Senate Bill 1706

    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 1706

    By Senator Meek





    36-573-00

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to defamation actions; allowing

  3         law enforcement officers to bring defamation

  4         actions against persons who have filed certain

  5         false complaints against the officers;

  6         providing an effective date.

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  8  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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10         Section 1.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law,

11  a law enforcement officer may bring an action for defamation

12  against a person who has filed a complaint with that officer's

13  employing agency alleging misconduct, criminal conduct, or

14  incompetence if the complaint is false, was made with

15  knowledge that it was false, and was made with spite, hatred,

16  or ill will. Knowledge that the complaint is false may be

17  proven by showing that the complainant had no reasonable

18  grounds for believing the statement was true and that the

19  complainant exhibited a reckless disregard for ascertaining

20  the truth.

21         Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2000.

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24                          SENATE SUMMARY

25    Allows a law enforcement officer to bring a defamation
      action against a person who has filed certain false
26    complaints against the officer.

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