CS/HB 989 2023
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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
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to appointment of courtroom animal 2
advocates; creating s. 828.035, F.S.; authorizing a 3
court to order that a separate advocate be appointed 4
in the interests of justice for certain civil and 5
criminal proceedings regarding a cat or dog's welfare 6
or custody; providing that a judge's decision denying 7
an appointment is not subject to appeal; authorizing 8
an appointed advocate to take certain actions 9
involving the proceedings; providing requirements for 10
an individual to serve as an advocate; providing 11
applicability; providing an effective date. 12
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 14
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Section 1. Section 828.035, Florida Statute s, is created 16
to read: 17
828.035 Courtroom animal advocates. — 18
(1) In any prosecution or other court proceeding under s. 19
413.081, s. 843.19, or this chapter or in any civil or criminal 20
proceeding regarding the welfare or custody of a cat or dog, the 21
court may order, upon its own initiative or upon the request of 22
a party or counsel for a party, that a separate advocate be 23
appointed to represent the interests of justice. If a court 24
orders that an advocate be appointed to represent the interests 25
CS/HB 989 2023
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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
of justice, the court must appoint such an advocate who meets 26
the requirements of subsection (3). A decision by the court 27
denying a request to appoint a separate advocate to represent 28
the interests of justice is not subject to appeal. 29
(2) An advocate appointed by the court pursuant to 30
subsection (1) may do all of the following: 31
(a) Monitor the case. 32
(b) Consult any individual who has information that could 33
aid the judge or the finder of fact and review records relating 34
to the condition of the cat or dog and the de fendant's actions, 35
including, but not limited to, records from animal control 36
officers, veterinarians, and police officers. 37
(c) Attend hearings. 38
(d) Present information or recommendations to the court 39
pertinent to determinations that relate to the inte rests of 40
justice, provided that such information and recommendations are 41
based solely upon the duties authorized pursuant to this 42
subsection. 43
(3) To serve, on a voluntary basis, as an advocate under 44
this section, an individual must be an attorney or a ce rtified 45
emeritus lawyer under rules of The Florida Bar who has knowledge 46
of animal issues and the legal system or must be a law school 47
student who has an interest in animal issues and the legal 48
system and who is certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a 49
certified legal intern in this state. 50
CS/HB 989 2023
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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
(4) This section does not apply to prosecutions or 51
proceedings involving an entity accredited through a nationally 52
or internationally recognized zoological or aquarium 53
accreditation organization. 54
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023. 55