House Bill 145 amends section 768.28 of the Florida Statutes to increase the statutory limits on liability for tort claims against the state and its agencies. The bill establishes new limits based on when the cause of action accrues: $200,000 for single claims and $300,000 for multiple claims for incidents occurring before October 1, 2026; $500,000 and $1 million for claims between October 1, 2026, and October 1, 2031; and $600,000 and $1.2 million for claims accruing on or after October 1, 2031. It also allows state subdivisions to settle claims exceeding these limits without legislative action and prohibits insurance policies from conditioning benefits on the enactment of a claim bill. Additionally, the bill reduces the timeframe for presenting claims from three years to 18 months and modifies the statute of limitations for negligence claims against the state from four years to two years.

Furthermore, HB 145 clarifies liability protections for various entities, including health care providers, private landowners, and members of state boards, under the provisions of section 768.28. It also addresses liability for lead agencies and subcontractors involved in community-based care services, mandating specific insurance coverage and establishing damage limits for tort actions. The bill includes provisions for the governance of the Florida Virtual School and aligns liability standards for private prekindergarten providers with state regulations. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the legal framework surrounding liability and sovereign immunity in Florida, ensuring clarity and consistency across various contexts.

Statutes affected:
H 145 Filed: 944.713