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Popular Courts Bills

HB 7015 Expert Testimony

SB 1666 Mortgage Foreclosures

SB 1350 Criminal Penalties

SB 1412 Expert Testimony

SB 0556 Clerks of the Court

HB 7083 Death Penalty

SB 1384 Nursing Home Litigation

SB 0186 Jurisdiction of the Courts

HB 0643 Clerks of Court

SB 1016 Dentistry

Courts Bills On The Move

CJS1 Terms of Court

HOUSE Committee Bill Filed as H 7017

HB 7015 Expert Testimony

Signed by Officers and presented to Governor (Governor must act on this bill by 06/04/13)

HB 0651 Relief/Yvonne Morton/DOH

HOUSE Died in Select Committee on Claim Bills

HB 0937 Pub. Rec./Florida False Claims Act

HOUSE Withdrawn prior to introduction

HB 1379 Service of Process

SENATE Died in Criminal Justice

CRJS2 Sex Offenses

HOUSE Committee Bill filed as H 7031

SB 7050 Postconviction Capital Collateral Proceedings

SENATE Committee Bill Filed as S 1510

SB 1372 Pretrial Detention

SENATE Read Third Time; Substituted for HB 7035; Laid on Table, Refer to HB 7035

HB 7081 Postconviction Capital Case Procedures

HOUSE Died in Justice Appropriations Subcommittee

HB 7123 Sovereign Immunity

HOUSE Died in Appropriations Committee

Topic: Sovereign Immunity

Task force calls for keeping 'stand your ground' law, with tweaks

by Bill Cotterell - 3 months ago - +

The 44-page report says all persons have a right to feel safe and secure in Florida and have a fundamental right to defend themselves from attack with proportionate force. However, legal clarification of when it can be used is needed, panel says. ... Related Research: Final Report of the Governor's Task Force on Citizen Safety and Protection.

19 relief bills filed as first Senate bills for 2013 session

by Bruce Ritchie - 11 months ago - +

Relief bills are the first to be filed, by an Aug. 1 deadline under Senate rules. The Florida Constitution provides sovereign immunity to state and local governments but it also allows that immunity from civil or criminal suits to be waived by the Legislature, said former Rep. Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte. ... Related Research: The 19 claim bills filed for the 2013 legislative session, rules pertaining to claim bills, and list of claim bills from the 2012 session.

Gov. Scott signs Brody, 8 other claims bills

by Gray Rohrer - 15 months ago - +

Aside from the claims bill for Eric Brody, severely injured by a speeding Broward County Sheriff, the governor signed bills for awards to Aaron Edwards and the parents Rachel Hoffman. Edwards suffered brain injuries during his birth in a public hospital and Hoffman died as a confidential informant for Tallahassee police in a drug case.

2012 session summary: Justice and Courts

by Travis Pillow - 16 months ago - +

Florida Supreme Court building in Tallahassee. Photo by readerwalker

Here's what passed, what failed and what you need to know about issues affecting justice and courts. Attempts to privatize prisons failed, but the final state budget that was approved would close six prisons across the state but spare the rural Jefferson Correctional Institution.

Brody, Dillon claims bills clear first House committee

by Gray Rohrer - 17 months ago - +

HB 141 awards $1.35 million to William Dillon, who was wrongfully convicted of murder and incarcerated for 27 years. HB 445 awards $10.75 million to Eric Brody, who was severely injured when his vehicle was struck by a Broward County Sheriff's deputy in 1998.

House to take up Brody claims bill but cap attorney's fees

by Gray Rohrer - 17 months ago - +

Eric Brody, center front, his mother, Sen. Mike Haridopolis and Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto attend a press conference urging the passage of a claims relief bill for Brody at the Capitol. Photo Credit: Ana Goni-Lessan

The Brody family has traveled to Tallahassee in recent years to push for the bill's passage. They were in attendance at the Capitol last year on the final day of session when the House failed to take up the bill as the chamber warred with the Senate over budget conforming bills.

House moving ahead with lawsuit protections for physicians

by Christine Jordan Sexton - 17 months ago - +

A top priority for the Florida Medical Association has now made it through two committees in the Florida House.

Governor signs nearly 50 bills - including Medicaid overhaul - into law

by Christine Jordan Sexton - 26 months ago - +

Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday quietly signed into law 48 bills, including major overhauls of Medicaid, as well as bills dealing with abortion, growth management, vouchers and online education. The governor also signed a measure dealing with sovereign immunity.

Can't sue "The U" for medical errors

by Christine Jordan Sexton - 27 months ago - +

A bill that provides sovereign immunity to University of Miami staff and employees who work at Jackson Memorial is on its way to Gov Scott. Opponents say the bill was broadened and applies to more than just the University of Miami.

Shands is the first hospital to get lawsuit protections this session

by Christine Jordan Sexton - 27 months ago - +

Sen. Thrasher listens to public testimony during a Senate Budget Committee meeting. Photo Credit: Ana Goni-Lessan

Legislature approves a bill that provides sovereign immunity to Shands and the not-for-profit it may create. Bill sponsor Sen. Thrasher calls the bill "significant."

Medical malpractice bills moving through House and Senate

by Christine Jordan Sexton - 28 months ago - +

Senate panels on Tuesday approved bills dealing with medical malpractice and sovereign immunity, while a House panel met quickly and approved a medical malpractice measure. Gov. Rick Scott called on the Republican-controlled Legislature to approve lawsuit limits this year.

Shands sovereign immunity bill sails through committee

by Christine Jordan Sexton - 29 months ago - +

Sen. John Thrasher is the main sponsor of the measure that would offer lawsuit liability protections to everyone who works at Shands -- not just physicians who are part of the University of Florida faculty.

2013 Session Summaries

Budget & Taxes

Economic Development

Education

Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture

Law Enforcement and Justice

Real Estate and Growth Management

State and Local Administration