Downloads
CS/CS/HB 1559 — Vexatious Litigants
by Judiciary Committee; Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee; and Reps. Sapp, Fabricio, and others (CS/CS/SB 1650 by Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice; Judiciary Committee; and Senators Grall and Yarborough)
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)
A vexatious litigant is a pro se litigant who has filed numerous meritless actions for the purpose of abusing or harassing the other party. Such a person who has filed five or more civil actions in the past 5 years that were adversely determined against the person is subject to being listed as a vexatious litigant on a registry maintained by the Florida Supreme Court. A vexatious litigant on the registry is barred from filing a pro se civil action without court permission and the posting of financial security. A clerk of court must reject any case filing that a vexatious litigant attempts to file without permission or security. The bill amends the Florida Vexatious Litigant Law based on suggestions from a workgroup appointed by the Supreme Court to examine the law.
The bill expands the scope of the law to take additional instances of misconduct into account in determining whether a person is subject to registration as a vexatious litigant. The additional instances of misconduct include:
- Misconduct in additional case types—small claims cases and family law actions.
- Misconduct in additional courts—courts of other states and federal courts.
- Adverse decisions in cases commenced during the last 7 years instead of the last 5 years, except for cases found by a court to have been commenced in good faith.
- The repeated filing of frivolous pleadings in a single case.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2025.
Vote: Senate 37-0; House 114-0