02/10/26, 12:00 pm, 110 Senate Building

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable by Criminal Justice; YEAS 8 NAYS 0

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Criminal Justice, 01/26/26, 3:30 pm, 37 Senate Building

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

upper

Dec 1, 2025

Committee

Referred to Criminal Justice; Judiciary; Rules

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors