The bill amends section 501.059 of the Florida Statutes, which pertains to telephone solicitation. It revises the definitions of "telephone solicitor" and "telephonic sales call," specifically excluding tax-exempt nonprofit organizations and their representatives from these definitions when the calls are made for religious, charitable, political, or educational purposes. Additionally, the bill updates the conditions under which attorney fees may be awarded in civil actions related to telephone solicitation, allowing the prevailing party to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs after a judgment and the exhaustion of appeals.
Furthermore, the bill clarifies that any award of attorney fees or costs will be part of the judgment and subject to execution. It also states that the amendments made by this act are remedial in nature and will apply retroactively. Lastly, the bill reenacts a reference to section 517.0615 to incorporate the changes made to section 501.059, ensuring that communications made for the purpose of gauging interest in securities offerings are not considered telephone solicitations under the amended law. The act will take effect upon becoming law.