The Florida Senate

Whenever any civil action has been brought against any officer of the ¹community college board of trustees, including a board member, or any person employed by or agent of the ¹community college board of trustees, of any ¹community college for any act or omission arising out of and in the course of the performance of his or her duties and responsibilities, the ¹community college board of trustees may defray all costs of defending such action, including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses together with costs of appeal, if any, and may save harmless and protect such person from any financial loss resulting therefrom; and the ¹community college board of trustees may be self-insured, to enter into risk management programs, or to purchase insurance for whatever coverage it may choose, or to have any combination thereof, to cover all such losses and expenses. However, any attorney’s fees paid from public funds for any officer, employee, or agent who is found to be personally liable by virtue of acting outside the scope of his or her employment or acting in bad faith, with malicious purpose, or in a manner exhibiting wanton and willful disregard of human rights, safety, or property may be recovered by the state, county, municipality, or political subdivision in a civil action against such officer, employee, or agent.

Failure by a ¹community college board of trustees to perform any act authorized by this section shall not constitute a cause of action against a ¹community college or its trustees, officers, employees, or agents.