The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to improve the reimbursement process for clerks of the court concerning the filing of legal documents such as petitions, orders, appeals, and summons. It authorizes the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation to submit reimbursement requests on behalf of the clerks, increasing the reimbursement rate from $40 to $195 per filing. Additionally, the bill allows clerks to be reimbursed for certain fees and charges associated with their services and clarifies that they may receive reimbursement for filing fees related to indigent applications and petitions under specific circumstances. The bill also modifies the distribution of civil penalties collected by county courts, increasing the percentage allocated to the fine and forfeiture fund while decreasing the share paid to municipalities.

Moreover, the bill CS/HB 925 addresses the filing of petitions for protection against domestic violence, repeat violence, sexual violence, dating violence, stalking, and the exploitation of vulnerable adults by prohibiting filing fees for these petitions, thus removing financial barriers for individuals seeking protection. It allows for the reimbursement of clerks of the circuit court for the costs associated with these filings, replacing previous provisions that required legislative appropriation for reimbursement requests. The bill also ensures that indigent individuals receive legal representation for appeals related to sexually violent predator determinations without incurring filing fees, with costs covered by state funds. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 925 Filed: 28.37, 40.29, 45.035, 57.081, 318.14, 318.15, 318.21, 322.245, 394.459, 394.463, 394.467, 394.914, 394.917, 397.681, 721.83, 741.30, 744.3678, 784.046, 825.1035, 938.05, 142.01
H 925 c1: 40.29, 57.081, 318.21, 394.459, 394.463, 394.467, 394.914, 394.917, 397.681, 741.30, 784.046, 784.0485, 825.1035, 28.35