Florida 2022 Regular Session

Florida House Bill H0985 Compare Versions

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1010 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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1414 A bill to be entitled 1
1515 An act relating to sovereign immunity; amending s. 2
1616 768.28, F.S.; revising the statutory limits on 3
1717 liability for tort claims against the state and its 4
18-agencies and subdivisions; revising requirements for a 5
19-government entity to settle a claim or judgment; 6
20-revising the timeframe within which the appropriate 7
21-agency must make final disposition of a claim after it 8
22-is filed to prevent the claim from being deemed 9
23-denied; revising exceptions relating to instituting 10
24-actions on claims against the state or one of its 11
25-agencies and to the statute of limitations for such 12
26-claims; reenacting ss. 45.061, 110.504, 111.071, 13
27-163.01, 190.043, 213.015, 252.51, 252.89, 252.944, 14
28-260.0125, 284.31, 284.38, 322.13, 337.19, 341.302, 15
29-373.1395, 375.251, 381.0056, 393.075, 395.1055, 16
30-403.706, 409.993, 455.221, 455.32, 456.009, 456.076, 17
31-471.038, 472.006, 497.167, 513.118, 548.046, 556.106, 18
32-589.19, 723.0611, 760.11, 766.1115, 766.112, 768.1355, 19
33-768.295, 944.713, 946.5026, 946.514, 961.06, 1002.33, 20
34-1002.333, 1002.34, 1002.55, 1002.83, 1002.88, 1006.24, 21
35-and 1006.261, F.S., to incorporate the amendments made 22
36-to s. 768.28, F.S., in references thereto; providing 23
37-applicability; providing an effective date . 24
38- 25
39-
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47-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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51-Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 26
52- 27
53- Section 1. Subsection (5), paragraphs (a) and (d) of 28
54-subsection (6), and subsection (14) of section 768.28, Florida 29
55-Statutes, are amended to read: 30
56- 768.28 Waiver of sovereign immunity i n tort actions; 31
57-recovery limits; civil liability for damages caused during a 32
58-riot; limitation on attorney fees; statute of limitations; 33
59-exclusions; indemnification; risk management programs. — 34
60- (5)(a) The state and its agencies and subdivisions shall 35
61-be liable for tort claims in the same manner and to the same 36
62-extent as a private individual under like circumstances, but 37
63-liability shall not include punitive damages or interest for the 38
64-period before judgment. Neither the state nor its agencies or 39
65-subdivisions shall be liable to pay a claim or a judgment by any 40
66-one person which exceeds the sum of $400,000; $200,000 or any 41
67-claim or judgment, or portions thereof, which, when totaled with 42
68-all other claims or judgments paid by the state or its agencies 43
69-or subdivisions arising out of the same incident or occurrence, 44
70-exceeds the sum of $600,000 $300,000. However, a judgment or 45
71-judgments may be claimed and rendered in excess of these amounts 46
72-and may be settled and paid pursuant to this section act up to 47
73-$400,000 $200,000 or $600,000, as applicable. The $300,000, as 48
74-the case may be; and that portion of the judgment that exceeds 49
75-these amounts may be reported to the Legislature , and but may be 50
76-
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84-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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88-paid in part or in whole only by further act of the Legislature. 51
89- (b) Notwithstanding the limited waiver of sovereign 52
90-immunity provided in paragraph (a), herein, the state or an 53
91-agency or a subdivision of the state thereof may agree, within 54
92-the limits of insurance coverage provided, to settle a claim 55
93-made or a judgment rendered again st it in excess of the waiver 56
94-provided in paragraph (a) without further action by the 57
95-Legislature., but The state or an agency or a subdivision 58
96-thereof may shall not be deemed to have waived any defense of 59
97-sovereign immunity or to have increased the limits of its 60
98-liability as a result of its obtaining insurance coverage for 61
99-tortious acts in excess of the $200,000 or $300,000 waiver 62
100-provided in paragraph (a) above. 63
101- (c) The limitations of liability set forth in this 64
102-subsection shall apply to the state and i ts agencies and 65
103-subdivisions whether or not the state or its agencies or 66
104-subdivisions possessed sovereign immunity before July 1, 1974. 67
105- (d)(b) A municipality has a duty to allow the municipal 68
106-law enforcement agency to respond appropriately to protect 69
107-persons and property during a riot or an unlawful assembly based 70
108-on the availability of adequate equipment to its municipal law 71
109-enforcement officers and relevant state and federal laws. If the 72
110-governing body of a municipality or a person authorized by the 73
111-governing body of the municipality breaches that duty, the 74
112-municipality is civilly liable for any damages, including 75
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121-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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123-
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125-damages arising from personal injury, wrongful death, or 76
126-property damages proximately caused by the municipality's breach 77
127-of duty. The sovereign immunity recovery limits in paragraph (a) 78
128-do not apply to an action under this paragraph. 79
129- (6)(a) An action may not be instituted on a clai m against 80
130-the state or one of its agencies or subdivisions unless the 81
131-claimant presents the claim in writing to the appropriate 82
132-agency, and also, except as to any claim against a municipality, 83
133-county, or the Florida Space Authority, presents such claim in 84
134-writing to the Department of Financial Services, within 3 years 85
135-after such claim accrues and the Department of Financial 86
136-Services or the appropriate agency denies the claim in writing; 87
137-except that, if: 88
138- 1. Such claim is for contribution pursuant to s. 768 .31, 89
139-it must be so presented within 6 months after the judgment 90
140-against the tortfeasor seeking contribution has become final by 91
141-lapse of time for appeal or after appellate review or, if there 92
142-is no such judgment, within 6 months after the tortfeasor 93
143-seeking contribution has either discharged the common liability 94
144-by payment or agreed, while the action is pending against her or 95
145-him, to discharge the common liability; or 96
146- 2. Such action is for wrongful death, the claimant must 97
147-present the claim in writing to the Department of Financial 98
148-Services within 2 years after the claim accrues ; or 99
149- 3. Such action arises from a violation of s. 794.011 100
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158-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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160-
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162-involving a victim who was younger than the age of 16 at the 101
163-time of the act, the claimant may present the claim in writi ng 102
164-at any time pursuant to s. 95.11(9). T his subparagraph applies 103
165-to a claim accruing at any time but shall also be construed in 104
166-accordance with s. 95.11(9) to apply only to claims which would 105
167-not have been time barred on or before July 1, 2010 . 106
168- (d) For purposes of this section, complete, accurate, and 107
169-timely compliance with the requirements of paragraph (c) shall 108
170-occur prior to settlement payment, close of discovery or 109
171-commencement of trial, whichever is sooner; provided the ability 110
172-to plead setoff is not precluded by the delay. This setoff shall 111
173-apply only against that part of the settlement or judgment 112
174-payable to the claimant, minus claimant's reasonable attorney's 113
175-fees and costs. Incomplete or inaccurate disclosure of unpaid 114
176-adjudicated claims due the state, its agency, officer, or 115
177-subdivision, may be excused by the court upon a showing by the 116
178-preponderance of the evidence of the claimant's lack of 117
179-knowledge of an adjudicated claim and reasonable inquiry by, or 118
180-on behalf of, the claimant to obt ain the information from public 119
181-records. Unless the appropriate agency had actual notice of the 120
182-information required to be disclosed by paragraph (c) in time to 121
183-assert a setoff, an unexcused failure to disclose shall, upon 122
184-hearing and order of court, cause the claimant to be liable for 123
185-double the original undisclosed judgment and, upon further 124
186-motion, the court shall enter judgment for the agency in that 125
187-
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195-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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199-amount. Except as provided otherwise in this subsection, the 126
200-failure of the Department of Financial Serv ices or the 127
201-appropriate agency to make final disposition of a claim within 3 128
202-6 months after it is filed shall be deemed a final denial of the 129
203-claim for purposes of this section. For purposes of this 130
204-subsection, in medical malpractice actions and in wrongfu l death 131
205-actions, the failure of the Department of Financial Services or 132
206-the appropriate agency to make final disposition of a claim 133
207-within 90 days after it is filed shall be deemed a final denial 134
208-of the claim. The statute of limitations for medical malprac tice 135
209-actions and wrongful death actions is tolled for the period of 136
210-time taken by the Department of Financial Services or the 137
211-appropriate agency to deny the claim. The provisions of this 138
212-subsection do not apply to such claims as may be asserted by 139
213-counterclaim pursuant to s. 768.14. 140
214- (14) Every claim against the state or one of its agencies 141
215-or subdivisions for damages for a negligent or wrongful act or 142
216-omission pursuant to this section shall be forever barred unless 143
217-the civil action is commenced by filing a complaint in the court 144
218-of appropriate jurisdiction within 4 years after such claim 145
219-accrues; except that : 146
220- (a) An action for contribution must be commenced within 147
221-the limitations provided in s. 768.31(4) ;, and 148
222- (b) An action for damages arising from med ical malpractice 149
223-or wrongful death must be commenced within the limitations for 150
224-
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232-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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234-
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236-such actions in s. 95.11(4) ; and 151
237- (c) An action arising from any act constituting a 152
238-violation of s. 794.011 involving a victim who was younger than 153
239-the age of 16 at the time o f the act may be commenced at any 154
240-time pursuant to s. 95.11(9). This paragraph applies to a claim 155
241-accruing at any time as long as such claim would not have been 156
242-time barred on or before July 1, 2010, under s. 95.11(9) . 157
243- Section 2. Sections 45.061, 110.5 04, 111.071, 163.01, 158
244-190.043, 213.015, 252.51, 252.89, 252.944, 260.0125, 284.31, 159
245-284.38, 322.13, 337.19, 341.302, 373.1395, 375.251, 381.0056, 160
246-393.075, 395.1055, 403.706, 409.993, 455.221, 455.32, 456.009, 161
247-456.076, 471.038, 472.006, 497.167, 513.118, 548. 046, 556.106, 162
248-589.19, 723.0611, 760.11, 766.1115, 766.112, 768.1355, 768.295, 163
249-944.713, 946.5026, 946.514, 961.06, 1002.33, 1002.333, 1002.34, 164
250-1002.55, 1002.83, 1002.88, 1006.24, and 1006.261, Florida 165
251-Statutes, are reenacted for the purpose of incorporating the 166
252-amendments made by this act to s. 768.28, Florida Statutes, in 167
253-references thereto. 168
254- Section 3. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, 169
255-this act applies to claims accruing on or after October 1, 2023. 170
256- Section 4. This act shall take effect October 1, 2023. 171
18+agencies and subdivisions; revising requirements for 5
19+the state or an agency or a subdivision of the state 6
20+to agree to settle a claim or judgment; prohibiting an 7
21+insurance policy from conditioning the payment of 8
22+benefits on the enactment of a claim bill; specifying 9
23+that the limitations in effect on the date a final 10
24+judgment is entered apply to that claim; requi ring the 11
25+Department of Financial Services to adjust the 12
26+limitations on tort liability every year beginning on 13
27+a specified date; revising the timeframe within which 14
28+the appropriate agency must make final disposition of 15
29+a claim after it is filed to prevent t he claim from 16
30+being deemed denied; revising exceptions relating to 17
31+instituting actions on claims against the state or one 18
32+of its agencies and to the statute of limitations for 19
33+such claims; reenacting ss. 45.061(5), 110.504(4), 20
34+111.071(1)(a), 163.01(15)(k), 190.043, 213.015(13), 21
35+252.51, 252.89, 252.944, 260.0125(2), 284.31, 284.38, 22
36+322.13(1)(b), 337.19(1), 341.302(17), 373.1395(6), 23
37+375.251(3)(a), 381.0056(9), 393.075(3), 24
38+395.1055(10)(g), 403.706(17)(c), 409.993(1), (2)(a), 25
39+
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47+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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49+
50+
51+and (3)(a), 455.221(3), 455.32(5), 456.009(3), 26
52+456.076(15)(a), 471.038(3), 472.006(11)(b), 27
53+497.167(7), 513.118(2), 548.046(1), 556.106(8), 28
54+589.19(4)(e), 723.0611(2)(c), 760.11(5), 766.1115(5), 29
55+766.112(2), 768.1355(3), 768.295(4), 944.713(2), 30
56+946.5026, 946.514(3), 961.06(5), (6), and (7), 31
57+1002.33(12)(h), 1002.333(6)(b), 1002.34(17), 32
58+1002.55(3)(l), 1002.83(10), 1002.88(1)(p), 1006.24(1), 33
59+and 1006.261(2)(b), F.S., to incorporate the 34
60+amendments made to s. 768.28, F.S., in references 35
61+thereto; providing an effective date. 36
62+ 37
63+Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 38
64+ 39
65+ Section 1. Subsection (5), paragraphs (a) and (d) of 40
66+subsection (6), and subsection (14) of section 768.28, Florida 41
67+Statutes, are amended to read: 42
68+ 768.28 Waiver of sovereign immunity in tort actions; 43
69+recovery limits; civil liability for damages caused during a 44
70+riot; limitation on attorney fees; statute of limitations; 45
71+exclusions; indemnification; risk management programs. — 46
72+ (5)(a) The state and its agencies and subdivisions shall 47
73+be liable for tort claims in the same manner and to the same 48
74+extent as a private individual under like circumstances, but 49
75+liability shall not include punitive damages or interest for the 50
76+
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84+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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88+period before judgment. Neither the state nor its agencies or 51
89+subdivisions shall be liable to pay a c laim or a judgment by any 52
90+one person which exceeds the sum of $1 million $200,000 or any 53
91+claim or judgment, or portions thereof, which, when totaled with 54
92+all other claims or judgments paid by the state or its agencies 55
93+or subdivisions arising out of the sam e incident or occurrence, 56
94+exceeds the sum of $300,000 . However, a judgment or judgments 57
95+may be claimed and rendered in excess of this amount these 58
96+amounts and may be settled and paid pursuant to this act up to 59
97+$1 million per person, $200,000 or $300,000, a s the case may be; 60
98+and that portion of the judgment that exceeds this amount these 61
99+amounts may be reported to the Legislature, and but may be paid 62
100+in part or in whole only by further act of the Legislature. 63
101+ (b) Notwithstanding the limited waiver of sover eign 64
102+immunity provided in paragraph (a) herein, the state or an 65
103+agency or subdivision thereof may agree , within the limits of 66
104+insurance coverage provided, to settle a claim made or a 67
105+judgment rendered against it in excess of the waiver provided in 68
106+paragraph (a) without further action by the Legislature, but the 69
107+state or agency or subdivision thereof shall not be deemed to 70
108+have waived any defense of sovereign immunity or to have 71
109+increased the limits of its liability as a result of its 72
110+obtaining insurance cov erage for tortious acts in excess of the 73
111+$200,000 or $300,000 waiver provided in paragraph (a) above. An 74
112+insurance policy may not condition the payment of benefits, in 75
113+
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121+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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123+
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125+whole or in part, on the enactment of a claim bill. 76
126+ (c) The limitations of liability s et forth in this 77
127+subsection shall apply to the state and its agencies and 78
128+subdivisions whether or not the state or its agencies or 79
129+subdivisions possessed sovereign immunity before July 1, 1974. 80
130+ (d) When determining liability limits for a claim, the 81
131+limitations of liability in effect on the date a final judgment 82
132+is entered shall apply to the claim. 83
133+ (e) Beginning July 1, 2023, and every July 1 thereafter, 84
134+the Department of Financial Services shall adjust the 85
135+limitations of liability in this subsection to reflect changes 86
136+in the Consumer Price Index for the Southeast or a successor 87
137+index as calculated by the United States Department of Labor. 88
138+ (f)(b) A municipality has a duty to allow the municipal 89
139+law enforcement agency to respond appropriately to protect 90
140+persons and property during a riot or an unlawful assembly based 91
141+on the availability of adequate equipment to its municipal law 92
142+enforcement officers and relevant state and federal laws. If the 93
143+governing body of a municipality or a person authorized by the 94
144+governing body of the municipality breaches that duty, the 95
145+municipality is civilly liable for any damages, including 96
146+damages arising from personal injury, wrongful death, or 97
147+property damages proximately caused by the municipality's breach 98
148+of duty. The sovereign immunity recovery limits in paragraph (a) 99
149+do not apply to an action under this paragraph. 100
150+
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158+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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160+
161+
162+ (6)(a) An action may not be instituted on a claim against 101
163+the state or one of its agencies or subdivisions unless the 102
164+claimant presents the claim in writing t o the appropriate 103
165+agency, and also, except as to any claim against a municipality, 104
166+county, or the Florida Space Authority, presents such claim in 105
167+writing to the Department of Financial Services, within 3 years 106
168+after such claim accrues and the Department of Financial 107
169+Services or the appropriate agency denies the claim in writing; 108
170+except that, if: 109
171+ 1. Such claim is for contribution pursuant to s. 768.31, 110
172+it must be so presented within 6 months after the judgment 111
173+against the tortfeasor seeking contribution ha s become final by 112
174+lapse of time for appeal or after appellate review or, if there 113
175+is no such judgment, within 6 months after the tortfeasor 114
176+seeking contribution has either discharged the common liability 115
177+by payment or agreed, while the action is pending ag ainst her or 116
178+him, to discharge the common liability; or 117
179+ 2. Such action is for wrongful death, the claimant must 118
180+present the claim in writing to the Department of Financial 119
181+Services within 2 years after the claim accrues ; or 120
182+ 3. Such action arises from a violation of s. 794.011 121
183+involving a victim who was younger than the age of 16 at the 122
184+time of the act, the claimant may present the claim in writing 123
185+at any time pursuant to s. 95.11(9) . 124
186+ (d) For purposes of this section, complete, accurate, and 125
187+
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195+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
196+
197+
198+
199+timely compliance with the requirements of paragraph (c) shall 126
200+occur prior to settlement payment, close of discovery or 127
201+commencement of trial, whichever is sooner; provided the ability 128
202+to plead setoff is not precluded by the delay. This setoff shall 129
203+apply only against that part of the settlement or judgment 130
204+payable to the claimant, minus claimant's reasonable attorney's 131
205+fees and costs. Incomplete or inaccurate disclosure of unpaid 132
206+adjudicated claims due the state, its agency, officer, or 133
207+subdivision, may be excused b y the court upon a showing by the 134
208+preponderance of the evidence of the claimant's lack of 135
209+knowledge of an adjudicated claim and reasonable inquiry by, or 136
210+on behalf of, the claimant to obtain the information from public 137
211+records. Unless the appropriate agenc y had actual notice of the 138
212+information required to be disclosed by paragraph (c) in time to 139
213+assert a setoff, an unexcused failure to disclose shall, upon 140
214+hearing and order of court, cause the claimant to be liable for 141
215+double the original undisclosed judgme nt and, upon further 142
216+motion, the court shall enter judgment for the agency in that 143
217+amount. Except as provided otherwise in this subsection, the 144
218+failure of the Department of Financial Services or the 145
219+appropriate agency to make final disposition of a claim w ithin 3 146
220+6 months after it is filed shall be deemed a final denial of the 147
221+claim for purposes of this section. For purposes of this 148
222+subsection, in medical malpractice actions and in wrongful death 149
223+actions, the failure of the Department of Financial Services or 150
224+
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232+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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234+
235+
236+the appropriate agency to make final disposition of a claim 151
237+within 90 days after it is filed shall be deemed a final denial 152
238+of the claim. The statute of limitations for medical malpractice 153
239+actions and wrongful death actions is tolled for the period of 154
240+time taken by the Department of Financial Services or the 155
241+appropriate agency to deny the claim. The provisions of this 156
242+subsection do not apply to such claims as may be asserted by 157
243+counterclaim pursuant to s. 768.14. 158
244+ (14) Every claim against the state or o ne of its agencies 159
245+or subdivisions for damages for a negligent or wrongful act or 160
246+omission pursuant to this section shall be forever barred unless 161
247+the civil action is commenced by filing a complaint in the court 162
248+of appropriate jurisdiction within 4 years a fter such claim 163
249+accrues; except that : 164
250+ (a) An action for contribution must be commenced within 165
251+the limitations provided in s. 768.31(4) ;, and 166
252+ (b) An action for damages arising from medical malpractice 167
253+or wrongful death must be commenced within the limit ations for 168
254+such actions in s. 95.11(4) ; and 169
255+ (c) An action arising from acts constituting a violation 170
256+of s. 794.011 involving a victim who was younger than the age of 171
257+16 at the time of the act may be commenced at any time pursuant 172
258+to s. 95.11(9). 173
259+ Section 2. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 174
260+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 175
261+
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269+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
270+
271+
272+
273+reference thereto, subsection (5) of section 45.061, Florida 176
274+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 177
275+ 45.061 Offers of settlement. — 178
276+ (5) Sanctions authorized under this section may be imposed 179
277+notwithstanding any limitation on recovery of costs or expenses 180
278+which may be provided by contract or in other provisions of 181
279+Florida law. This section shall not be construed to waive the 182
280+limits of sovereign immunit y set forth in s. 768.28. 183
281+ Section 3. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 184
282+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 185
283+reference thereto, subsection (4) of section 110.504, Florida 186
284+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 187
285+ 110.504 Volunteer benefits.— 188
286+ (4) Volunteers shall be covered by state liability 189
287+protection in accordance with the definition of a volunteer and 190
288+the provisions of s. 768.28. 191
289+ Section 4. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 192
290+made by this act to section 768. 28, Florida Statutes, in a 193
291+reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 194
292+111.071, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 195
293+ 111.071 Payment of judgments or settlements against 196
294+certain public officers or employees. — 197
295+ (1) Any county, municip ality, political subdivision, or 198
296+agency of the state which has been excluded from participation 199
297+in the Insurance Risk Management Trust Fund is authorized to 200
298+
299+CS/HB 985 2022
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301+
302+
303+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
304+hb0985-01-c1
305+Page 9 of 61
306+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
307+
308+
309+
310+expend available funds to pay: 201
311+ (a) Any final judgment, including damages, costs, and 202
312+attorney's fees, arising from a complaint for damages or injury 203
313+suffered as a result of any act or omission of action of any 204
314+officer, employee, or agent in a civil or civil rights lawsuit 205
315+described in s. 111.07. If the civil action arises under s. 206
316+768.28 as a tort cla im, the limitations and provisions of s. 207
317+768.28 governing payment shall apply. If the action is a civil 208
318+rights action arising under 42 U.S.C. s. 1983, or similar 209
319+federal statutes, payments for the full amount of the judgment 210
320+may be made unless the officer, employee, or agent has been 211
321+determined in the final judgment to have caused the harm 212
322+intentionally. 213
323+ Section 5. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 214
324+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 215
325+reference thereto, paragraph (k) o f subsection (15) of section 216
326+163.01, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 217
327+ 163.01 Florida Interlocal Cooperation Act of 1969. — 218
328+ (15) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section 219
329+or of any other law except s. 361.14, any public agency of this 220
330+state which is an electric utility, or any separate legal entity 221
331+created pursuant to the provisions of this section, the 222
332+membership of which consists only of electric utilities, and 223
333+which exercises or proposes to exercise the powers granted by 224
334+part II of chapter 361, the Joint Power Act, may exercise any or 225
335+
336+CS/HB 985 2022
337+
338+
339+
340+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
341+hb0985-01-c1
342+Page 10 of 61
343+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
344+
345+
346+
347+all of the following powers: 226
348+ (k) The limitations on waiver in the provisions of s. 227
349+768.28 or any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, the 228
350+Legislature, in accordance with s. 13, Art. X of the State 229
351+Constitution, hereby declares that any such legal entity or any 230
352+public agency of this state that participates in any electric 231
353+project waives its sovereign immunity to: 232
354+ 1. All other persons participating therein; and 233
355+ 2. Any person in any manner contract ing with a legal 234
356+entity of which any such public agency is a member, with 235
357+relation to: 236
358+ a. Ownership, operation, or any other activity set forth 237
359+in sub-subparagraph (b)2.d. with relation to any electric 238
360+project; or 239
361+ b. The supplying or purchasing of serv ices, output, 240
362+capacity, energy, or any combination thereof. 241
363+ Section 6. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 242
364+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 243
365+reference thereto, section 190.043, Florida Statutes, is 244
366+reenacted to read: 245
367+ 190.043 Suits against the district. —Any suit or action 246
368+brought or maintained against the district for damages arising 247
369+out of tort, including, without limitation, any claim arising 248
370+upon account of an act causing an injury or loss of property, 249
371+personal injury, or death, shall be subject to the limitations 250
372+
373+CS/HB 985 2022
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375+
376+
377+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
378+hb0985-01-c1
379+Page 11 of 61
380+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
381+
382+
383+
384+provided in s. 768.28. 251
385+ Section 7. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 252
386+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 253
387+reference thereto, subsection (13) of section 213.015, Flori da 254
388+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 255
389+ 213.015 Taxpayer rights. —There is created a Florida 256
390+Taxpayer's Bill of Rights to guarantee that the rights, privacy, 257
391+and property of Florida taxpayers are adequately safeguarded and 258
392+protected during tax assessment, coll ection, and enforcement 259
393+processes administered under the revenue laws of this state. The 260
394+Taxpayer's Bill of Rights compiles, in one document, brief but 261
395+comprehensive statements which explain, in simple, nontechnical 262
396+terms, the rights and obligations of the Department of Revenue 263
397+and taxpayers. Section 192.0105 provides additional rights 264
398+afforded to payors of property taxes and assessments. The rights 265
399+afforded taxpayers to ensure that their privacy and property are 266
400+safeguarded and protected during tax assessm ent and collection 267
401+are available only insofar as they are implemented in other 268
402+parts of the Florida Statutes or rules of the Department of 269
403+Revenue. The rights so guaranteed Florida taxpayers in the 270
404+Florida Statutes and the departmental rules are: 271
405+ (13) The right to an action at law within the limitations 272
406+of s. 768.28, relating to sovereign immunity, to recover damages 273
407+against the state or the Department of Revenue for injury caused 274
408+by the wrongful or negligent act or omission of a department 275
409+
410+CS/HB 985 2022
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412+
413+
414+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
415+hb0985-01-c1
416+Page 12 of 61
417+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
418+
419+
420+
421+officer or employee (see s. 768.28). 276
422+ Section 8. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 277
423+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 278
424+reference thereto, section 252.51, Florida Statutes, is 279
425+reenacted to read: 280
426+ 252.51 Liability.—Any person or organization, public or 281
427+private, owning or controlling real estate or other premises who 282
428+voluntarily and without compensation, other than payment or 283
429+reimbursement of costs and expenses, grants a license or 284
430+privilege or otherwise permits the designatio n by the local 285
431+emergency management agency or use of the whole or any part of 286
432+such real estate or premises for the purpose of sheltering 287
433+persons during an actual, impending, mock, or practice 288
434+emergency, together with her or his successor in interest, if 289
435+any, shall not be liable for the death of, or injury to, any 290
436+person on or about such real estate or premises during the 291
437+actual, impending, mock, or practice emergency, or for loss of, 292
438+or damage to, the property of such person, solely by reason or 293
439+as a result of such license, privilege, designation, or use, 294
440+unless the gross negligence or the willful and wanton misconduct 295
441+of such person owning or controlling such real estate or 296
442+premises or her or his successor in interest is the proximate 297
443+cause of such death, i njury, loss, or damage occurring during 298
444+such sheltering period. Any such person or organization who 299
445+provides such shelter space for compensation shall be deemed to 300
446+
447+CS/HB 985 2022
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449+
450+
451+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
452+hb0985-01-c1
453+Page 13 of 61
454+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
455+
456+
457+
458+be an instrumentality of the state or its applicable agency or 301
459+subdivision for the purposes of s. 768.28. 302
460+ Section 9. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 303
461+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 304
462+reference thereto, section 252.89, Florida Statutes, is 305
463+reenacted to read: 306
464+ 252.89 Tort liability. —The commission and th e committees 307
465+shall be state agencies, and the members of the commission and 308
466+committees shall be officers, employees, or agents of the state 309
467+for the purposes of s. 768.28. 310
468+ Section 10. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 311
469+made by this act to se ction 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 312
470+reference thereto, section 252.944, Florida Statutes, is 313
471+reenacted to read: 314
472+ 252.944 Tort liability. —The commission and the committees 315
473+are state agencies, and the members of the commission and 316
474+committees are officers, employees, or agents of the state for 317
475+the purpose of s. 768.28. 318
476+ Section 11. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 319
477+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 320
478+reference thereto, subsection (2) of section 260.0125, Florida 321
479+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 322
480+ 260.0125 Limitation on liability of private landowners 323
481+whose property is designated as part of the statewide system of 324
482+greenways and trails. — 325
483+
484+CS/HB 985 2022
485+
486+
487+
488+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
489+hb0985-01-c1
490+Page 14 of 61
491+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
492+
493+
494+
495+ (2) Any private landowner who consents to designation of 326
496+his or her land as part of t he statewide system of greenways and 327
497+trails pursuant to s. 260.016(2)(d) without compensation shall 328
498+be considered a volunteer, as defined in s. 110.501, and shall 329
499+be covered by state liability protection pursuant to s. 768.28, 330
500+including s. 768.28(9). 331
501+ Section 12. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 332
502+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 333
503+reference thereto, section 284.31, Florida Statutes, is 334
504+reenacted to read: 335
505+ 284.31 Scope and types of coverages; separate accounts. —336
506+The Insurance Risk Management Trust Fund must, unless 337
507+specifically excluded by the Department of Financial Services, 338
508+cover all departments of the State of Florida and their 339
509+employees, agents, and volunteers and must provide separate 340
510+accounts for workers' compens ation, general liability, fleet 341
511+automotive liability, federal civil rights actions under 42 342
512+U.S.C. s. 1983 or similar federal statutes, state agency 343
513+firefighter cancer benefits payable under s. 112.1816(2), and 344
514+court-awarded attorney fees in other proceedi ngs against the 345
515+state except for such awards in eminent domain or for inverse 346
516+condemnation or for awards by the Public Employees Relations 347
517+Commission. Unless specifically excluded by the Department of 348
518+Financial Services, the Insurance Risk Management Trust Fund 349
519+must provide fleet automotive liability coverage to motor 350
520+
521+CS/HB 985 2022
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523+
524+
525+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
526+hb0985-01-c1
527+Page 15 of 61
528+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
529+
530+
531+
532+vehicles titled to the state, or to any department of the state, 351
533+when such motor vehicles are used by community transportation 352
534+coordinators performing, under contract to the appropriate 353
535+department of the state, services for the transportation 354
536+disadvantaged under part I of chapter 427. Such fleet automotive 355
537+liability coverage is primary and is subject to s. 768.28 and 356
538+parts II and III of chapter 284, and applicable rules adopted 357
539+thereunder, and the terms and conditions of the certificate of 358
540+coverage issued by the Department of Financial Services. 359
541+ Section 13. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 360
542+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 361
543+reference thereto, section 284 .38, Florida Statutes, is 362
544+reenacted to read: 363
545+ 284.38 Waiver of sovereign immunity; effect. —The insurance 364
546+programs developed herein shall provide limits as established by 365
547+the provisions of s. 768.28 if a tort claim. The limits provided 366
548+in s. 768.28 shall n ot apply to a civil rights action arising 367
549+under 42 U.S.C. s. 1983 or similar federal statute. Payment of a 368
550+pending or future claim or judgment arising under any of said 369
551+statutes may be made upon this act becoming a law, unless the 370
552+officer, employee, or age nt has been determined in the final 371
553+judgment to have caused the harm intentionally; however, the 372
554+fund is authorized to pay all other court -ordered attorney's 373
555+fees as provided under s. 284.31. 374
556+ Section 14. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 375
557+
558+CS/HB 985 2022
559+
560+
561+
562+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
563+hb0985-01-c1
564+Page 16 of 61
565+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
566+
567+
568+
569+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 376
570+reference thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 377
571+322.13, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 378
572+ 322.13 Driver license examiners. — 379
573+ (1) 380
574+ (b) Those persons serving as driver license e xaminers are 381
575+not liable for actions taken within the scope of their 382
576+employment or designation, except as provided by s. 768.28. 383
577+ Section 15. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 384
578+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 385
579+reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 337.19, Florida 386
580+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 387
581+ 337.19 Suits by and against department; limitation of 388
582+actions; forum.— 389
583+ (1) Suits at law and in equity may be brought and 390
584+maintained by and against the department on any contract claim 391
585+arising from breach of an express provision or an implied 392
586+covenant of a written agreement or a written directive issued by 393
587+the department pursuant to the written agreement. In any such 394
588+suit, the department and the contractor shall have a ll of the 395
589+same rights and obligations as a private person under a like 396
590+contract except that no liability may be based on an oral 397
591+modification of either the written contract or written 398
592+directive. Nothing herein shall be construed to waive the 399
593+sovereign immunity of the state and its political subdivisions 400
594+
595+CS/HB 985 2022
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597+
598+
599+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
600+hb0985-01-c1
601+Page 17 of 61
602+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
603+
604+
605+
606+from equitable claims and equitable remedies. Notwithstanding 401
607+anything to the contrary contained in this section, no employee 402
608+or agent of the department may be held personally liable to an 403
609+extent greater than that pursuant to s. 768.28 provided that no 404
610+suit sounding in tort shall be maintained against the 405
611+department. 406
612+ Section 16. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 407
613+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 408
614+reference thereto, sub section (17) of section 341.302, Florida 409
615+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 410
616+ 341.302 Rail program; duties and responsibilities of the 411
617+department.—The department, in conjunction with other 412
618+governmental entities, including the rail enterprise and the 413
619+private sector, shall develop and implement a rail program of 414
620+statewide application designed to ensure the proper maintenance, 415
621+safety, revitalization, and expansion of the rail system to 416
622+assure its continued and increased availability to respond to 417
623+statewide mobility needs. Within the resources provided pursuant 418
624+to chapter 216, and as authorized under federal law, the 419
625+department shall: 420
626+ (17) In conjunction with the acquisition, ownership, 421
627+construction, operation, maintenance, and management of a rail 422
628+corridor, have the authority to: 423
629+ (a) Assume obligations pursuant to the following: 424
630+ 1.a. The department may assume the obligation by contract 425
631+
632+CS/HB 985 2022
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634+
635+
636+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
637+hb0985-01-c1
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639+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
640+
641+
642+
643+to forever protect, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the 426
644+freight rail operator, or its successors, from whom the 427
645+department has acquired a real property interest in the rail 428
646+corridor, and that freight rail operator's officers, agents, and 429
647+employees, from and against any liability, cost, and expense, 430
648+including, but not limited to, commuter rail passengers and rail 431
649+corridor invitees in the rail corridor, regardless of whether 432
650+the loss, damage, destruction, injury, or death giving rise to 433
651+any such liability, cost, or expense is caused in whole or in 434
652+part, and to whatever nature or degree, by the fault, failure, 435
653+negligence, misconduct, nonfeasance, or misfeasance of such 436
654+freight rail operator, its successors, or its officers, agents, 437
655+and employees, or any other person or persons whomsoever; or 438
656+ b. The department may assume the obligation by contract to 439
657+forever protect, defend, in demnify, and hold harmless National 440
658+Railroad Passenger Corporation, or its successors, and officers, 441
659+agents, and employees of National Railroad Passenger 442
660+Corporation, from and against any liability, cost, and expense, 443
661+including, but not limited to, commute r rail passengers and rail 444
662+corridor invitees in the rail corridor, regardless of whether 445
663+the loss, damage, destruction, injury, or death giving rise to 446
664+any such liability, cost, or expense is caused in whole or in 447
665+part, and to whatever nature or degree, by the fault, failure, 448
666+negligence, misconduct, nonfeasance, or misfeasance of National 449
667+Railroad Passenger Corporation, its successors, or its officers, 450
668+
669+CS/HB 985 2022
670+
671+
672+
673+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
674+hb0985-01-c1
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676+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
677+
678+
679+
680+agents, and employees, or any other person or persons 451
681+whomsoever. 452
682+ 2. The assumption of liability of the department by 453
683+contract pursuant to sub -subparagraph 1.a. or sub -subparagraph 454
684+1.b. may not in any instance exceed the following parameters of 455
685+allocation of risk: 456
686+ a. The department may be solely responsible for any loss, 457
687+injury, or damage to commuter rail passengers, or rail corridor 458
688+invitees, or trespassers, regardless of circumstances or cause, 459
689+subject to sub-subparagraph b. and subparagraphs 3., 4., 5., and 460
690+6. 461
691+ b.(I) In the event of a limited covered accident, the 462
692+authority of the department to protect, defend, and indemnify 463
693+the freight operator for all liability, cost, and expense, 464
694+including punitive or exemplary damages, in excess of the 465
695+deductible or self-insurance retention fund established under 466
696+paragraph (b) and actually in force at the time of the limited 467
697+covered accident exists only if the freight operator agrees, 468
698+with respect to the limited covered accident, to protect, 469
699+defend, and indemnify the department for the amount of the 470
700+deductible or self-insurance retention fund established under 471
701+paragraph (b) and actually in force at the time of the limited 472
702+covered accident. 473
703+ (II) In the event of a limited covered accident, the 474
704+authority of the department to protect, defend, and indemnify 475
705+
706+CS/HB 985 2022
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711+hb0985-01-c1
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713+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
714+
715+
716+
717+National Railroad Passenger Corporation for all liability, cost, 476
718+and expense, including punitive or exemplary damages, in excess 477
719+of the deductible or self -insurance retention fund established 478
720+under paragraph (b) and actually in force at the time of the 479
721+limited covered accident exists only if National Railroad 480
722+Passenger Corporation agrees, with respect to the limited 481
723+covered accident, to protect, defend, and indemnify the 482
724+department for the amount of the deductible or self -insurance 483
725+retention fund established under paragraph (b) and actually in 484
726+force at the time of the li mited covered accident. 485
727+ 3. When only one train is involved in an incident, the 486
728+department may be solely responsible for any loss, injury, or 487
729+damage if the train is a department train or other train 488
730+pursuant to subparagraph 4., but only if: 489
731+ a. When an incident occurs with only a freight train 490
732+involved, including incidents with trespassers or at grade 491
733+crossings, the freight rail operator is solely responsible for 492
734+any loss, injury, or damage, except for commuter rail passengers 493
735+and rail corridor invitees; or 494
736+ b. When an incident occurs with only a National Railroad 495
737+Passenger Corporation train involved, including incidents with 496
738+trespassers or at grade crossings, National Railroad Passenger 497
739+Corporation is solely responsible for any loss, injury, or 498
740+damage, except for commuter rail passengers and rail corridor 499
741+invitees. 500
742+
743+CS/HB 985 2022
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750+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
751+
752+
753+
754+ 4. For the purposes of this subsection: 501
755+ a. Any train involved in an incident that is neither the 502
756+department's train nor the freight rail operator's train, 503
757+hereinafter referred to in this su bsection as an "other train," 504
758+may be treated as a department train, solely for purposes of any 505
759+allocation of liability between the department and the freight 506
760+rail operator only, but only if the department and the freight 507
761+rail operator share responsibility equally as to third parties 508
762+outside the rail corridor who incur loss, injury, or damage as a 509
763+result of any incident involving both a department train and a 510
764+freight rail operator train, and the allocation as between the 511
765+department and the freight rail opera tor, regardless of whether 512
766+the other train is treated as a department train, shall remain 513
767+one-half each as to third parties outside the rail corridor who 514
768+incur loss, injury, or damage as a result of the incident. The 515
769+involvement of any other train shall no t alter the sharing of 516
770+equal responsibility as to third parties outside the rail 517
771+corridor who incur loss, injury, or damage as a result of the 518
772+incident; or 519
773+ b. Any train involved in an incident that is neither the 520
774+department's train nor the National Railr oad Passenger 521
775+Corporation's train, hereinafter referred to in this subsection 522
776+as an "other train," may be treated as a department train, 523
777+solely for purposes of any allocation of liability between the 524
778+department and National Railroad Passenger Corporation o nly, but 525
779+
780+CS/HB 985 2022
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783+
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787+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
788+
789+
790+
791+only if the department and National Railroad Passenger 526
792+Corporation share responsibility equally as to third parties 527
793+outside the rail corridor who incur loss, injury, or damage as a 528
794+result of any incident involving both a department train and a 529
795+National Railroad Passenger Corporation train, and the 530
796+allocation as between the department and National Railroad 531
797+Passenger Corporation, regardless of whether the other train is 532
798+treated as a department train, shall remain one -half each as to 533
799+third parties outside the rail corridor who incur loss, injury, 534
800+or damage as a result of the incident. The involvement of any 535
801+other train shall not alter the sharing of equal responsibility 536
802+as to third parties outside the rail corridor who incur loss, 537
803+injury, or damage as a result of the incident. 538
804+ 5. When more than one train is involved in an incident: 539
805+ a.(I) If only a department train and freight rail 540
806+operator's train, or only an other train as described in sub -541
807+subparagraph 4.a. and a freight rail operator's train, are 542
808+involved in an incident, the department may be responsible for 543
809+its property and all of its people, all commuter rail 544
810+passengers, and rail corridor invitees, but only if the freight 545
811+rail operator is responsible for its property and all of its 546
812+people, and the department and the freight rail operator each 547
813+share one-half responsibility as to trespassers or third parties 548
814+outside the rail corridor who incur loss, injury, or damage as a 549
815+result of the incident; or 550
816+
817+CS/HB 985 2022
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824+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
825+
826+
827+
828+ (II) If only a department train and a National Ra ilroad 551
829+Passenger Corporation train, or only an other train as described 552
830+in sub-subparagraph 4.b. and a National Railroad Passenger 553
831+Corporation train, are involved in an incident, the department 554
832+may be responsible for its property and all of its people, all 555
833+commuter rail passengers, and rail corridor invitees, but only 556
834+if National Railroad Passenger Corporation is responsible for 557
835+its property and all of its people, all National Railroad 558
836+Passenger Corporation's rail passengers, and the department and 559
837+National Railroad Passenger Corporation each share one -half 560
838+responsibility as to trespassers or third parties outside the 561
839+rail corridor who incur loss, injury, or damage as a result of 562
840+the incident. 563
841+ b.(I) If a department train, a freight rail operator 564
842+train, and any other train are involved in an incident, the 565
843+allocation of liability between the department and the freight 566
844+rail operator, regardless of whether the other train is treated 567
845+as a department train, shall remain one -half each as to third 568
846+parties outside the rail corridor who incur loss, injury, or 569
847+damage as a result of the incident; the involvement of any other 570
848+train shall not alter the sharing of equal responsibility as to 571
849+third parties outside the rail corridor who incur loss, injury, 572
850+or damage as a result of the incident; and, if the owner, 573
851+operator, or insurer of the other train makes any payment to 574
852+injured third parties outside the rail corridor who incur loss, 575
853+
854+CS/HB 985 2022
855+
856+
857+
858+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
859+hb0985-01-c1
860+Page 24 of 61
861+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
862+
863+
864+
865+injury, or damage as a result of the incident, the allocation of 576
866+credit between the departme nt and the freight rail operator as 577
867+to such payment shall not in any case reduce the freight rail 578
868+operator's third-party-sharing allocation of one -half under this 579
869+paragraph to less than one -third of the total third party 580
870+liability; or 581
871+ (II) If a departmen t train, a National Railroad Passenger 582
872+Corporation train, and any other train are involved in an 583
873+incident, the allocation of liability between the department and 584
874+National Railroad Passenger Corporation, regardless of whether 585
875+the other train is treated as a department train, shall remain 586
876+one-half each as to third parties outside the rail corridor who 587
877+incur loss, injury, or damage as a result of the incident; the 588
878+involvement of any other train shall not alter the sharing of 589
879+equal responsibility as to third pa rties outside the rail 590
880+corridor who incur loss, injury, or damage as a result of the 591
881+incident; and, if the owner, operator, or insurer of the other 592
882+train makes any payment to injured third parties outside the 593
883+rail corridor who incur loss, injury, or damage as a result of 594
884+the incident, the allocation of credit between the department 595
885+and National Railroad Passenger Corporation as to such payment 596
886+shall not in any case reduce National Railroad Passenger 597
887+Corporation's third-party-sharing allocation of one -half under 598
888+this sub-subparagraph to less than one -third of the total third 599
889+party liability. 600
890+
891+CS/HB 985 2022
892+
893+
894+
895+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
896+hb0985-01-c1
897+Page 25 of 61
898+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
899+
900+
901+
902+ 6. Any such contractual duty to protect, defend, 601
903+indemnify, and hold harmless such a freight rail operator or 602
904+National Railroad Passenger Corporation shall expressly in clude 603
905+a specific cap on the amount of the contractual duty, which 604
906+amount shall not exceed $200 million without prior legislative 605
907+approval, and the department to purchase liability insurance and 606
908+establish a self-insurance retention fund in the amount of the 607
909+specific cap established under this subparagraph, provided that: 608
910+ a. No such contractual duty shall in any case be effective 609
911+nor otherwise extend the department's liability in scope and 610
912+effect beyond the contractual liability insurance and self -611
913+insurance retention fund required pursuant to this paragraph; 612
914+and 613
915+ b.(I) The freight rail operator's compensation to the 614
916+department for future use of the department's rail corridor 615
917+shall include a monetary contribution to the cost of such 616
918+liability coverage for th e sole benefit of the freight rail 617
919+operator. 618
920+ (II) National Railroad Passenger Corporation's 619
921+compensation to the department for future use of the 620
922+department's rail corridor shall include a monetary contribution 621
923+to the cost of such liability coverage for t he sole benefit of 622
924+National Railroad Passenger Corporation. 623
925+ (b) Purchase liability insurance, which amount shall not 624
926+exceed $200 million, and establish a self -insurance retention 625
927+
928+CS/HB 985 2022
929+
930+
931+
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935+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
936+
937+
938+
939+fund for the purpose of paying the deductible limit established 626
940+in the insurance policies it may obtain, including coverage for 627
941+the department, any freight rail operator as described in 628
942+paragraph (a), National Railroad Passenger Corporation, commuter 629
943+rail service providers, governmental entities, or any ancillary 630
944+development, which self-insurance retention fund or deductible 631
945+shall not exceed $10 million. The insureds shall pay a 632
946+reasonable monetary contribution to the cost of such liability 633
947+coverage for the sole benefit of the insured. Such insurance and 634
948+self-insurance retention f und may provide coverage for all 635
949+damages, including, but not limited to, compensatory, special, 636
950+and exemplary, and be maintained to provide an adequate fund to 637
951+cover claims and liabilities for loss, injury, or damage arising 638
952+out of or connected with the ow nership, operation, maintenance, 639
953+and management of a rail corridor. 640
954+ (c) Incur expenses for the purchase of advertisements, 641
955+marketing, and promotional items. 642
956+ (d) Without altering any of the rights granted to the 643
957+department under this section, agree to a ssume the obligations 644
958+to indemnify and insure, pursuant to s. 343.545, freight rail 645
959+service, intercity passenger rail service, and commuter rail 646
960+service on a department -owned rail corridor, whether ownership 647
961+is in fee or by easement, or on a rail corridor where the 648
962+department has the right to operate. 649
963+ 650
964+
965+CS/HB 985 2022
966+
967+
968+
969+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
970+hb0985-01-c1
971+Page 27 of 61
972+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
973+
974+
975+
976+Neither the assumption by contract to protect, defend, 651
977+indemnify, and hold harmless; the purchase of insurance; nor the 652
978+establishment of a self -insurance retention fund shall be deemed 653
979+to be a waiver of any d efense of sovereign immunity for torts 654
980+nor deemed to increase the limits of the department's or the 655
981+governmental entity's liability for torts as provided in s. 656
982+768.28. The requirements of s. 287.022(1) shall not apply to the 657
983+purchase of any insurance under this subsection. The provisions 658
984+of this subsection shall apply and inure fully as to any other 659
985+governmental entity providing commuter rail service and 660
986+constructing, operating, maintaining, or managing a rail 661
987+corridor on publicly owned right -of-way under contract by the 662
988+governmental entity with the department or a governmental entity 663
989+designated by the department. Notwithstanding any law to the 664
990+contrary, procurement for the construction, operation, 665
991+maintenance, and management of any rail corridor described i n 666
992+this subsection, whether by the department, a governmental 667
993+entity under contract with the department, or a governmental 668
994+entity designated by the department, shall be pursuant to s. 669
995+287.057 and shall include, but not be limited to, criteria for 670
996+the consideration of qualifications, technical aspects of the 671
997+proposal, and price. Further, any such contract for design -build 672
998+shall be procured pursuant to the criteria in s. 337.11(7). 673
999+ Section 17. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 674
1000+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 675
1001+
1002+CS/HB 985 2022
1003+
1004+
1005+
1006+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1007+hb0985-01-c1
1008+Page 28 of 61
1009+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1010+
1011+
1012+
1013+reference thereto, subsection (6) of section 373.1395, Florida 676
1014+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 677
1015+ 373.1395 Limitation on liability of water management 678
1016+district with respect to areas made available to the public for 679
1017+recreational purposes without charge. — 680
1018+ (6) This section does not relieve any water management 681
1019+district of any liability that would otherwise exist for gross 682
1020+negligence or a deliberate, willful, or malicious injury to a 683
1021+person or property. This section d oes not create or increase the 684
1022+liability of any water management district or person beyond that 685
1023+which is authorized by s. 768.28. 686
1024+ Section 18. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 687
1025+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 688
1026+reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 689
1027+375.251, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 690
1028+ 375.251 Limitation on liability of persons making 691
1029+available to public certain areas for recreational purposes 692
1030+without charge.— 693
1031+ (3)(a) An owner of an area who enters into a written 694
1032+agreement concerning the area with a state agency for outdoor 695
1033+recreational purposes, where such agreement recognizes that the 696
1034+state agency is responsible for personal injury, loss, or damage 697
1035+resulting in whole or in part from the state agency's use of the 698
1036+area under the terms of the agreement subject to the limitations 699
1037+and conditions specified in s. 768.28, owes no duty of care to 700
1038+
1039+CS/HB 985 2022
1040+
1041+
1042+
1043+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1046+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1047+
1048+
1049+
1050+keep the area safe for entry or use by others, or to give 701
1051+warning to persons entering or goin g on the area of any 702
1052+hazardous conditions, structures, or activities thereon. An 703
1053+owner who enters into a written agreement concerning the area 704
1054+with a state agency for outdoor recreational purposes: 705
1055+ 1. Is not presumed to extend any assurance that the area 706
1056+is safe for any purpose; 707
1057+ 2. Does not incur any duty of care toward a person who 708
1058+goes on the area that is subject to the agreement; or 709
1059+ 3. Is not liable or responsible for any injury to persons 710
1060+or property caused by the act or omission of a person who goes 711
1061+on the area that is subject to the agreement. 712
1062+ Section 19. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 713
1063+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 714
1064+reference thereto, subsection (9) of section 381.0056, Florida 715
1065+Statutes, is reenact ed to read: 716
1066+ 381.0056 School health services program. — 717
1067+ (9) Any health care entity that provides school health 718
1068+services under contract with the department pursuant to a school 719
1069+health services plan developed under this section, and as part 720
1070+of a school nurse services public-private partnership, is deemed 721
1071+to be a corporation acting primarily as an instrumentality of 722
1072+the state solely for the purpose of limiting liability pursuant 723
1073+to s. 768.28(5). The limitations on tort actions contained in s. 724
1074+768.28(5) shall apply to any action against the entity with 725
1075+
1076+CS/HB 985 2022
1077+
1078+
1079+
1080+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1081+hb0985-01-c1
1082+Page 30 of 61
1083+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1084+
1085+
1086+
1087+respect to the provision of school health services, if the 726
1088+entity is acting within the scope of and pursuant to guidelines 727
1089+established in the contract or by rule of the department. The 728
1090+contract must require the entity, or the partnership on behalf 729
1091+of the entity, to obtain general liability insurance coverage, 730
1092+with any additional endorsement necessary to insure the entity 731
1093+for liability assumed by its contract with the department. The 732
1094+Legislature intends that insur ance be purchased by entities, or 733
1095+by partnerships on behalf of the entity, to cover all liability 734
1096+claims, and under no circumstances shall the state or the 735
1097+department be responsible for payment of any claims or defense 736
1098+costs for claims brought against the entity or its subcontractor 737
1099+for services performed under the contract with the department. 738
1100+This subsection does not preclude consideration by the 739
1101+Legislature for payment by the state of any claims bill 740
1102+involving an entity contracting with the department pu rsuant to 741
1103+this section. 742
1104+ Section 20. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 743
1105+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 744
1106+reference thereto, subsection (3) of section 393.075, Florida 745
1107+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 746
1108+ 393.075 General liability coverage. — 747
1109+ (3) This section shall not be construed as designating or 748
1110+not designating that a person who owns or operates a foster care 749
1111+facility or group home facility as described in this section or 750
1112+
1113+CS/HB 985 2022
1114+
1115+
1116+
1117+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1118+hb0985-01-c1
1119+Page 31 of 61
1120+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1121+
1122+
1123+
1124+any other person is an employee or agent of the state. Nothing 751
1125+in this section amends, expands, or supersedes the provisions of 752
1126+s. 768.28. 753
1127+ Section 21. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 754
1128+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 755
1129+reference thereto, paragraph (g) of sub section (10) of section 756
1130+395.1055, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 757
1131+ 395.1055 Rules and enforcement. — 758
1132+ (10) The agency shall establish a pediatric cardiac 759
1133+technical advisory panel, pursuant to s. 20.052, to develop 760
1134+procedures and standards for meas uring outcomes of pediatric 761
1135+cardiac catheterization programs and pediatric cardiovascular 762
1136+surgery programs. 763
1137+ (g) Panel members are agents of the state for purposes of 764
1138+s. 768.28 throughout the good faith performance of the duties 765
1139+assigned to them by the Se cretary of Health Care Administration. 766
1140+ Section 22. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 767
1141+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 768
1142+reference thereto, paragraph (c) of subsection (17) of section 769
1143+403.706, Florida Statutes, is re enacted to read: 770
1144+ 403.706 Local government solid waste responsibilities. — 771
1145+ (17) To effect the purposes of this part, counties and 772
1146+municipalities are authorized, in addition to other powers 773
1147+granted pursuant to this part: 774
1148+ (c) To waive sovereign immunity and immunity from suit in 775
1149+
1150+CS/HB 985 2022
1151+
1152+
1153+
1154+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1155+hb0985-01-c1
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1157+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1158+
1159+
1160+
1161+federal court by vote of the governing body of the county or 776
1162+municipality to the extent necessary to carry out the authority 777
1163+granted in paragraphs (a) and (b), notwithstanding the 778
1164+limitations prescribed in s. 768.28. 779
1165+ Section 23. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 780
1166+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 781
1167+reference thereto, subsection (1), paragraph (a) of subsection 782
1168+(2), and paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 409.993, 783
1169+Florida Statutes, are r eenacted to read: 784
1170+ 409.993 Lead agencies and subcontractor liability. — 785
1171+ (1) FINDINGS.— 786
1172+ (a) The Legislature finds that the state has traditionally 787
1173+provided foster care services to children who are the 788
1174+responsibility of the state. As such, foster childre n have not 789
1175+had the right to recover for injuries beyond the limitations 790
1176+specified in s. 768.28. The Legislature has determined that 791
1177+foster care and related services should be outsourced pursuant 792
1178+to this section and that the provision of such services is of 793
1179+paramount importance to the state. The purpose of such 794
1180+outsourcing is to increase the level of safety, security, and 795
1181+stability of children who are or become the responsibility of 796
1182+the state. One of the components necessary to secure a safe and 797
1183+stable environment for such children is the requirement that 798
1184+private providers maintain liability insurance. As such, 799
1185+insurance needs to be available and remain available to 800
1186+
1187+CS/HB 985 2022
1188+
1189+
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1192+hb0985-01-c1
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1194+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1195+
1196+
1197+
1198+nongovernmental foster care and related services providers 801
1199+without the resources of such provi ders being significantly 802
1200+reduced by the cost of maintaining such insurance. 803
1201+ (b) The Legislature further finds that, by requiring the 804
1202+following minimum levels of insurance, children in outsourced 805
1203+foster care and related services will gain increased protec tion 806
1204+and rights of recovery in the event of injury than currently 807
1205+provided in s. 768.28. 808
1206+ (2) LEAD AGENCY LIABILITY. — 809
1207+ (a) Other than an entity to which s. 768.28 applies, an 810
1208+eligible community-based care lead agency, or its employees or 811
1209+officers, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), shall, 812
1210+as a part of its contract, obtain a minimum of $1 million per 813
1211+occurrence with a policy period aggregate limit of $3 million in 814
1212+general liability insurance coverage. The lead agency must also 815
1213+require that staff who transport client children and families in 816
1214+their personal automobiles in order to carry out their job 817
1215+responsibilities obtain minimum bodily injury liability 818
1216+insurance in the amount of $100,000 per person per any one 819
1217+automobile accident, and subject t o such limits for each person, 820
1218+$300,000 for all damages resulting from any one automobile 821
1219+accident, on their personal automobiles. In lieu of personal 822
1220+motor vehicle insurance, the lead agency's casualty, liability, 823
1221+or motor vehicle insurance carrier may pr ovide nonowned 824
1222+automobile liability coverage. This insurance provides liability 825
1223+
1224+CS/HB 985 2022
1225+
1226+
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1231+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1232+
1233+
1234+
1235+insurance for an automobile that the lead agency uses in 826
1236+connection with the lead agency's business but does not own, 827
1237+lease, rent, or borrow. This coverage includes an automobi le 828
1238+owned by an employee of the lead agency or a member of the 829
1239+employee's household but only while the automobile is used in 830
1240+connection with the lead agency's business. The nonowned 831
1241+automobile coverage for the lead agency applies as excess 832
1242+coverage over any other collectible insurance. The personal 833
1243+automobile policy for the employee of the lead agency shall be 834
1244+primary insurance, and the nonowned automobile coverage of the 835
1245+lead agency acts as excess insurance to the primary insurance. 836
1246+The lead agency shall pr ovide a minimum limit of $1 million in 837
1247+nonowned automobile coverage. In a tort action brought against 838
1248+such a lead agency or employee, net economic damages shall be 839
1249+limited to $2 million per liability claim and $200,000 per 840
1250+automobile claim, including, but not limited to, past and future 841
1251+medical expenses, wage loss, and loss of earning capacity, 842
1252+offset by any collateral source payment paid or payable. In any 843
1253+tort action brought against a lead agency, noneconomic damages 844
1254+shall be limited to $400,000 per claim . A claims bill may be 845
1255+brought on behalf of a claimant pursuant to s. 768.28 for any 846
1256+amount exceeding the limits specified in this paragraph. Any 847
1257+offset of collateral source payments made as of the date of the 848
1258+settlement or judgment shall be in accordance with s. 768.76. 849
1259+The lead agency is not liable in tort for the acts or omissions 850
1260+
1261+CS/HB 985 2022
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1266+hb0985-01-c1
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1268+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1269+
1270+
1271+
1272+of its subcontractors or the officers, agents, or employees of 851
1273+its subcontractors. 852
1274+ (3) SUBCONTRACTOR LIABILITY. — 853
1275+ (a) A subcontractor of an eligible community -based care 854
1276+lead agency that is a direct provider of foster care and related 855
1277+services to children and families, and its employees or 856
1278+officers, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), must, 857
1279+as a part of its contract, obtain a minimum of $1 million per 858
1280+occurrence with a policy period aggregate limit of $3 million in 859
1281+general liability insurance coverage. The subcontractor of a 860
1282+lead agency must also require that staff who transport client 861
1283+children and families in their personal automobiles in order to 862
1284+carry out their job responsibilities obtain minimum bodily 863
1285+injury liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 per person 864
1286+in any one automobile accident, and subject to such limits for 865
1287+each person, $300,000 for all damages resulting from any one 866
1288+automobile accident, on th eir personal automobiles. In lieu of 867
1289+personal motor vehicle insurance, the subcontractor's casualty, 868
1290+liability, or motor vehicle insurance carrier may provide 869
1291+nonowned automobile liability coverage. This insurance provides 870
1292+liability insurance for automobil es that the subcontractor uses 871
1293+in connection with the subcontractor's business but does not 872
1294+own, lease, rent, or borrow. This coverage includes automobiles 873
1295+owned by the employees of the subcontractor or a member of the 874
1296+employee's household but only while t he automobiles are used in 875
1297+
1298+CS/HB 985 2022
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1301+
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1305+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1306+
1307+
1308+
1309+connection with the subcontractor's business. The nonowned 876
1310+automobile coverage for the subcontractor applies as excess 877
1311+coverage over any other collectible insurance. The personal 878
1312+automobile policy for the employee of the subcontr actor shall be 879
1313+primary insurance, and the nonowned automobile coverage of the 880
1314+subcontractor acts as excess insurance to the primary insurance. 881
1315+The subcontractor shall provide a minimum limit of $1 million in 882
1316+nonowned automobile coverage. In a tort action b rought against 883
1317+such subcontractor or employee, net economic damages shall be 884
1318+limited to $2 million per liability claim and $200,000 per 885
1319+automobile claim, including, but not limited to, past and future 886
1320+medical expenses, wage loss, and loss of earning capaci ty, 887
1321+offset by any collateral source payment paid or payable. In a 888
1322+tort action brought against such subcontractor, noneconomic 889
1323+damages shall be limited to $400,000 per claim. A claims bill 890
1324+may be brought on behalf of a claimant pursuant to s. 768.28 for 891
1325+any amount exceeding the limits specified in this paragraph. Any 892
1326+offset of collateral source payments made as of the date of the 893
1327+settlement or judgment shall be in accordance with s. 768.76. 894
1328+ Section 24. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 895
1329+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 896
1330+reference thereto, subsection (3) of section 455.221, Florida 897
1331+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 898
1332+ 455.221 Legal and investigative services. — 899
1333+ (3) Any person retained by the department under contract 900
1334+
1335+CS/HB 985 2022
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1337+
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1342+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1343+
1344+
1345+
1346+to review materials, make site visits, or provide expert 901
1347+testimony regarding any complaint or application filed with the 902
1348+department relating to a profession under the jurisdiction of 903
1349+the department shall be considered an agent of the department in 904
1350+determining the state insurance coverage and sovereign immunity 905
1351+protection applicability of ss. 284.31 and 768.28. 906
1352+ Section 25. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 907
1353+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 908
1354+reference thereto, subsection ( 5) of section 455.32, Florida 909
1355+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 910
1356+ 455.32 Management Privatization Act. — 911
1357+ (5) Any such corporation may hire staff as necessary to 912
1358+carry out its functions. Such staff are not public employees for 913
1359+the purposes of chapter 110 or chapter 112, except that the 914
1360+board of directors and the employees of the corporation are 915
1361+subject to the provisions of s. 112.061 and part III of chapter 916
1362+112. The provisions of s. 768.28 apply to each such corporation, 917
1363+which is deemed to be a corporation pr imarily acting as an 918
1364+instrumentality of the state but which is not an agency within 919
1365+the meaning of s. 20.03(11). 920
1366+ Section 26. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 921
1367+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 922
1368+reference thereto, su bsection (3) of section 456.009, Florida 923
1369+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 924
1370+ 456.009 Legal and investigative services. — 925
1371+
1372+CS/HB 985 2022
1373+
1374+
1375+
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1379+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1380+
1381+
1382+
1383+ (3) Any person retained by the department under contract 926
1384+to review materials, make site visits, or provide expert 927
1385+testimony regarding an y complaint or application filed with the 928
1386+department relating to a profession under the jurisdiction of 929
1387+the department shall be considered an agent of the department in 930
1388+determining the state insurance coverage and sovereign immunity 931
1389+protection applicabilit y of ss. 284.31 and 768.28. 932
1390+ Section 27. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 933
1391+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 934
1392+reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (15) of section 935
1393+456.076, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 936
1394+ 456.076 Impaired practitioner programs. — 937
1395+ (15)(a) A consultant retained pursuant to this section and 938
1396+a consultant's directors, officers, employees, or agents shall 939
1397+be considered agents of the department for purposes of s. 768.28 940
1398+while acting within the scope of the consultant's duties under 941
1399+the contract with the department. 942
1400+ Section 28. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 943
1401+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 944
1402+reference thereto, subsection (3) of section 471.038, F lorida 945
1403+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 946
1404+ 471.038 Florida Engineers Management Corporation. — 947
1405+ (3) The Florida Engineers Management Corporation is 948
1406+created to provide administrative, investigative, and 949
1407+prosecutorial services to the board in accordance with t he 950
1408+
1409+CS/HB 985 2022
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1416+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1417+
1418+
1419+
1420+provisions of chapter 455 and this chapter. The management 951
1421+corporation may hire staff as necessary to carry out its 952
1422+functions. Such staff are not public employees for the purposes 953
1423+of chapter 110 or chapter 112, except that the board of 954
1424+directors and the staff are subject to the provisions of s. 955
1425+112.061. The provisions of s. 768.28 apply to the management 956
1426+corporation, which is deemed to be a corporation primarily 957
1427+acting as an instrumentality of the state, but which is not an 958
1428+agency within the meaning of s . 20.03(11). The management 959
1429+corporation shall: 960
1430+ (a) Be a Florida corporation not for profit, incorporated 961
1431+under the provisions of chapter 617. 962
1432+ (b) Provide administrative, investigative, and 963
1433+prosecutorial services to the board in accordance with the 964
1434+provisions of chapter 455, this chapter, and the contract 965
1435+required by this section. 966
1436+ (c) Receive, hold, and administer property and make only 967
1437+prudent expenditures directly related to the responsibilities of 968
1438+the board, and in accordance with the contract requi red by this 969
1439+section. 970
1440+ (d) Be approved by the board, and the department, to 971
1441+operate for the benefit of the board and in the best interest of 972
1442+the state. 973
1443+ (e) Operate under a fiscal year that begins on July 1 of 974
1444+each year and ends on June 30 of the followin g year. 975
1445+
1446+CS/HB 985 2022
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1453+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1454+
1455+
1456+
1457+ (f) Have a seven-member board of directors, five of whom 976
1458+are to be appointed by the board and must be registrants 977
1459+regulated by the board and two of whom are to be appointed by 978
1460+the secretary and must be laypersons not regulated by the board. 979
1461+All appointments shall be for 4 -year terms. No member shall 980
1462+serve more than two consecutive terms. Failure to attend three 981
1463+consecutive meetings shall be deemed a resignation from the 982
1464+board, and the vacancy shall be filled by a new appointment. 983
1465+ (g) Select its officers in accordance with its bylaws. The 984
1466+members of the board of directors who were appointed by the 985
1467+board may be removed by the board. 986
1468+ (h) Select the president of the management corporation, 987
1469+who shall also serve as executive director to the board, su bject 988
1470+to approval of the board. 989
1471+ (i) Use a portion of the interest derived from the 990
1472+management corporation account to offset the costs associated 991
1473+with the use of credit cards for payment of fees by applicants 992
1474+or licensees. 993
1475+ (j) Operate under a written co ntract with the department 994
1476+which is approved by the board. The contract must provide for, 995
1477+but is not limited to: 996
1478+ 1. Submission by the management corporation of an annual 997
1479+budget that complies with board rules for approval by the board 998
1480+and the department. 999
1481+ 2. Annual certification by the board and the department 1000
1482+
1483+CS/HB 985 2022
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1490+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1491+
1492+
1493+
1494+that the management corporation is complying with the terms of 1001
1495+the contract in a manner consistent with the goals and purposes 1002
1496+of the board and in the best interest of the state. This 1003
1497+certification must be reported in the board's minutes. The 1004
1498+contract must also provide for methods and mechanisms to resolve 1005
1499+any situation in which the certification process determines 1006
1500+noncompliance. 1007
1501+ 3. Funding of the management corporation through 1008
1502+appropriations alloc ated to the regulation of professional 1009
1503+engineers from the Professional Regulation Trust Fund. 1010
1504+ 4. The reversion to the board, or the state if the board 1011
1505+ceases to exist, of moneys, records, data, and property held in 1012
1506+trust by the management corporation for the benefit of the 1013
1507+board, if the management corporation is no longer approved to 1014
1508+operate for the board or the board ceases to exist. All records 1015
1509+and data in a computerized database shall be returned to the 1016
1510+department in a form that is compatible with the computerized 1017
1511+database of the department. 1018
1512+ 5. The securing and maintaining by the management 1019
1513+corporation, during the term of the contract and for all acts 1020
1514+performed during the term of the contract, of all liability 1021
1515+insurance coverages in an amount to be ap proved by the board to 1022
1516+defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the management corporation 1023
1517+and its officers and employees, the department and its 1024
1518+employees, and the state against all claims arising from state 1025
1519+
1520+CS/HB 985 2022
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1527+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1528+
1529+
1530+
1531+and federal laws. Such insurance coverage must be w ith insurers 1026
1532+qualified and doing business in the state. The management 1027
1533+corporation must provide proof of insurance to the department. 1028
1534+The department and its employees and the state are exempt from 1029
1535+and are not liable for any sum of money which represents a 1030
1536+deductible, which sums shall be the sole responsibility of the 1031
1537+management corporation. Violation of this subparagraph shall be 1032
1538+grounds for terminating the contract. 1033
1539+ 6. Payment by the management corporation, out of its 1034
1540+allocated budget, to the department of all costs of 1035
1541+representation by the board counsel, including salary and 1036
1542+benefits, travel, and any other compensation traditionally paid 1037
1543+by the department to other board counsel. 1038
1544+ 7. Payment by the management corporation, out of its 1039
1545+allocated budget, to the department of all costs incurred by the 1040
1546+management corporation or the board for the Division of 1041
1547+Administrative Hearings of the Department of Management Services 1042
1548+and any other cost for utilization of these state services. 1043
1549+ 8. Payment by the management corporation, out of its 1044
1550+allocated budget, to the department of reasonable costs 1045
1551+associated with the contract monitor. 1046
1552+ (k) Provide for an annual financial audit of its financial 1047
1553+accounts and records by an independent certified public 1048
1554+accountant. The annual audit report shall include a management 1049
1555+letter in accordance with s. 11.45 and a detailed supplemental 1050
1556+
1557+CS/HB 985 2022
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1564+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1565+
1566+
1567+
1568+schedule of expenditures for each expenditure category. The 1051
1569+annual audit report must be submitted to the board, the 1052
1570+department, and the Auditor General for review. 1053
1571+ (l) Provide for persons not employed by the corporation 1054
1572+who are charged with the responsibility of recei ving and 1055
1573+depositing fee and fine revenues to have a faithful performance 1056
1574+bond in such an amount and according to such terms as shall be 1057
1575+determined in the contract. 1058
1576+ (m) Submit to the secretary, the board, and the 1059
1577+Legislature, on or before October 1 of eac h year, a report on 1060
1578+the status of the corporation which includes, but is not limited 1061
1579+to, information concerning the programs and funds that have been 1062
1580+transferred to the corporation. The report must include: the 1063
1581+number of license applications received; the number approved and 1064
1582+denied and the number of licenses issued; the number of 1065
1583+examinations administered and the number of applicants who 1066
1584+passed or failed the examination; the number of complaints 1067
1585+received; the number determined to be legally sufficient; the 1068
1586+number dismissed; the number determined to have probable cause; 1069
1587+the number of administrative complaints issued and the status of 1070
1588+the complaints; and the number and nature of disciplinary 1071
1589+actions taken by the board. 1072
1590+ (n) Develop and submit to the departmen t, performance 1073
1591+standards and measurable outcomes for the board to adopt by rule 1074
1592+in order to facilitate efficient and cost -effective regulation. 1075
1593+
1594+CS/HB 985 2022
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1601+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1602+
1603+
1604+
1605+ Section 29. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1076
1606+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statu tes, in a 1077
1607+reference thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (11) of section 1078
1608+472.006, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1079
1609+ 472.006 Department; powers and duties. —The department 1080
1610+shall: 1081
1611+ (11) Provide legal counsel for the board by contracting 1082
1612+with the Department of Legal Affairs, by retaining private 1083
1613+counsel pursuant to s. 287.059, or by providing department staff 1084
1614+counsel. The board shall periodically review and evaluate the 1085
1615+services provided by its board counsel. Fees and costs of such 1086
1616+counsel shall be pai d from the General Inspection Trust Fund, 1087
1617+subject to ss. 215.37 and 472.011. All contracts for independent 1088
1618+legal counsel must provide for periodic review and evaluation by 1089
1619+the board and the department of services provided. 1090
1620+ (b) Any person retained by the department under contract 1091
1621+to review materials, make site visits, or provide expert 1092
1622+testimony regarding any complaint or application filed with the 1093
1623+department relating to the practice of surveying and mapping 1094
1624+shall be considered an agent of the department i n determining 1095
1625+the state insurance coverage and sovereign immunity protection 1096
1626+applicability of ss. 284.31 and 768.28. 1097
1627+ Section 30. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1098
1628+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1099
1629+reference thereto, subsection (7) of section 497.167, Florida 1100
1630+
1631+CS/HB 985 2022
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1638+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1639+
1640+
1641+
1642+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1101
1643+ 497.167 Administrative matters. — 1102
1644+ (7) Any person retained by the department under contract 1103
1645+to review materials, make site visits, or provide expert 1104
1646+testimony regarding any comp laint or application filed with the 1105
1647+department, relating to regulation under this chapter, shall be 1106
1648+considered an agent of the department in determining the state 1107
1649+insurance coverage and sovereign immunity protection 1108
1650+applicability of ss. 284.31 and 768.28. 1109
1651+ Section 31. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1110
1652+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1111
1653+reference thereto, subsection (2) of section 513.118, Florida 1112
1654+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1113
1655+ 513.118 Conduct on premises; refusal o f service.— 1114
1656+ (2) The operator of a recreational vehicle park may 1115
1657+request that a transient guest or visitor who violates 1116
1658+subsection (1) leave the premises immediately. A person who 1117
1659+refuses to leave the premises commits the offense of trespass as 1118
1660+provided in s. 810.08, and the operator may call a law 1119
1661+enforcement officer to have the person and his or her property 1120
1662+removed under the supervision of the officer. A law enforcement 1121
1663+officer is not liable for any claim involving the removal of the 1122
1664+person or property from the recreational vehicle park under this 1123
1665+section, except as provided in s. 768.28. If conditions do not 1124
1666+allow for immediate removal of the person's property, he or she 1125
1667+
1668+CS/HB 985 2022
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1675+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1676+
1677+
1678+
1679+may arrange a reasonable time, not to exceed 48 hours, with the 1126
1680+operator to come remove the property, accompanied by a law 1127
1681+enforcement officer. 1128
1682+ Section 32. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1129
1683+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1130
1684+reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 548.046, Florida 1131
1685+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1132
1686+ 548.046 Physician's attendance at match; examinations; 1133
1687+cancellation of match. — 1134
1688+ (1) The commission, or the commission representative, 1135
1689+shall assign to each match at least one physician who shall 1136
1690+observe the physical condition of the participants and advise 1137
1691+the commissioner or commission representative in charge and the 1138
1692+referee of the participants' conditions before, during, and 1139
1693+after the match. The commission shall establish a schedule of 1140
1694+fees for the physician's services. The physici an's fee shall be 1141
1695+paid by the promoter of the match attended by the physician. The 1142
1696+physician shall be considered an agent of the commission in 1143
1697+determining the state insurance coverage and sovereign immunity 1144
1698+protection applicability of ss. 284.31 and 768.28 . 1145
1699+ Section 33. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1146
1700+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1147
1701+reference thereto, subsection (8) of section 556.106, Florida 1148
1702+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1149
1703+ 556.106 Liability of the member oper ator, excavator, and 1150
1704+
1705+CS/HB 985 2022
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1712+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1713+
1714+
1715+
1716+system.— 1151
1717+ (8) Any liability of the state, its agencies, or its 1152
1718+subdivisions which arises out of this chapter is subject to the 1153
1719+provisions of s. 768.28. 1154
1720+ Section 34. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1155
1721+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1156
1722+reference thereto, paragraph (e) of subsection (4) of section 1157
1723+589.19, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1158
1724+ 589.19 Creation of certain state forests; naming of 1159
1725+certain state forests; Operation Outdoor Freedom Pro gram.— 1160
1726+ (4) 1161
1727+ (e)1. A private landowner who provides land for 1162
1728+designation and use as an Operation Outdoor Freedom Program 1163
1729+hunting site shall have limited liability pursuant to s. 1164
1730+375.251. 1165
1731+ 2. A private landowner who consents to the designation and 1166
1732+use of land as part of the Operation Outdoor Freedom Program 1167
1733+without compensation shall be considered a volunteer, as defined 1168
1734+in s. 110.501, and shall be covered by state liability 1169
1735+protection pursuant to s. 768.28, including s. 768.28(9). 1170
1736+ 3. This subsection doe s not: 1171
1737+ a. Relieve any person of liability that would otherwise 1172
1738+exist for deliberate, willful, or malicious injury to persons or 1173
1739+property. 1174
1740+ b. Create or increase the liability of any person. 1175
1741+
1742+CS/HB 985 2022
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1749+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1750+
1751+
1752+
1753+ Section 35. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1176
1754+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1177
1755+reference thereto, paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section 1178
1756+723.0611, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1179
1757+ 723.0611 Florida Mobile Home Relocation Corporation. — 1180
1758+ (2) 1181
1759+ (c) The corporation shall, for purposes of s. 768.28, be 1182
1760+considered an agency of the state. Agents or employees of the 1183
1761+corporation, members of the board of directors of the 1184
1762+corporation, or representatives of the Division of Florida 1185
1763+Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes s hall be considered 1186
1764+officers, employees, or agents of the state, and actions against 1187
1765+them and the corporation shall be governed by s. 768.28. 1188
1766+ Section 36. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1189
1767+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes , in a 1190
1768+reference thereto, subsection (5) of section 760.11, Florida 1191
1769+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1192
1770+ 760.11 Administrative and civil remedies; construction. — 1193
1771+ (5) In any civil action brought under this section, the 1194
1772+court may issue an order prohibiting th e discriminatory practice 1195
1773+and providing affirmative relief from the effects of the 1196
1774+practice, including back pay. The court may also award 1197
1775+compensatory damages, including, but not limited to, damages for 1198
1776+mental anguish, loss of dignity, and any other intang ible 1199
1777+injuries, and punitive damages. The provisions of ss. 768.72 and 1200
1778+
1779+CS/HB 985 2022
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1786+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1787+
1788+
1789+
1790+768.73 do not apply to this section. The judgment for the total 1201
1791+amount of punitive damages awarded under this section to an 1202
1792+aggrieved person shall not exceed $100,000. In any action or 1203
1793+proceeding under this subsection, the court, in its discretion, 1204
1794+may allow the prevailing party a reasonable attorney's fee as 1205
1795+part of the costs. It is the intent of the Legislature that this 1206
1796+provision for attorney's fees be interpreted in a manner 1207
1797+consistent with federal case law involving a Title VII action. 1208
1798+The right to trial by jury is preserved in any such private 1209
1799+right of action in which the aggrieved person is seeking 1210
1800+compensatory or punitive damages, and any party may demand a 1211
1801+trial by jury. The commi ssion's determination of reasonable 1212
1802+cause is not admissible into evidence in any civil proceeding, 1213
1803+including any hearing or trial, except to establish for the 1214
1804+court the right to maintain the private right of action. A civil 1215
1805+action brought under this sectio n shall be commenced no later 1216
1806+than 1 year after the date of determination of reasonable cause 1217
1807+by the commission. The commencement of such action shall divest 1218
1808+the commission of jurisdiction of the complaint, except that the 1219
1809+commission may intervene in the c ivil action as a matter of 1220
1810+right. Notwithstanding the above, the state and its agencies and 1221
1811+subdivisions shall not be liable for punitive damages. The total 1222
1812+amount of recovery against the state and its agencies and 1223
1813+subdivisions shall not exceed the limitat ion as set forth in s. 1224
1814+768.28(5). 1225
1815+
1816+CS/HB 985 2022
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1823+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1824+
1825+
1826+
1827+ Section 37. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1226
1828+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1227
1829+reference thereto, subsection (5) of section 766.1115, Florida 1228
1830+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1229
1831+ 766.1115 Health care providers; creation of agency 1230
1832+relationship with governmental contractors. — 1231
1833+ (5) NOTICE OF AGENCY RELATIONSHIP. —The governmental 1232
1834+contractor must provide written notice to each patient, or the 1233
1835+patient's legal representative, receipt of whi ch must be 1234
1836+acknowledged in writing, that the provider is an agent of the 1235
1837+governmental contractor and that the exclusive remedy for injury 1236
1838+or damage suffered as the result of any act or omission of the 1237
1839+provider or of any employee or agent thereof acting wit hin the 1238
1840+scope of duties pursuant to the contract is by commencement of 1239
1841+an action pursuant to the provisions of s. 768.28. With respect 1240
1842+to any federally funded community health center, the notice 1241
1843+requirements may be met by posting in a place conspicuous to all 1242
1844+persons a notice that the federally funded community health 1243
1845+center is an agent of the governmental contractor and that the 1244
1846+exclusive remedy for injury or damage suffered as the result of 1245
1847+any act or omission of the provider or of any employee or agent 1246
1848+thereof acting within the scope of duties pursuant to the 1247
1849+contract is by commencement of an action pursuant to the 1248
1850+provisions of s. 768.28. 1249
1851+ Section 38. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1250
1852+
1853+CS/HB 985 2022
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1860+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1861+
1862+
1863+
1864+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1251
1865+reference thereto, subsection (2) of section 766.112, Florida 1252
1866+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1253
1867+ 766.112 Comparative fault. — 1254
1868+ (2) In an action for damages for personal injury or 1255
1869+wrongful death arising out of medical negligence, whether in 1256
1870+contract or tort, when an apportionment of damages pursuant to 1257
1871+s. 768.81 is attributed to a board of trustees of a state 1258
1872+university, the court shall enter judgment against the board of 1259
1873+trustees on the basis of the board's percentage of fault and not 1260
1874+on the basis of the doctrine of joint and several liability. The 1261
1875+sole remedy available to a claimant to collect a judgment or 1262
1876+settlement against a board of trustees, subject to the 1263
1877+provisions of this subsection, shall be pursuant to s. 768.28. 1264
1878+ Section 39. For the purpos e of incorporating the amendment 1265
1879+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1266
1880+reference thereto, subsection (3) of section 768.1355, Florida 1267
1881+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1268
1882+ 768.1355 Florida Volunteer Protection Act. — 1269
1883+ (3) Members of electe d or appointed boards, councils, and 1270
1884+commissions of the state, counties, municipalities, authorities, 1271
1885+and special districts shall incur no civil liability and shall 1272
1886+have immunity from suit as provided in s. 768.28 for acts or 1273
1887+omissions by members relating to members' conduct of their 1274
1888+official duties. It is the intent of the Legislature to 1275
1889+
1890+CS/HB 985 2022
1891+
1892+
1893+
1894+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1897+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1898+
1899+
1900+
1901+encourage our best and brightest people to serve on elected and 1276
1902+appointed boards, councils, and commissions. 1277
1903+ Section 40. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1278
1904+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1279
1905+reference thereto, subsection (4) of section 768.295, Florida 1280
1906+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1281
1907+ 768.295 Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation 1282
1908+(SLAPP) prohibited.— 1283
1909+ (4) A person or entit y sued by a governmental entity or 1284
1910+another person in violation of this section has a right to an 1285
1911+expeditious resolution of a claim that the suit is in violation 1286
1912+of this section. A person or entity may move the court for an 1287
1913+order dismissing the action or gr anting final judgment in favor 1288
1914+of that person or entity. The person or entity may file a motion 1289
1915+for summary judgment, together with supplemental affidavits, 1290
1916+seeking a determination that the claimant's or governmental 1291
1917+entity's lawsuit has been brought in vi olation of this section. 1292
1918+The claimant or governmental entity shall thereafter file a 1293
1919+response and any supplemental affidavits. As soon as 1294
1920+practicable, the court shall set a hearing on the motion, which 1295
1921+shall be held at the earliest possible time after the filing of 1296
1922+the claimant's or governmental entity's response. The court may 1297
1923+award, subject to the limitations in s. 768.28, the party sued 1298
1924+by a governmental entity actual damages arising from a 1299
1925+governmental entity's violation of this section. The court shall 1300
1926+
1927+CS/HB 985 2022
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1929+
1930+
1931+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1932+hb0985-01-c1
1933+Page 53 of 61
1934+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1935+
1936+
1937+
1938+award the prevailing party reasonable attorney fees and costs 1301
1939+incurred in connection with a claim that an action was filed in 1302
1940+violation of this section. 1303
1941+ Section 41. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1304
1942+made by this act to section 768.28, Flo rida Statutes, in a 1305
1943+reference thereto, subsection (2) of section 944.713, Florida 1306
1944+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1307
1945+ 944.713 Insurance against liability. — 1308
1946+ (2) The contract shall provide for indemnification of the 1309
1947+state by the private vendor for any liabil ities incurred up to 1310
1948+the limits provided under s. 768.28(5). The contract shall 1311
1949+provide that the private vendor, or the insurer of the private 1312
1950+vendor, is liable to pay any claim or judgment for any one 1313
1951+person which does not exceed the sum of $100,000 or an y claim or 1314
1952+judgment, or portions thereof, which, when totaled with all 1315
1953+other claims or judgments arising out of the same incident or 1316
1954+occurrence, does not exceed the sum of $200,000. In addition, 1317
1955+the contractor must agree to defend, hold harmless, and 1318
1956+indemnify the department against any and all actions, claims, 1319
1957+damages and losses, including costs and attorney's fees. 1320
1958+ Section 42. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1321
1959+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1322
1960+reference thereto, s ection 946.5026, Florida Statutes, is 1323
1961+reenacted to read: 1324
1962+ 946.5026 Sovereign immunity in tort actions. —The 1325
1963+
1964+CS/HB 985 2022
1965+
1966+
1967+
1968+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1969+hb0985-01-c1
1970+Page 54 of 61
1971+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1972+
1973+
1974+
1975+provisions of s. 768.28 shall be applicable to the corporation 1326
1976+established under this part, which is deemed to be a corporation 1327
1977+primarily acting as an instrumentality of the state. 1328
1978+ Section 43. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1329
1979+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1330
1980+reference thereto, subsection (3) of section 946.514, Florida 1331
1981+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1332
1982+ 946.514 Civil rights of inmates; inmates not state 1333
1983+employees; liability of corporation for inmate injuries. — 1334
1984+ (3) The corporation is liable for inmate injury to the 1335
1985+extent specified in s. 768.28; however, the members of the board 1336
1986+of directors are not individua lly liable to any inmate for any 1337
1987+injury sustained in any correctional work program operated by 1338
1988+the corporation. 1339
1989+ Section 44. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1340
1990+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1341
1991+reference thereto, sub sections (5), (6), and (7) of section 1342
1992+961.06, Florida Statutes, are reenacted to read: 1343
1993+ 961.06 Compensation for wrongful incarceration. — 1344
1994+ (5) Before the department approves the application for 1345
1995+compensation, the wrongfully incarcerated person must sign a 1346
1996+release and waiver on behalf of the wrongfully incarcerated 1347
1997+person and his or her heirs, successors, and assigns, forever 1348
1998+releasing the state or any agency, instrumentality, or any 1349
1999+political subdivision thereof, or any other entity subject to s. 1350
2000+
2001+CS/HB 985 2022
2002+
2003+
2004+
2005+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2006+hb0985-01-c1
2007+Page 55 of 61
2008+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2009+
2010+
2011+
2012+768.28, from all present or future claims that the wrongfully 1351
2013+incarcerated person or his or her heirs, successors, or assigns 1352
2014+may have against such entities arising out of the facts in 1353
2015+connection with the wrongful conviction for which compensation 1354
2016+is being sought under the act. 1355
2017+ (6)(a) A wrongfully incarcerated person may not submit an 1356
2018+application for compensation under this act if the person has a 1357
2019+lawsuit pending against the state or any agency, 1358
2020+instrumentality, or any political subdivision thereof, or any 1359
2021+other entity subject to the provisions of s. 768.28, in state or 1360
2022+federal court requesting compensation arising out of the facts 1361
2023+in connection with the claimant's conviction and incarceration. 1362
2024+ (b) A wrongfully incarcerated person may not submit an 1363
2025+application for compensation under this act if the person is the 1364
2026+subject of a claim bill pending for claims arising out of the 1365
2027+facts in connection with the claimant's conviction and 1366
2028+incarceration. 1367
2029+ (c) Once an application is filed under this act, a 1368
2030+wrongfully incarcerated person may not pursue recovery under a 1369
2031+claim bill until the final disposition of the application. 1370
2032+ (d) Any amount awarded under this act is intended to 1371
2033+provide the sole compensation for any and all present and future 1372
2034+claims arising out of the facts i n connection with the 1373
2035+claimant's conviction and incarceration. Upon notification by 1374
2036+the department that an application meets the requirements of 1375
2037+
2038+CS/HB 985 2022
2039+
2040+
2041+
2042+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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2045+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2046+
2047+
2048+
2049+this act, a wrongfully incarcerated person may not recover under 1376
2050+a claim bill. 1377
2051+ (e) Any compensation awarded u nder a claim bill shall be 1378
2052+the sole redress for claims arising out of the facts in 1379
2053+connection with the claimant's conviction and incarceration and, 1380
2054+upon any award of compensation to a wrongfully incarcerated 1381
2055+person under a claim bill, the person may not re ceive 1382
2056+compensation under this act. 1383
2057+ (7) Any payment made under this act does not constitute a 1384
2058+waiver of any defense of sovereign immunity or an increase in 1385
2059+the limits of liability on behalf of the state or any person 1386
2060+subject to the provisions of s. 768.28 or other law. 1387
2061+ Section 45. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1388
2062+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1389
2063+reference thereto, paragraph (h) of subsection (12) of section 1390
2064+1002.33, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1391
2065+ 1002.33 Charter schools.— 1392
2066+ (12) EMPLOYEES OF CHARTER SCHOOLS. — 1393
2067+ (h) For the purposes of tort liability, the charter 1394
2068+school, including its governing body and employees, shall be 1395
2069+governed by s. 768.28. This paragraph does not include any for -1396
2070+profit entity contracted by the charter school or its governing 1397
2071+body. 1398
2072+ Section 46. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1399
2073+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1400
2074+
2075+CS/HB 985 2022
2076+
2077+
2078+
2079+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2080+hb0985-01-c1
2081+Page 57 of 61
2082+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2083+
2084+
2085+
2086+reference thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (6) of section 1401
2087+1002.333, Florida Sta tutes, is reenacted to read: 1402
2088+ 1002.333 Persistently low -performing schools.— 1403
2089+ (6) STATUTORY AUTHORITY. — 1404
2090+ (b) For the purposes of tort liability, the hope operator, 1405
2091+the school of hope, and its employees or agents shall be 1406
2092+governed by s. 768.28. The spons or shall not be liable for civil 1407
2093+damages under state law for the employment actions or personal 1408
2094+injury, property damage, or death resulting from an act or 1409
2095+omission of a hope operator, the school of hope, or its 1410
2096+employees or agents. This paragraph does not include any for-1411
2097+profit entity contracted by the charter school or its governing 1412
2098+body. 1413
2099+ Section 47. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1414
2100+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1415
2101+reference thereto, subsection (17) of section 10 02.34, Florida 1416
2102+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1417
2103+ 1002.34 Charter technical career centers. — 1418
2104+ (17) IMMUNITY.—For the purposes of tort liability, the 1419
2105+governing body and employees of a center are governed by s. 1420
2106+768.28. 1421
2107+ Section 48. For the purpose of inco rporating the amendment 1422
2108+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1423
2109+reference thereto, paragraph (l) of subsection (3) of section 1424
2110+1002.55, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1425
2111+
2112+CS/HB 985 2022
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2114+
2115+
2116+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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2119+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2120+
2121+
2122+
2123+ 1002.55 School-year prekindergarten program delivered by 1426
2124+private prekindergarten providers. — 1427
2125+ (3) To be eligible to deliver the prekindergarten program, 1428
2126+a private prekindergarten provider must meet each of the 1429
2127+following requirements: 1430
2128+ (l) Notwithstanding paragraph (j), for a private 1431
2129+prekindergarten provider that is a state agency or a subdivision 1432
2130+thereof, as defined in s. 768.28(2), the provider must agree to 1433
2131+notify the coalition of any additional liability coverage 1434
2132+maintained by the provider in addition to that otherwise 1435
2133+established under s. 768.28. The provider shall indemnify the 1436
2134+coalition to the extent permitted by s. 768.28. Notwithstanding 1437
2135+paragraph (j), for a child development program that is 1438
2136+accredited by a national accrediting body and operates on a 1439
2137+military installation that is certified by the United Sta tes 1440
2138+Department of Defense, the provider may demonstrate liability 1441
2139+coverage by affirming that it is subject to the Federal Tort 1442
2140+Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. ss. 2671 et seq. 1443
2141+ Section 49. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1444
2142+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1445
2143+reference thereto, subsection (10) of section 1002.83, Florida 1446
2144+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1447
2145+ 1002.83 Early learning coalitions. — 1448
2146+ (10) For purposes of tort liability, each member or 1449
2147+employee of an early learning coaliti on shall be governed by s. 1450
2148+
2149+CS/HB 985 2022
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2151+
2152+
2153+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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2156+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2157+
2158+
2159+
2160+768.28. 1451
2161+ Section 50. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1452
2162+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1453
2163+reference thereto, paragraph (p) of subsection (1) of section 1454
2164+1002.88, Florida Statutes, is reenact ed to read: 1455
2165+ 1002.88 School readiness program provider standards; 1456
2166+eligibility to deliver the school readiness program. — 1457
2167+ (1) To be eligible to deliver the school readiness 1458
2168+program, a school readiness program provider must: 1459
2169+ (p) Notwithstanding paragraph (m), for a provider that is 1460
2170+a state agency or a subdivision thereof, as defined in s. 1461
2171+768.28(2), agree to notify the coalition of any additional 1462
2172+liability coverage maintained by the provider in addition to 1463
2173+that otherwise established under s. 768.28. The p rovider shall 1464
2174+indemnify the coalition to the extent permitted by s. 768.28. 1465
2175+Notwithstanding paragraph (m), for a child development program 1466
2176+that is accredited by a national accrediting body and operates 1467
2177+on a military installation that is certified by the Un ited 1468
2178+States Department of Defense, the provider may demonstrate 1469
2179+liability coverage by affirming that it is subject to the 1470
2180+Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. ss. 2671 et seq. 1471
2181+ Section 51. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1472
2182+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1473
2183+reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 1006.24, Florida 1474
2184+Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1475
2185+
2186+CS/HB 985 2022
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2188+
2189+
2190+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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2193+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2194+
2195+
2196+
2197+ 1006.24 Tort liability; liability insurance. — 1476
2198+ (1) Each district school board shall be liable for tort 1477
2199+claims arising out of any incident or occurrence involving a 1478
2200+school bus or other motor vehicle owned, maintained, operated, 1479
2201+or used by the district school board to transport persons, to 1480
2202+the same extent and in the same manner as the state or any of 1481
2203+its agencies or subdivi sions is liable for tort claims under s. 1482
2204+768.28, except that the total liability to persons being 1483
2205+transported for all claims or judgments of such persons arising 1484
2206+out of the same incident or occurrence shall not exceed an 1485
2207+amount equal to $5,000 multiplied b y the rated seating capacity 1486
2208+of the school bus or other vehicle, as determined by rules of 1487
2209+the State Board of Education, or $100,000, whichever is greater. 1488
2210+The provisions of s. 768.28 apply to all claims or actions 1489
2211+brought against district school boards, a s authorized in this 1490
2212+subsection. 1491
2213+ Section 52. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1492
2214+made by this act to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, in a 1493
2215+reference thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 1494
2216+1006.261, Florida Statutes, is reenacte d to read: 1495
2217+ 1006.261 Use of school buses for public purposes. — 1496
2218+ (2) 1497
2219+ (b) For purposes of liability for negligence, state 1498
2220+agencies or subdivisions as defined in s. 768.28(2) shall be 1499
2221+covered by s. 768.28. Every other corporation or organization 1500
2222+
2223+CS/HB 985 2022
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2230+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2231+
2232+
2233+
2234+shall provide liability insurance coverage in the minimum 1501
2235+amounts of $100,000 on any claim or judgment and $200,000 on all 1502
2236+claims and judgments arising from the same incident or 1503
2237+occurrence. 1504
2238+ Section 53. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022. 1505