TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Florida Rep. Bernie Jacks (R-Seminole) proposed a bill Tuesday that would make victims of “illegal immigration crimes” and their loved ones eligible for financial compensation.
If passed, HB 229, the Shane Jones Act, would impose a $10,000 fine on law enforcement agencies that “fail to enforce and comply with existing state immigration laws that require law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement officers.”
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The bill further states that the fines collected will be used to compensate victims of crimes illegally committed by suspects in the country.
In February, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 2C, which prohibits local law enforcement from interfering with or restricting federal employees’ duties.
The Florida Sheriff’s Association subsequently announced that all 67 counties in the state had signed up to the 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement agencies to take on some immigration duties.
According to Florida Statute 908.11, only county sheriffs are required to sign the agreement, but hundreds of cities and municipalities across the state are encouraged to sign as well.
The bill, also known as the Shane Jones Act, is named after a man who died in a 2019 car crash, which Jack said was caused by “an illegal alien who had been arrested multiple times for driving violations.”
Jones was an Air Force veteran and father of two, and his wife, Nikki Jones, said his death had left their family in a difficult financial situation.
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Nikki Jones founded The Voice Foundation after his death. The foundation’s website says its mission is to “help provide assistance to survivors of illegal crimes committed by aliens.”
The bill also creates an avenue for the estates of people killed by immigrants to sue local law enforcement or local governments if they are found to have violated Statutes 908.11 or 908.103. Statute 908.103 prohibits all local government agencies and local police departments from enacting sanctuary policies.
The Florida Legislature is currently in recess, so the bill will not be debated or voted on until lawmakers return in January. If passed, it will come into effect on July 1, 2026.
