The bill amends Florida Statutes concerning the service of process, particularly focusing on the roles and procedures involving registered agents. It mandates that registered agents maintain office hours for service of process from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and allows for service on employees of registered agents in the absence of the agent. The bill also introduces provisions for serving process on receivers of domestic entities in receivership and clarifies the requirements for substituted service, including the necessity to notify parties at their last known addresses. Additionally, it modifies the requirements for serving nonresidents and foreign business entities, specifying that such service must be issued in the name of the party to be served in care of the Secretary of State, while removing the requirement for the Secretary of State to maintain records of service.

Furthermore, the bill establishes that any service of process occurring between January 2, 2023, and October 1, 2025, will be deemed valid if it complies with either the amended chapter 48 of the Florida Statutes or the previous laws in effect before January 2, 2023. It clarifies that the amendments will apply to all service of process made on or after October 1, 2025, without extending the time for challenging the validity of any service or reviving previously waived challenges. The act will take effect upon becoming law, facilitating a smooth transition to the new regulations regarding service of process in Florida.

Statutes affected:
H 157 Filed: 48.101, 48.161
H 157 c1: 48.101, 48.161
H 157 er: 48.101, 48.161