TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill into law Monday.
The new measure requires at least 10 out of 12 jurors recommend death for it to be carried out. Previously, the majority of jurors had to recommend death.
"It is my solemn duty to uphold the laws of Florida and my foremost concern is always for the victims and their loved ones. I hope this legislation will allow families of these horrific crimes to get the closure they deserve,” said Governor Scott.
In January, The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Florida’s death penalty law was unconstitutional. The justices determined the law allowed judges to reach a different decision than juries.
"(The) only thing you got from a jury was a vote that recommended death or life imprisonment," WFTV legal analyst Belvin Perry said.
The new law allows the jury to decide and prohibits judges from imposing the death penalty if the jury doesn’t recommend it.
The Florida Supreme Court will decide how the new law will affect previous cases.