This bill provides for the financial relief of Patricia Ermini, who sustained severe injuries due to the negligence of the Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) during a well-being check on March 23, 2012. The bill acknowledges the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the deputies' lack of proper training and the subsequent shooting of Ms. Ermini by Deputy Hamer, which resulted in multiple gunshot wounds and significant long-term health issues for her. Following a jury trial that awarded Ms. Ermini $1 million in damages, the LCSO paid the statutory limit of $200,000, leaving an outstanding balance of $626,769.93, which this bill seeks to address.

The bill includes several key insertions into current law, such as the declaration of the facts stated in the preamble as true, the authorization for the Florida Sheriffs Risk Management Fund to appropriate the total claim amount of $626,769.93 to Ms. Ermini, and a stipulation that the total amount paid for attorney fees related to this claim may not exceed 25 percent of the awarded amount. The bill aims to ensure that Ms. Ermini receives compensation for her injuries and damages while limiting the financial burden of attorney fees. The act is set to take effect upon becoming law.