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The Florida Senate

CS/SB 344 — Courts

by Judiciary Committee and Senator Bradley

This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.

Prepared by: Judiciary Committee (JU)

The bill clarifies ambiguities in current law to better enable public guardians to meet the needs of their incapacitated wards. The bill clarifies that public guardians are exempt from paying any court-related fees or charges for accessing public records. The bill also requires courts to waive court costs and filing fees in proceedings involving the appointment of a public guardian or the estate of a public guardian’s ward.

In an effort to make the evaluation process more efficient, the bill allows a physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse to complete a ward’s annual medical evaluation and prepare and sign the report for the court, when the physician delegates that responsibility. Currently, only physicians are allowed to conduct the annual medical exams and prepare the reports.

If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2020.

Vote: Senate 40-0; House 114-0