Bill > H1311

Introduced Session

An act relating to licensing and regulating locksmith services businesses; creating part XIV of ch. 559, F.S., entitled the "Florida Locksmith Services Act"; creating s. 559.971, F.S.; providing legislative findings and purpose; creating s. 559.9711, F.S.; providing definitions; creating s. 559.9712, F.S.; providing applicability; creating s. 559.9713, F.S.; requiring licensure of locksmith services businesses by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; specifying licensure and application requirements; providing for expiration of licenses; creating s. 559.9714, F.S.; requiring fingerprinting and background screening for criminal history record checks of license applicants and certain persons affiliated with a locksmith services business; specifying background screening requirements; disqualifying certain persons from licensure or from performing locksmith services based upon background screening; requiring the Department of Law Enforcement to retain the fingerprints and search arrest records against the fingerprints; requiring the Department of Law Enforcement to provide certain records to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services upon request; creating s. 559.9715, F.S.; authorizing licensure through endorsement; authorizing reciprocity agreements; creating s. 559.9716, F.S.; providing for the renewals of licenses; creating s. 559.9717, F.S.; providing for the denial, suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew licenses under certain circumstances; creating s. 559.9718, F.S.; requiring a locksmith services business to maintain liability insurance; providing penalties; creating s. 559.9719, F.S.; establishing qualifications and training requirements for locksmiths, automotive-only locksmiths, and apprentice locksmiths; requiring locksmith services businesses to keep certain records and issue photo identification cards to locksmiths, automotive-only locksmiths, and locksmith apprentices; requiring display of photo identification cards and licenses; requiring locksmith services businesses to display license numbers and business names in all advertising; creating s. 559.97191, F.S.; requiring locksmith services businesses to accept certain methods of payment and keep certain business records; authorizing the review of records by law enforcement and the department; creating s. 559.97192, F.S.; providing applicability; prohibiting persons from obtaining, owning, and possessing locksmith tools; defining the term "locksmith tools"; creating s. 559.97193, F.S.; specifying certain prohibited acts relating to the operation of a locksmith services business; creating s. 559.97194, F.S.; providing civil penalties and remedies; creating s. 559.97195, F.S.; providing administrative sanctions and criminal penalties; creating s. 559.97196, F.S.; providing that a violation of the act is an unfair and deceptive trade practice; creating s. 559.97197, F.S.; providing criminal penalties; creating s. 559.97198, F.S.; requiring the department to adopt rules; creating s. 559.97199, F.S.; providing for the deposit and use of certain funds; creating s. 559.981, F.S.; preempting to the state the regulation of locksmith services, locksmiths, and locksmith services businesses; prohibiting the issuance or renewal of local business tax receipts to locksmith services businesses; providing an exception; creating s. 559.9811, F.S.; creating the Florida Locksmith Services Advisory Council within the department; providing membership and terms; providing operating procedures and duties; requiring the department to provide administrative and staff support; providing an effective date.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Bradford Yeager (R)*, 

Died in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee (on 06/16/2025)

Official Document