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CS/HB 701 — Florida Evidence Code
by Civil Justice Subcommittee and Reps. Logan, Holder, and others (CS/SB 782 by Judiciary Committee and Senator Bennett)
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)
This bill creates a hearsay exception to allow a court to consider statements that would otherwise be inadmissible into evidence if a party wrongfully makes a witness unavailable. Specifically, this bill creates a hearsay exception for a statement offered by an unavailable witness against a party that has engaged or acquiesced in wrongdoing intended to make the witness unavailable. The Florida Evidence Code generally prohibits a judge or jury from considering hearsay, which is an out-of-court statement offered by someone other than the declarant while testifying at trial or a hearing used to prove the truth of the matter asserted.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect upon becoming law.
Vote: Senate 40-0; House 114-0