Florida senator introduces bill aimed at protecting military service members from squatters

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers in Washington are considering a new bill that would crack down on squatters illegally living in the homes of U.S. military servicemen and women.

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U.S. Senator Ashley Moody (R-Florida) introduced the Servicemember Residence Protection Act. The legislation would ensure state and local protections for those illegally living on a property, often referred to as “squatters rights” would not apply if the property was owned by a member of the armed forces.

Legal protections for squatters, those who occupy a property without the owner’s permission, vary greatly from state to state. However, property owners can be dragged through lengthy and expensive legal fights before an eviction can be secured.

In recent years, state lawmakers in Florida have taken steps to crackdown on squatting. In an interview with Local 10, Moody said the Senate bill would go further to ensure the homes of service men and women are protected when they are deployed.

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“This would protect our servicemen and women across the nation, no matter where their home is,” Moody said. “And make sure that when they return from service or another duty station would never count towards any time that would establish any sort of squatters rights.”

In recent years, there have been several documented cases of squatters illegally moving onto the property of service members during deployment. In 2025, 11 people were arrested for allegedly squatting on a property in Polk County that belonged to a member of the U.S. Airforce. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the squatters allegedly caused damage to the home, sold the homeowner’s belongings, and used drugs on the property.

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A version of the bill passed the House last year.