Bill > S0106

This bill amends Florida law to provide a new procedure for serving legal notices in cases involving exploitation of vulnerable adults when the respondent cannot be easily identified or located. Specifically, the bill introduces a "substitute service" method for "unascertainable respondents," which are individuals who have communicated with a vulnerable adult through means that make tracing their identity difficult. To use this method, a petitioner must file a detailed sworn affidavit with the court explaining their attempts to identify the respondent, including information like email addresses, phone numbers, social media handles, and communication methods. If the court approves the affidavit, the petitioner must attempt to serve the respondent through the same communication channel used in the original contact. Additionally, the bill requires that any disputed funds or property be held for 30 days after the final injunction order is issued, providing a protective measure to prevent potential financial exploitation. The new provisions are designed to help vulnerable adults seek legal protection even when the potential exploiter is hard to locate or identify, with the explicit goal of benefiting and protecting vulnerable individuals.

Justice

Rules (Senate)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/106