Florida HB 507: Pub. Rec./ Sexual Assault Counselors

Bill Text

CS/HB 507 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb507-01-c1
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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 special protections in judicial 2
proceedings; amending s. 92.55, F.S.; authorizing a 3
court to require a pro se defendant to question 4
certain victims and witnesses through standby counsel 5
at any trial, hearing, or deposition upon specified 6
findings; providing an effective date. 7
8
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 9
10
Section 1. Subsection (7) is added to section 92.55, 11
Florida Statutes, to read: 12
92.55 Special protections in proceedings involving victim 13
or witness under 18, person with intellectual disability, or 14
sexual offense victim.— 15
(7) Upon motion of any party, upon motion of a parent, 16
guardian, attorney, guardian ad litem, or other advocate 17
appointed by the court under s. 914.17 for a victim or witness 18
under the age of 18, a person who has an intellectual 19
disability, or a sexual offense victim or witness, or upon its 20
own motion, the court may require a pro se defendant to present, 21
ask, or in any way communicate questions to such person, victim, 22
or witness through standby counsel, using questions provided or 23
approved by the defendant, at any trial, hearing, or deposition 24
if the court makes specific findings on the record that such a 25

CS/HB 507 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb507-01-c1
Page 2 of 2
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

requirement is necessary to protect the person, victim, or 26
witness from emotional or mental harm that would result from 27
direct communication with the defendant. 28
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 29