With encouragement from FADP and our partners in the mental health community, Rep. Vance Aloupis, (R-Miami) introduced the House version of the bill to exempt persons with serious mental illness from the death penalty.
HB1251: Serious Mental Illness as Bar to Sentence of Death; “Prohibits imposition of sentence of death if the defendant had serious mental illness at time of offense.”
The importance of this milestone can’t be overstated. Rep. Aloupis joins Senator Jeff Brandes – both Republicans – in championing the issue in the Florida Legislature.
I can feel the winds shifting in Tallahassee already.
We will be in touch soon with important next steps so get ready to make history together as we put Florida on the path to abolition!
For now, please join us in thanking Rep. Aloupis for his leadership, which will send a clear signal to the entire legislature that the SMI bill enjoys broad public support. Reach him at Vance.Aloupis@myfloridahouse.gov and please simply thank him for his leadership on “protecting persons with serious mental illness from the death penalty.”
Onward!