The proposed bill establishes two new parts within Chapter 542 of the Florida Statutes: the "Florida Antitrust Act of 1980" and the "Florida Contracts Honoring Opportunity, Investment, Confidentiality, and Economic Growth (CHOICE) Act." It introduces provisions regarding covered garden leave agreements and noncompete agreements, clarifying that certain garden leave agreements will not be deemed a restraint of trade. The bill outlines notice requirements for these agreements, allowing employers to waive portions of the notice period under specific conditions, and mandates courts to issue preliminary injunctions to prevent breaches. It also allows for the recovery of monetary damages and attorney fees for prevailing parties, while clarifying that employers can reduce employee salary or benefits in cases of gross misconduct without breaching the agreement.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes related to antitrust laws, changing references from "chapter" to "part" to clarify the legal framework for investigations into restraints of trade. It empowers the Attorney General to investigate suspected violations and outlines procedures for civil investigative demands, ensuring individuals can contest such demands in court. The bill reinforces the state's regulatory powers by specifying that no action shall be barred due to its relation to interstate or foreign commerce and addresses the validity of contracts in restraint of trade. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 1219 c2: 542.15, 542.16, 542.17, 542.20, 542.22, 542.23, 542.235, 542.24, 542.25, 542.26, 542.27, 542.29, 542.30, 542.31, 542.32, 542.33, 542.35, 542.36