The Florida Senate

375.251  Limitation on liability of persons making available to public certain areas for recreational purposes without charge.--

(1)  The purpose of this act is to encourage persons to make available to the public land, water areas and park areas for outdoor recreational purposes by limiting their liability to persons going thereon and to third persons who may be damaged by the acts or omissions of persons going thereon.

(2)(a)  An owner or lessee who provides the public with a park area or other land for outdoor recreational purposes owes no duty of care to keep that park area or land safe for entry or use by others, or to give warning to persons entering or going on that park area or land of any hazardous conditions, structures, or activities thereon. An owner or lessee who provides the public with a park area or other land for outdoor recreational purposes shall not by providing that park area or land:

1.  Be presumed to extend any assurance that such park area or land is safe for any purpose,

2.  Incur any duty of care toward a person who goes on that park area or land, or

3.  Become liable or responsible for any injury to persons or property caused by the act or omission of a person who goes on that park area or land.

(b)  This section shall not apply if there is any charge made or usually made for entering or using such park area or land, or any part thereof, or if any commercial or other activity, whereby profit is derived from the patronage of the general public, is conducted on such park area or land, or any part thereof.

(3)(a)  An owner of land or water area leased to the state for outdoor recreational purposes owes no duty of care to keep that land or water area safe for entry or use by others, or to give warning to persons entering or going on that land or water of any hazardous conditions, structures, or activities thereon. An owner who leases land or water area to the state for outdoor recreational purposes shall not by giving such lease:

1.  Be presumed to extend any assurance that such land or water area is safe for any purpose,

2.  Incur any duty of care toward a person who goes on the leased land or water area, or

3.  Become liable or responsible for any injury to persons or property caused by the act or omission of a person who goes on the leased land or water area.

(b)  The foregoing applies whether the person going on the leased land or water area is an invitee, licensee, trespasser, or otherwise.

(4)  This act does not relieve any person of liability which would otherwise exist for deliberate, willful or malicious injury to persons or property. The provisions hereof shall not be deemed to create or increase the liability of any person.

(5)  The term "outdoor recreational purposes" as used in this act shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, hunting, fishing, swimming, boating, camping, picnicking, hiking, pleasure driving, nature study, water skiing, motorcycling, and visiting historical, archaeological, scenic, or scientific sites.

History.--ss. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ch. 63-313; s. 1, ch. 75-17; s. 7, ch. 87-328.