All Roll Calls
Yes: 192 • No: 0
FloridaSB 5382025SenateWALLET
State Courts System
Sponsored By: Jennifer Bradley (Republican)
Signed by Governor
AppropriationJudiciaryAppropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil JusticeRulesHouse Calendar
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Arbitration parties face new cost rules
Beginning July 1, 2025, parties generally pay arbitrator costs under Florida Supreme Court rules. The law removes the former $1,500-per-day cap for court-ordered, nonbinding arbitration. If a court finds a party indigent and uses state funds, the party must pay what they can afford and follow a clerk-set plan to repay the rest, including plan and collection costs. Qualified volunteers may serve when possible and receive actual expense reimbursement in funded programs.
State workers face dependent coverage checks
Beginning July 1, 2025, the state must hire a service to verify dependents in its group insurance program. Proof depends on the relationship: spouses need marriage or tax records; children need birth or adoption records; guardians and foster parents need court or foster-care records. Stepchildren also need the subscriber’s latest federal tax return. Unmarried children ages 26–30 need an eligibility form plus current school enrollment or a Florida-address bill dated within 60 days. Disabled children 26 or older need a recent tax return listing them as a dependent and the last four digits of their Social Security number. Sworn affidavits are allowed when records cannot be produced, including for foreign-born subscribers who cannot get documents in time.
No upfront fees for protection petitions
Beginning July 1, 2025, clerks cannot charge an initial filing fee for petitions seeking domestic violence, repeat, sexual, dating violence, stalking, or vulnerable-adult protection orders. Clerks can request $40 per petition from the state, subject to legislative funding, and must pay serving law enforcement fees up to $20 per petition. Clerks send requests to the Justice Administrative Commission each quarter, and their annual budget request must include expected reimbursement costs.
Judges available for urgent protection hearings
Beginning July 1, 2025, each Florida circuit must keep at least one judge available for hearings with little notice. A judge must also be available on weekends, holidays, and weekday after-hours to hear requests for temporary domestic violence orders without advance notice. The chief judge may assign judges to this work.
New checks for sensitive court records
Beginning July 1, 2025, judges can authenticate covered sworn papers by signing and printing their name, title, and court. Title insurers, title agents, and attorneys seeking restricted Official Records information must provide identification, a purpose, record details, and required attestations. Recorders must keep supporting affidavits off public online records, but provide copies to affected parties and may charge service fees. False attestations can lead to perjury penalties.
Disease benefits presumed work-related
Beginning July 1, 2025, emergency rescue and public safety workers with hepatitis, meningococcal meningitis, or tuberculosis requiring treatment are presumed disabled in the line of duty if the disease causes disability or death. Competent evidence can rebut the presumption. Workers must submit a sworn affidavit about possible exposure outside work, blood products, or other listed risks, depending on the disease.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jennifer Bradley
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Affiliation unavailable
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/29/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 115 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/3/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 37 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/26/2025
Rules Vote
Yes: 24 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/18/2025
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Vote
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2025
Judiciary Vote
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chapter No. 2025-163
6/23/2025Approved by Governor
6/20/2025Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
6/18/2025Ordered enrolled
4/29/2025SenateCS passed; YEAS 115, NAYS 0
4/29/2025HouseRead 3rd time
4/29/2025HouseAdded to Third Reading Calendar
4/29/2025HousePlaced on 3rd reading
4/29/2025HouseRead 2nd time
4/29/2025House1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
4/28/2025HouseBill added to Special Order Calendar (4/29/2025)
4/28/2025HouseBill referred to House Calendar
4/28/2025HouseIn Messages
4/3/2025HouseImmediately certified -SJ 330
4/3/2025SenateCS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 318
4/3/2025SenateRead 3rd time -SJ 317
4/3/2025SenateRead 2nd time -SJ 317
4/3/2025SenatePlaced on Special Order Calendar, 04/03/25
4/1/2025SenateCS by Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice read 1st time
3/26/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/26/2025SenateFavorable by- Rules; YEAS 24 NAYS 0
3/26/2025SenateOn Committee agenda-- Rules, 03/26/25, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building
3/21/2025SenateNow in Rules
3/20/2025SenatePending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
3/20/2025SenateCS by Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice; YEAS 5 NAYS 0
3/18/2025Senate
Bill Text
er
7/1/2025
c1
3/20/2025
Filed
2/6/2025