The bill amends the Florida Vexatious Litigant Law, specifically section 68.093 of the Florida Statutes, to revise definitions and expand the scope of actions subject to the law. Key changes include the definition of "action," which now encompasses various types of legal proceedings governed by specific procedural rules, and the criteria for designating someone as a vexatious litigant. The bill increases the threshold for designation from five to seven years of vexatious litigation and introduces new provisions for sanctions and remedies, including the requirement for vexatious litigants to post security to cover litigation costs. Additionally, clerks of court are prohibited from accepting filings from individuals designated as vexatious litigants without prior court approval.

The bill also establishes an automatic stay on litigation involving vexatious litigants until certain conditions are met, such as the court ruling on a motion for security or granting leave to file. It mandates that clerks maintain a registry of vexatious litigants and outlines the process for dismissing actions or denying pleadings filed by such litigants. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 1559 Filed: 68.093
H 1559 c1: 68.093