Bill
Bill > H0991
summary
Introduced
02/21/2023
02/21/2023
In Committee
02/28/2023
02/28/2023
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/05/2023
05/05/2023
Introduced Session
2023 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Provides that journalist's privilege does not apply to defamation claims when defendant is professional journalist or media entity; revises provisions concerning venue for certain actions; provides for attorney fees & costs to prevailing plaintiffs in certain actions; specifies certain persons may not be considered public figures; provides certain allegations are defamatory per se; provides statutory damages to prevailing plaintiffs who are subject of such allegations; creates presumption that statement by anonymous source is presumptively false; provides public figure does not need to show actual malice to prevail in defamation action.
AI Summary
This bill makes several changes to Florida's defamation laws. It provides that the journalist's privilege does not apply to defamation claims against professional journalists or media entities. It revises provisions concerning venue for certain defamation and privacy tort actions, and requires prevailing plaintiffs in such actions to be awarded reasonable costs and attorney fees. The bill also limits when a person can be considered a public figure for purposes of a defamation claim, creates a presumption that statements by anonymous sources are false, and allows public figures to prevail in defamation actions without showing actual malice in certain circumstances. Additionally, the bill specifies that allegations of discrimination based on certain protected characteristics constitute defamation per se, entitling prevailing plaintiffs to statutory damages.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Died in Judiciary Committee (on 05/05/2023)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/991 |
| Analysis - Civil Justice Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/991/Analyses/h0991a.CJS.PDF |
| Analysis - Civil Justice Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/991/Analyses/h0991.CJS.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/991/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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