The proposed House Bill 755 amends Florida Statutes concerning construction contracting by enhancing licensure requirements, contractor responsibilities, and penalties for violations. It requires applicants for licensure to submit a notarized statement from a licensed contractor attesting to their work experience. The bill also stipulates that licensed contractors who provide misleading or false statements may face disciplinary actions. Additionally, it mandates that contractors return deposits to clients under certain conditions, allowing them to retain a portion of the deposit if they provide a detailed statement of expenditures. Non-compliance with these requirements can result in disciplinary actions, including license suspension.

Moreover, the bill introduces a new section, 489.1285, which establishes a standardized disciplinary form for local construction regulation boards to report violations to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. It also requires these boards to check an automated information system for recorded disciplinary actions before issuing licenses. The legislation updates penalties for unlicensed contracting and clarifies reporting requirements for local boards. It further incorporates new financial literacy standards for high school students, focusing on consumer protection in construction contracting, to be implemented for students entering grade 9 in the 2025-2026 school year. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, aiming to improve accountability and education in the construction industry.

Statutes affected:
H 755 Filed: 1003.41, 489.119, 489.13, 489.131