FrankGoortani/open-us-law huggingface dataset:
Fla. Stat. § 766.208 — Florida Code / Title XLV / Chapter 766 / Section 766.208
766.208 Arbitration to allocate responsibility among multiple defendants.
Status: in_force

(1) The provisions of this section shall apply when more than one defendant has participated in voluntary binding arbitration pursuant to s. 766.207.

(2) Within 20 days after the determination of damages by the arbitration panel in the first arbitration proceeding, those defendants who have agreed to voluntary binding arbitration shall submit any dispute among them regarding the apportionment of financial responsibility to a separate binding arbitration proceeding. Such proceeding shall be with a panel of three arbitrators, which panel shall consist of the administrative law judge who presided in the first arbitration proceeding, who shall serve as the chief arbitrator, and two medical practitioners appointed by the defendants, except that if a hospital licensed pursuant to chapter 395 is involved in the arbitration proceeding, one arbitrator appointed by the defendants shall be a certified hospital risk manager. In the event the defendants cannot agree on their selection of arbitrators within 20 days after the determination of damages by the arbitration panel in the first arbitration proceeding, a list of not more than five nominees shall be submitted by each defendant to the director of the Division of Administrative Hearings, who shall select the other arbitrators but shall not select more than one from the list of nominees of any defendant.

(3) The administrative law judge appointed to serve as the chief arbitrator shall convene the arbitrators for the purpose of determining allocation of responsibility among multiple defendants within 65 days after the determination of damages by the arbitration panel in the first arbitration proceeding.

(4) The arbitration panel shall allocate financial responsibility among all defendants named in the notice of intent to initiate litigation, regardless of whether the defendant has submitted to arbitration. The defendants in the arbitration proceeding shall pay their proportionate share of the economic and noneconomic damages awarded by the arbitration panel. All defendants in the arbitration proceeding shall be jointly and severally liable for any damages assessed in arbitration. The determination of the percentage of fault of any defendant not in the arbitration case shall not be binding against that defendant, nor shall it be admissible in any subsequent legal proceeding.

(5) Payment by the defendants of the damages awarded by the arbitration panel in the first arbitration proceeding shall extinguish those defendants’ liability to the claimant and shall also extinguish those defendants’ liability for contribution to any defendants who did not participate in arbitration.

(6) Any defendant paying damages assessed pursuant to this section or s. 766.207 shall have an action for contribution against any nonarbitrating person whose negligence contributed to the injury.

History: s. 55, ch. 88-1; s. 31, ch. 88-277; s. 305, ch. 96-410.
Fla. Stat. § 28.30 — Florida Code / Title V / Chapter 28 / Section 28.30
28.30 Records; destruction; reproduction; electronic recordkeeping.
Status: in_force

(1) The purpose of this section and s. 28.31 is to make available for the use of the clerks of the circuit court of the several counties of the state sufficient space to enable them to efficiently administer the affairs of office.

(2) The clerk of the circuit court of each county of the state is authorized to destroy and dispose of public records pursuant to the rules adopted by the Division of Library and Information Services of the Department of State pursuant to s. 257.36.

(3) Each clerk of the circuit court is authorized to photograph, microphotograph, or reproduce on film, or to maintain in an electronic recordkeeping system, any public record that the clerk may select. Such photographs, microphotographs, or other reproductions on film or reproductions from an electronic recordkeeping system shall be admissible in evidence with the same force and effect as the originals. Duly certified or authenticated reproductions of such photographs, microphotographs, reproductions on film, or reproductions from an electronic recordkeeping system shall be admitted in evidence equally with the original photographs, microphotographs, reproductions on film, or reproductions from an electronic recordkeeping system.

(4) The clerk of the circuit court shall follow procedures for electronic recordkeeping in accordance with rules adopted by the Division of Library and Information Services of the Department of State.

(5) Except when otherwise provided by law or applicable rule, a document that is submitted to the clerk of the circuit court by electronic transmission is deemed filed when the document is received and the date and time are acknowledged by the clerk, as opposed to the date and time of transmission. The clerk is not liable for malfunctions or errors occurring in the transmission of documents for filing by electronic means.

History: ss. 1, 2, 3, 4, ch. 25433, 1949; s. 8, ch. 69-82; s. 6, ch. 94-348.
Fla. Stat. § 1013.48 — Florida Code / Title XLVIII / Chapter 1013 / Part III / Section 1013.48
1013.48 Changes in construction requirements after award of contract.
Status: in_force

The board may, at its option and by written policy duly adopted and entered in its official minutes, authorize the superintendent or president or other designated individual to approve change orders in the name of the board for preestablished amounts. Approvals must be for the purpose of expediting the work in progress and must be reported to the board and entered in its official minutes.

History: s. 27, ch. 2002-296; s. 848, ch. 2002-387; s. 38, ch. 2024-159.
Fla. Stat. § 43.27 — Florida Code / Title V / Chapter 43 / Section 43.27
43.27 Office hours of clerks of court.
Status: in_force

With the advice and consent of the chief judge of the circuit, the clerks of the courts of the several counties may establish the hours during which the office of clerk may be open to the public. The hours should conform as nearly as possible to the customary weekday hours of business prevailing in the county. The clerk may prescribe that the office be open such additional hours as public needs require. The clerk of court may not close any office of the clerk of court during customary weekday hours without the consent of the chief judge of the circuit.

History: s. 1, ch. 72-238; s. 261, ch. 95-147; s. 9, ch. 2009-204.
Fla. Stat. § 791.013 — Florida Code / Title XLVI / Chapter 791 / Section 791.013
791.013 Testing and approval of sparklers; penalties.
Status: in_force

(1) A person who wishes to sell sparklers must submit samples of his or her product to the division for testing to determine whether it is a sparkler as defined in s. 791.01. Such samples must be received by the division by September 1 to be considered for approval the following year. On February 1 of each year the division shall approve those products which it has tested and found to meet the requirements for sparklers. All approved sparkler products are legal for sale until January 31 of the following year. The list of approved sparkler products shall be published in the Florida Administrative Register and shall prominently state the dates between which the products may be sold. The division shall make copies of this list available to the public. A product must be tested and approved for sale in accordance with the rules adopted to implement this section. Beginning February 1, 1988, only those products approved by the division may be sold in the state. The State Fire Marshal shall adopt rules describing the testing, approval, and listing procedures.

(2) Any person who alters an approved sparkler product, so that it is no longer a sparkler as defined in s. 791.01, and subsequently sells the product as if it were approved is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Any person who fraudulently represents a device as approved for sale as a sparkler product when it is not so approved is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(3) For purposes of the testing requirement by this section, the division shall perform such tests as are necessary to determine compliance with the performance standards in the definition of sparklers, pursuant to s. 791.01. The State Fire Marshal shall adopt, by rule, procedures for testing products to determine compliance with this chapter. The Division of Criminal Investigations shall dispose of any samples which remain after testing.

History: s. 2, ch. 87-118; s. 21, ch. 93-276; s. 1222, ch. 97-102; s. 58, ch. 2013-14; s. 38, ch. 2016-165; s. 25, ch. 2025-4.
Fla. Stat. § 373.409 — Florida Code / Title XXVIII / Chapter 373 / Part IV / Section 373.409
373.409 Headgates, valves, and measuring devices.
Status: in_force

(1) The department or the governing board may, by regulation, require the owner of any dam, impoundment, reservoir, appurtenant work, or works subject to the provisions of this part to install and maintain a substantial and serviceable headgate or valve at the point designated by the department or the governing board to measure the water discharged or diverted.

(2) If any owner shall not have constructed or installed such headgate or valve or such measuring device within 60 days after the governing board or department has ordered its construction, the governing board or department shall have such headgate, valve, or measuring device constructed or installed, and the costs of installing the headgate, valve, or measuring device shall be a lien against the owner’s land upon which such installation takes place until the governing board or department is reimbursed in full.

(3) No person shall alter or tamper with a measuring device so as to cause it to register other than the actual amount of water diverted, discharged, or taken. Violation of this subsection shall be a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable under s. 775.082(4)(b).

History: s. 3, part IV, ch. 72-299; s. 28, ch. 87-225; s. 49, ch. 91-221.
Fla. Stat. § 125.0156 — Florida Code / Title XI / Chapter 125 / Part I / Section 125.0156
125.0156 Restrictions on identification documents.
Status: in_force

A county may not:

(1) Provide funds to any person, entity, or organization for the purpose of issuing an identification card or document to an individual who does not provide proof of lawful presence in the United States.

(2) Accept as identification any identification card or document issued by any person, entity, or organization that knowingly issues such identification cards or documents to individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States. This prohibition does not apply to any documentation issued by, or on behalf of, the Federal Government.

History: s. 1, ch. 2023-40; s. 1, ch. 2024-9.
Fla. Stat. § 39.012 — Florida Code / Title V / Chapter 39 / Part I / Section 39.012
39.012 Rules for implementation.
Status: in_force

The department shall adopt rules for the efficient and effective management of all programs, services, facilities, and functions necessary for implementing this chapter. Such rules may not conflict with the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure. All rules and policies must conform to accepted standards of care and treatment.

History: s. 2, ch. 87-289; s. 4, ch. 90-208; s. 12, ch. 94-209; s. 1, ch. 97-101; s. 120, ch. 97-238; s. 22, ch. 98-403.
Fla. Stat. § 48.041 — Florida Code / Title VI / Chapter 48 / Section 48.041
48.041 Service on minor.
Status: in_force

(1) Process against a minor who has never been married shall be served: (a) By serving a parent or guardian of the minor as provided for in s. 48.031 or, when there is a legal guardian appointed for the minor, by serving the guardian as provided for in s. 48.031. (b) By serving the guardian ad litem or other person, if one is appointed by the court to represent the minor. Service on the guardian ad litem is unnecessary when he or she appears voluntarily or when the court orders the appearance without service of process on him or her.

(2) In all cases heretofore adjudicated in which process was served on a minor as prescribed by any law heretofore existing, the service was lawfully made, and no proceeding shall be declared irregular or illegal if a guardian ad litem appeared for the minor.

History: ss. 1, 2, ch. 7853, 1919; CGL 4273, 4274; s. 1, ch. 19175, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 4274(13); s. 2, ch. 29737, 1955; s. 4, ch. 67-254; s. 1, ch. 84-176; s. 270, ch. 95-147.
Fla. Stat. § 153.67 — Florida Code / Title XI / Chapter 153 / Part II / Section 153.67
153.67 Unpaid fees to constitute lien.
Status: in_force

In the event that the fees, rates or charges for the services and facilities of any water or sewer system shall not be paid as and when due, any unpaid balance thereof and all interest accruing thereon shall be a lien on any parcel or property affected thereby. Such liens shall be superior and paramount to the interest on such parcel or property of any owner, lessee, tenant, mortgagee or other person except the lien of county taxes and shall be on a parity with the lien of any such county taxes. In the event that any such service charge shall not be paid as and when due and shall be in default for thirty days or more the unpaid balance thereof and all interest accrued thereon, together with attorneys fees and costs, may be recovered by the district in a civil action, and any such lien and accrued interest may be foreclosed or otherwise enforced by the district by action or suit in equity as for the foreclosure of a mortgage on real property.

History: s. 18, ch. 59-466.
Fla. Stat. § 627.4215 — Florida Code / Title XXXVII / Chapter 627 / Part II / Section 627.4215
627.4215 Disclosures to policyholders; coverage of behavioral health care services.
Status: in_force

(1) A health insurer that offers behavioral health insurance coverages required by federal or state law shall make all of the following information available on its website: (a) The federal and state requirements for coverage of behavioral health care services. (b) Contact information for the Division of Consumer Services of the department, including a hyperlink, for consumers to submit inquiries or complaints relating to health insurer products or services regulated by the department or the office.

(2) On an annual basis, a health insurer that offers behavioral health insurance coverages required by federal or state law shall provide a direct notice to insureds with behavioral health insurance coverages required by federal or state law which must include a description of the federal and state requirements for coverage of behavioral health care services. Such notice must also include the website address and statewide toll-free telephone number of the Division of Consumer Services of the department for receiving and logging complaints.

History: s. 2, ch. 2021-146; s. 34, ch. 2023-144.
Fla. Stat. § 450.28 — Florida Code / Title XXXI / Chapter 450 / Part III / Section 450.28
450.28 Definitions.
Status: in_force

(1) “Farm labor contractor” means: (a) Any person who, for a fee or other valuable consideration, recruits, transports into or within the state, supplies, or hires at any one time in any calendar year one or more farm workers to work for, or under the direction, supervision, or control of, a third person; or (b) Any person who recruits, transports into or within the state, supplies, or hires at any one time in any calendar year one or more farm workers and who, for a fee or other valuable consideration, directs, supervises, or controls all or any part of the work of such workers.

(2) “Department” means the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

(3) “Carpool” means an arrangement made by the workers using one worker’s own vehicle for transportation to and from work and for which the driver or owner of the vehicle is not paid by any third person other than the members of the carpool.

(4) “Immediate family member” means a person having one of the following relationships to another: husband, wife, father, mother, son, or daughter.

(5) “Minor violation” means a violation of a specific state or federal law or rule that does not result in economic or physical harm to any person recruited, transported, supplied, or hired by a farm labor contractor or create a significant threat of such harm.

(6) “Major violation” means a violation of a specific state or federal law or rule that results in economic or physical harm to any person recruited, transported, supplied, or hired by a farm labor contractor or creates a significant threat of such harm.

(7) “Timely application for renewal” means the application for a federal certificate of registration as a farm labor contractor, or a farm labor contractor employee, is filed, as defined by federal law, with the United States Department of Labor at least 30 days before its expiration date.

History: s. 2, ch. 71-234; s. 1, ch. 77-25; s. 156, ch. 77-104; s. 44, ch. 79-7; s. 1, ch. 83-42; s. 41, ch. 83-174; s. 2, ch. 85-243; s. 30, ch. 95-345; s. 143, ch. 2000-165; s. 63, ch. 2002-194; s. 11, ch. 2004-64; s. 8, ch. 2006-81; s. 1, ch. 2010-124.
Fla. Stat. § 468.207 — Florida Code / Title XXXII / Chapter 468 / Part III / Section 468.207
468.207 License required.
Status: in_force

No person shall practice occupational therapy or hold himself or herself out as an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant or as being able to practice occupational therapy or to render occupational therapy services in the state unless he or she is licensed in accordance with the provisions of this act.

History: s. 4, ch. 75-179; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 12, 13, ch. 84-4; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 276, ch. 97-103.
Fla. Stat. § 379.357 — Florida Code / Title XXVIII / Chapter 379 / Part VI / Section 379.357
379.357 Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission license program for tarpon; fees; penalties.
Status: in_force

(1) The commission shall establish a license program for the purpose of issuing tags to individuals desiring to harvest fish of the species Megalops atlanticus , commonly known as tarpon, from the waters of the state. The tags shall be nontransferable, except that the commission may allow for a limited number of tags to be purchased by professional fishing guides for transfer to individuals, and issued by the commission in order of receipt of a properly completed application for a nonrefundable fee of $50 per tag. The commission and any tax collector may sell the tags and collect the fees therefor. Tarpon tags are valid from January 1 through December 31. To defray the cost of issuing any tag, the issuing tax collector shall collect and retain as his or her costs, in addition to the tag fee collected, the amount allowed under s. 379.352(6) for the issuance of licenses.

(2) Proceeds from the sale of tarpon tags shall be deposited in the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund and shall be used to gather information directly applicable to tarpon management.

(3) A person may not take, kill, or possess any fish of the species Megalops atlanticus , commonly known as tarpon, unless the person has purchased a tarpon tag and securely attached it through the lower jaw of the fish. A taxidermist may remove the tag during the process of mounting a tarpon. The removed tag shall remain with the fish during any subsequent storage or shipment. The purchase of a tarpon tag does not authorize the purchaser to harvest or possess tarpon in violation of commission rules. A person who violates this subsection commits a Level Two violation under s. 379.401.

(4) A person may not sell, offer for sale, barter, exchange for merchandise, transport for sale, either within or without the state, offer to purchase, or purchase any species of fish known as tarpon. A person who violates this subsection commits a Level Three violation under s. 379.401.

(5) The commission shall prescribe and provide suitable forms and tags necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

(6) This section does not apply to anyone who immediately returns a tarpon uninjured to the water at the place where the fish was caught.

History: s. 1, ch. 88-170; s. 215, ch. 94-356; s. 986, ch. 95-148; s. 7, ch. 96-300; s. 28, ch. 96-321; s. 4, ch. 98-227; s. 100, ch. 99-245; s. 19, ch. 2002-46; s. 16, ch. 2006-304; s. 142, ch. 2008-247; s. 6, ch. 2015-161; s. 13, ch. 2016-107.
Fla. Stat. § 20.317 — Florida Code / Title IV / Chapter 20 / Section 20.317
20.317 Department of the Lottery.
Status: in_force

There is created a Department of the Lottery.

(1)(a) The head of the Department of the Lottery is the Secretary of the Department of the Lottery. The secretary shall be appointed by the Governor subject to the confirmation of the Senate. The secretary shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The compensation of the secretary shall be set annually by executive order of the Governor. (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that, prior to appointing a secretary of the department, the Governor conduct a thorough search to find the most qualified appointee available. In conducting such search, the Governor shall emphasize such considerations as business management experience, marketing experience, computer experience, and lottery management experience.

(2) Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, the secretary may create divisions and bureaus within the department and allocate the various functions of the department among such divisions and bureaus. However, in order to promote and protect the integrity of and the public confidence in the state lottery, there is created a Division of Security within the department.

(3) The headquarters of the department shall be located in Tallahassee. However, the department may establish such regional offices throughout the state as the secretary deems necessary to the efficient operation of the state lottery.

History: s. 4, ch. 87-65.
Fla. Stat. § 339.1371 — Florida Code / Title XXVI / Chapter 339 / Section 339.1371
339.1371 Mobility 2000; funding.
Status: in_force

(1) Beginning in fiscal year 2000-2001 the Department of Transportation shall allocate sufficient funds to implement the Mobility 2000 (Building Roads for the 21st Century) initiative. The department shall develop a plan to expend these revenues and amend the current tentative work program for the time period 2000-2001 through 2004-2005 prior to adoption to include Mobility 2000 projects. In addition, prior to work program adoption, the department shall submit a budget amendment pursuant to s. 339.135(7), requesting budget authority needed to implement the Mobility 2000 initiative. Funds will be used for corridors that link Florida’s economic regions to seaports, international airports, and markets to provide connections through major gateways, improved mobility in major urbanized areas, and access routes for emergency evacuation to coastal communities based on analysis of current and projected traffic conditions.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in fiscal year 2001-2002 and each year thereafter, the increase in revenue to the State Transportation Trust Fund derived from ss. 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, and 10, ch. 2000-257, Laws of Florida, shall be first used by the Department of Transportation to fund the Mobility 2000 initiative and any remaining funds shall be used to fund the Florida Strategic Intermodal System created pursuant to s. 339.61. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the requirements of ss. 206.46(3) and 206.606(2) shall not apply to the Mobility 2000 initiative.

History: ss. 6, 11, ch. 2000-257; s. 11, ch. 2004-366.
Fla. Stat. § 73.121 — Florida Code / Title VI / Chapter 73 / Section 73.121
73.121 Writs of assistance and possession.
Status: in_force

Whenever the judge is satisfied that any person, whether holding under the defendant or not, is preventing or obstructing the petitioner from entering upon or taking possession of the property after the petitioner is entitled to do so, the judge may grant such writs as he or she may think necessary, or the judge may proceed for contempt of court.

History: s. 1, ch. 65-369; s. 363, ch. 95-147.