Florida Senate - 2018                             CS for SB 1628
       
       
        
       By the Committee on Ethics and Elections; and Senators Book,
       Benacquisto, Taddeo, and Rodriguez
       
       
       
       
       582-02643-18                                          20181628c1
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to sexual harassment; amending s.
    3         11.045, F.S.; revising requirements for rules
    4         governing the registration of lobbyists who lobby the
    5         Legislature; creating s. 11.9006, F.S.; creating the
    6         Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment and
    7         Misconduct; requiring that the task force meet at 4
    8         year intervals beginning on a specified date;
    9         providing for the staffing and the composition of the
   10         task force; prescribing duties of and requirements for
   11         the task force; requiring the task force to report its
   12         findings and recommendations to the Governor and the
   13         Legislature before a specified date; authorizing
   14         reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses;
   15         creating s. 112.3126, F.S.; providing definitions;
   16         prohibiting public officers, qualified candidates,
   17         agency employees, and lobbyists from sexually
   18         harassing any person; prohibiting public officers,
   19         qualified candidates, agency employees, and lobbyists
   20         from taking any retaliatory action against an
   21         individual for filing a complaint alleging certain
   22         violations; prohibiting the intentional or reckless
   23         disclosure of identifying information of the
   24         complainant under specified circumstances; requiring
   25         an individual who gains personal knowledge of an
   26         alleged violation to report it to the Commission on
   27         Ethics or the appropriate agency within a specified
   28         timeframe; prohibiting an individual from knowingly or
   29         recklessly filing a materially false complaint;
   30         authorizing an alleged victim to have a victim
   31         advocate and attorney present in any commission
   32         hearings held in response to a complaint or referral;
   33         amending s. 112.313, F.S.; defining the term “favor”;
   34         prohibiting an individual from offering or providing
   35         sexual favors, or offering or engaging in sexual
   36         conduct, in an effort to influence a public officer or
   37         employee or obtain his or her goodwill; defining the
   38         term “benefit”; amending ss. 112.3144 and 112.3145,
   39         F.S.; requiring certification of review of sexual
   40         harassment laws and policies on full and public
   41         disclosure of financial interests or statement of
   42         financial interests beginning on a specified date;
   43         specifying that failure to certify such review does
   44         not constitute an immaterial, inconsequential, or de
   45         minimis error or omission; reenacting and amending s.
   46         112.317, F.S., relating to penalties for violations of
   47         the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees;
   48         specifying penalties for certain violations of the
   49         act; requiring certain penalties to be paid into the
   50         Crimes Compensation Trust Fund; amending s. 112.3215,
   51         F.S.; revising requirements for registration of
   52         lobbyists who register to lobby before the executive
   53         branch or the Constitution Revision Commission;
   54         amending s. 112.324, F.S.; waiving the requirement
   55         that complaints alleging certain violations of the act
   56         be signed under oath or affirmation; authorizing a
   57         designated agency official to refer complaints
   58         alleging sexual harassment or sexual misconduct to the
   59         Commission on Ethics; specifying that the personal
   60         identifying information of an alleged victim of sexual
   61         harassment contained in a complaint or referral and in
   62         related materials remains confidential and exempt from
   63         public records requirements; requiring the commission
   64         to report its findings and recommendations to the
   65         proper disciplinary official or body upon finding a
   66         violation of the act; requiring the proper
   67         disciplinary official or body to impose penalties
   68         within a specified timeframe; providing an effective
   69         date.
   70          
   71  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   72  
   73         Section 1. Present paragraphs (a) through (g) of subsection
   74  (2) of section 11.045, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
   75  paragraphs (b) through (h), respectively, and a new paragraph
   76  (a) is added to that subsection, to read:
   77         11.045 Lobbying before the Legislature; registration and
   78  reporting; exemptions; penalties.—
   79         (2) Each house of the Legislature shall provide by rule, or
   80  may provide by a joint rule adopted by both houses, for the
   81  registration of lobbyists who lobby the Legislature. The rule
   82  may provide for the payment of a registration fee. The rule may
   83  provide for exemptions from registration or registration fees.
   84  The rule shall provide that:
   85         (a) Each lobbyist shall certify, upon registration, that he
   86  or she has read the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and
   87  Employees in part III of chapter 112, and that he or she has
   88  read the rules governing conduct of members of the Legislature
   89  and legislative lobbyists.
   90         Section 2. Section 11.9006, Florida Statutes, is created to
   91  read:
   92         11.9006 Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment
   93  and Misconduct.—
   94         (1) There is created the Task Force on the Prevention of
   95  Sexual Harassment and Misconduct. The task force shall convene
   96  no later than July 2018, and at least every 4 years thereafter.
   97  The task force shall meet as many times as is necessary in order
   98  to complete its duties prescribed under subsections (4) and (5).
   99  The task force is created for the express purpose of studying
  100  the problem of sexual harassment and misconduct and examining
  101  best practices to prevent sexual harassment and misconduct,
  102  particularly in government settings and as applied to the
  103  conduct of public officers, candidates for public office, agency
  104  employees, and lobbyists. The task force is created within the
  105  legislative branch for administrative purposes only. The
  106  Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
  107  House of Representatives shall assign staff to assist the task
  108  force in the performance of its duties.
  109         (2) The task force is composed of the following
  110  individuals:
  111         (a) One member of the Senate and one full-time employee of
  112  the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate.
  113         (b) One member of the House of Representatives and one
  114  full-time employee of the House of Representatives, appointed by
  115  the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
  116         (c) One member appointed by the Governor.
  117         (d) One member representing the Florida Council Against
  118  Sexual Violence, appointed by the council’s executive director.
  119         (e) One member representing the Florida Association of
  120  Counties, appointed by the association’s president.
  121         (f) One representative representing the Florida League of
  122  Cities, appointed by the organization’s president.
  123         (g) One representative of the Florida Association of
  124  Professional Lobbyists, appointed by the association’s chair.
  125         (h) One representative of the Florida Press Association,
  126  appointed by the association’s chair.
  127         (i) One representative of the Florida Behavioral Health
  128  Association, appointed by the association’s chair.
  129  
  130  In selecting appointments, each appointing authority must
  131  consider the diversity of the members of the task force. Any
  132  vacancy in the membership of the task force shall be filled in
  133  the same manner as the original appointment.
  134         (3) The members of the task force shall designate a chair
  135  at their first meeting. Meetings of the task force may be held
  136  via teleconferences or other electronic means.
  137         (4) At a minimum, the task force shall examine:
  138         (a) The adequacy of current methods of reporting
  139  complaints, and the investigations thereof, of sexual harassment
  140  or misconduct.
  141         (b) Current procedures regarding the maintenance of the
  142  confidentiality of complaints, investigations, and the identity
  143  of victims.
  144         (c) Victims’ ability to obtain support, care, and
  145  assistance.
  146         (d) The adequacy of measures currently available to hold
  147  offenders accountable.
  148         (e) Any training and educational programs addressing sexual
  149  harassment or misconduct currently offered by governmental
  150  entities and whether further changes are needed to such programs
  151  to increase their effectiveness.
  152         (f) Measures taken in other states to reduce the incidence
  153  of sexual harassment or misconduct involving public officers,
  154  candidates, and agency employees and to protect the rights of
  155  victims.
  156         (5) The task force shall report its findings and
  157  recommendations, including any recommendations for proposed
  158  legislative changes, to the Governor, the President of the
  159  Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by
  160  January 15 before the next regular session of the Legislature.
  161         (6) Members of the task force shall serve without
  162  compensation, but members are entitled to reimbursement for per
  163  diem and travel expenses in accordance with s. 112.061 to be
  164  paid by the appointing authority.
  165         Section 3. Section 112.3126, Florida Statutes, is created
  166  to read:
  167         112.3126 Prohibition on sexual harassment.—
  168         (1) As used in this section, the term:
  169         (a) “Lobbyist” means a person who:
  170         1. Is required to register to lobby before the legislative
  171  branch pursuant to s. 11.045;
  172         2. Is required to register to lobby before the executive
  173  branch or the Constitution Revision Commission pursuant to s.
  174  112.3215; or
  175         3. For compensation, seeks to influence a political
  176  subdivision with respect to a decision of the political
  177  subdivision, or an agency thereof, with respect to policy or
  178  procurement, or attempts to obtain the goodwill of an official
  179  or employee of a political subdivision.
  180         (b) “Sexually harass” includes an unwelcome sexual advance;
  181  a request for a sexual favor; or any other conduct of a sexual
  182  nature by a public officer, a candidate who has qualified for
  183  public office, an employee of an agency, or a lobbyist which is
  184  directed toward any individual when:
  185         1. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or
  186  implicitly a term or condition of the individual’s employment;
  187         2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an
  188  individual is used as the basis for how the public officer,
  189  candidate, agency employee, or lobbyist makes decisions relating
  190  to his or her position which affect such individual; or
  191         3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of creating an
  192  intimidating, a hostile, or an offensive working environment.
  193         (2) A public officer, a candidate who has qualified to run
  194  for public office, an agency employee, or a lobbyist may not
  195  sexually harass any individual, regardless of whether an
  196  employment relationship exists.
  197         (3) A public officer, a candidate who has qualified to run
  198  for public office, an agency employee, or a lobbyist may not
  199  take any retaliatory action against an individual for filing a
  200  complaint alleging a violation of this section or a violation of
  201  s. 112.313(2) or (6) involving sexual favors or sexual conduct.
  202  An individual may not intentionally or recklessly disclose
  203  information that may be used to identify an individual who
  204  alleged any such violation without obtaining the individual’s
  205  consent.
  206         (4)Upon learning of an alleged violation of subsection (2)
  207  or an alleged violation of s. 112.313(2) or (6) involving sexual
  208  favors or sexual conduct, an individual who gains personal
  209  knowledge of the alleged violation shall report it to the
  210  commission or to a designated individual in the appropriate
  211  agency in accordance with applicable rules and administrative
  212  policies within 10 business days.
  213         (5) An individual may not knowingly or recklessly file a
  214  materially false complaint alleging a violation of this section
  215  or a violation of s. 112.313(2) or (6) involving sexual favors
  216  or sexual conduct.
  217         (6) An alleged victim of a violation of subsection (2) or
  218  (3) is entitled to have a victim advocate and an attorney
  219  present in commission hearings that are held in response to a
  220  complaint or referral.
  221         Section 4. Subsections (2) and (6) of section 112.313,
  222  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  223         112.313 Standards of conduct for public officers, employees
  224  of agencies, and local government attorneys.—
  225         (2) SOLICITATION OR ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS.—
  226         (a) As used in this subsection, the term “favor” includes
  227  sexual favors and sexual conduct.
  228         (b)A No public officer, an employee of an agency, a local
  229  government attorney, or a candidate for nomination or election
  230  may not shall solicit or accept anything of value to the
  231  recipient, including a gift, loan, reward, promise of future
  232  employment, favor, or service, based upon any understanding that
  233  the vote, official action, or judgment of the public officer,
  234  employee, local government attorney, or candidate would be
  235  influenced thereby.
  236         (c)In an effort to influence a public officer’s or
  237  employee’s official actions or judgment, or to obtain his or her
  238  goodwill, an individual may not:
  239         1. Offer or provide sexual favors to a public officer or
  240  employee;
  241         2. Offer to engage or engage in sexual conduct with a
  242  public officer or employee; or
  243         3. Direct another individual to perform an activity
  244  prohibited under subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2.
  245         (6) MISUSE OF PUBLIC POSITION.—No public officer, employee
  246  of an agency, or local government attorney shall corruptly use
  247  or attempt to use his or her official position or any property
  248  or resource which may be within his or her trust, or perform his
  249  or her official duties, to secure a special privilege, benefit,
  250  or exemption for himself, herself, or others. This section shall
  251  not be construed to conflict with s. 104.31. For purposes of
  252  this subsection, the term “benefit” includes sexual favors and
  253  sexual conduct.
  254         Section 5. Subsection (1) and paragraph (c) of subsection
  255  (8) of section 112.3144, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  256         112.3144 Full and public disclosure of financial
  257  interests.—
  258         (1) An officer who is required by s. 8, Art. II of the
  259  State Constitution to file a full and public disclosure of his
  260  or her financial interests for any calendar or fiscal year shall
  261  file that disclosure with the Florida Commission on Ethics.
  262  Additionally, beginning January 1, 2015, An officer who is
  263  required to complete annual ethics training pursuant to s.
  264  112.3142 must certify on his or her full and public disclosure
  265  of financial interests that he or she has completed the required
  266  ethics training. Additionally, beginning January 1, 2019, any
  267  person who is required to file a full and public disclosure of
  268  financial interests must certify on his or her disclosure that
  269  he or she has reviewed all applicable laws and policies
  270  regarding sexual harassment.
  271         (8)
  272         (c) For purposes of this section, an error or omission is
  273  immaterial, inconsequential, or de minimis if the original
  274  filing provided sufficient information for the public to
  275  identify potential conflicts of interest. However, failure to
  276  certify review of applicable sexual harassment laws and policies
  277  or completion of annual ethics training required under s.
  278  112.3142 does not constitute an immaterial, inconsequential, or
  279  de minimis error or omission.
  280         Section 6. Subsection (4) and paragraph (c) of subsection
  281  (10) of section 112.3145, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  282         112.3145 Disclosure of financial interests and clients
  283  represented before agencies.—
  284         (4) Beginning January 1, 2015, An officer who is required
  285  to complete annual ethics training pursuant to s. 112.3142 must
  286  certify on his or her statement of financial interests that he
  287  or she has completed the required training. Additionally,
  288  beginning January 1, 2019, any person who is required to file a
  289  statement of financial interests must certify on his or her
  290  statement that he or she has reviewed all applicable law and
  291  policies regarding sexual harassment.
  292         (10)
  293         (c) For purposes of this section, an error or omission is
  294  immaterial, inconsequential, or de minimis if the original
  295  filing provided sufficient information for the public to
  296  identify potential conflicts of interest. However, failure to
  297  certify review of sexual harassment law and policies or
  298  completion of annual ethics training required under s. 112.3142
  299  does not constitute an immaterial, inconsequential, or de
  300  minimis error or omission.
  301         Section 7. Section 112.317, Florida Statutes, is reenacted
  302  and amended to read:
  303         112.317 Penalties.—
  304         (1) Any violation of this part, including, but not limited
  305  to, failure to file disclosures required by this part or
  306  violation of any standard of conduct imposed by this part, or
  307  any violation of s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution, in
  308  addition to any criminal penalty or other civil penalty
  309  involved, under applicable constitutional and statutory
  310  procedures, constitutes grounds for, and may be punished by, one
  311  or more of the following:
  312         (a) In the case of a public officer:
  313         1. Impeachment.
  314         2. Removal from office.
  315         3. Suspension from office.
  316         4. Public censure and reprimand.
  317         5. Forfeiture of no more than one-third of his or her
  318  salary per month for no more than 12 months.
  319         6. A civil penalty not to exceed $10,000, except as
  320  provided in paragraph (f).
  321         7. Restitution of any pecuniary benefits received because
  322  of the violation committed. The commission may recommend that
  323  the restitution penalty be paid to the agency of which the
  324  public officer was a member or to the General Revenue Fund.
  325         (b) In the case of an employee or a person designated as a
  326  public officer by this part who otherwise would be deemed to be
  327  an employee:
  328         1. Dismissal from employment.
  329         2. Suspension from employment for not more than 90 days
  330  without pay.
  331         3. Demotion.
  332         4. Reduction in his or her salary level.
  333         5. Forfeiture of no more than one-third salary per month
  334  for no more than 12 months.
  335         6. A civil penalty not to exceed $10,000, except as
  336  provided in paragraph (f).
  337         7. Restitution of any pecuniary benefits received because
  338  of the violation committed. The commission may recommend that
  339  the restitution penalty be paid to the agency by which the
  340  public employee was employed, or of which the officer was deemed
  341  to be an employee, or to the General Revenue Fund.
  342         8. Public censure and reprimand.
  343         (c) In the case of a candidate who violates this part or s.
  344  8(a) and (i), Art. II of the State Constitution:
  345         1. Disqualification from being on the ballot.
  346         2. Public censure.
  347         3. Reprimand.
  348         4. A civil penalty not to exceed $10,000, except as
  349  provided in paragraph (f).
  350         (d) In the case of a former public officer or employee who
  351  has violated a provision applicable to former officers or
  352  employees or whose violation occurred before the officer’s or
  353  employee’s leaving public office or employment:
  354         1. Public censure and reprimand.
  355         2. A civil penalty not to exceed $10,000, except as
  356  provided in paragraph (f).
  357         3. Restitution of any pecuniary benefits received because
  358  of the violation committed. The commission may recommend that
  359  the restitution penalty be paid to the agency of the public
  360  officer or employee or to the General Revenue Fund.
  361         (e) In the case of a person who is subject to the standards
  362  of this part, other than a lobbyist or lobbying firm under s.
  363  112.3215 for a violation of s. 112.3215, but who is not a public
  364  officer or employee:
  365         1. Public censure and reprimand.
  366         2. A civil penalty not to exceed $10,000, except as
  367  provided in paragraph (f).
  368         3. Restitution of any pecuniary benefits received because
  369  of the violation committed. The commission may recommend that
  370  the restitution penalty be paid to the agency of the person or
  371  to the General Revenue Fund.
  372         (f) In addition to any other penalties authorized by this
  373  subsection, in any case in which the commission finds that a
  374  violation of s. 112.3126(2); s. 112.3126(3); or s. 112.313(2) or
  375  (6) based on sexual favors or sexual conduct, has occurred:
  376         1. A civil penalty of at least $5,000 per violation up to a
  377  maximum penalty of $20,000 per violation.
  378         2. The violator is liable for any costs associated with the
  379  services of a victim advocate and for reasonable attorney fees
  380  before the commission which are incurred by the victim of the
  381  prohibited conduct.
  382  
  383  Any civil penalty imposed pursuant to this paragraph must be
  384  paid to the Crimes Compensation Trust Fund within the Department
  385  of Legal Affairs.
  386         (g) In the case of an individual who is a lobbyist as that
  387  term is defined in s. 112.3126 and who violates s. 112.3126(2);
  388  s. 112.3126(3); or s. 112.313(2) or (6) based on sexual favors
  389  or sexual conduct, in addition to any penalties imposed under
  390  paragraph (e) or (f), the violator may be prohibited from
  391  lobbying for a specified period, including permanent revocation
  392  of lobbying privileges.
  393         (2) In any case in which the commission finds a violation
  394  of this part or of s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution and
  395  the proper disciplinary official or body under s. 112.324
  396  imposes a civil penalty or restitution penalty, the Attorney
  397  General shall bring a civil action to recover such penalty. No
  398  defense may be raised in the civil action to enforce the civil
  399  penalty or order of restitution that could have been raised by
  400  judicial review of the administrative findings and
  401  recommendations of the commission by certiorari to the district
  402  court of appeal. The Attorney General shall collect any costs,
  403  attorney fees, expert witness fees, or other costs of collection
  404  incurred in bringing the action.
  405         (3) The penalties prescribed in this part shall not be
  406  construed to limit or to conflict with:
  407         (a) The power of either house of the Legislature to
  408  discipline its own members or impeach a public officer.
  409         (b) The power of agencies to discipline officers or
  410  employees.
  411         (4) Any violation of this part or of s. 8, Art. II of the
  412  State Constitution by a public officer constitutes malfeasance,
  413  misfeasance, or neglect of duty in office within the meaning of
  414  s. 7, Art. IV of the State Constitution.
  415         (5) By order of the Governor, upon recommendation of the
  416  commission, any elected municipal officer who violates this part
  417  or s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution may be suspended from
  418  office and the office filled by appointment for the period of
  419  suspension. The suspended officer may at any time before removal
  420  be reinstated by the Governor. The Senate may, in proceedings
  421  prescribed by law, remove from office, or reinstate, the
  422  suspended official, and for such purpose the Senate may be
  423  convened in special session by its President or by a majority of
  424  its membership.
  425         (6) In any case in which the commission finds probable
  426  cause to believe that a complainant has committed perjury in
  427  regard to any document filed with, or any testimony given
  428  before, the commission, it shall refer such evidence to the
  429  appropriate law enforcement agency for prosecution and taxation
  430  of costs.
  431         (7) In any case in which the commission determines that a
  432  person has filed a complaint against a public officer or
  433  employee with a malicious intent to injure the reputation of
  434  such officer or employee by filing the complaint with knowledge
  435  that the complaint contains one or more false allegations or
  436  with reckless disregard for whether the complaint contains false
  437  allegations of fact material to a violation of this part, the
  438  complainant shall be liable for costs plus reasonable attorney
  439  fees incurred in the defense of the person complained against,
  440  including the costs and reasonable attorney fees incurred in
  441  proving entitlement to and the amount of costs and fees. If the
  442  complainant fails to pay such costs and fees voluntarily within
  443  30 days following such finding by the commission, the commission
  444  shall forward such information to the Department of Legal
  445  Affairs, which shall bring a civil action in a court of
  446  competent jurisdiction to recover the amount of such costs and
  447  fees awarded by the commission.
  448         Section 8. Present paragraphs (a) through (e) of subsection
  449  (3) of section 112.3215, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
  450  paragraphs (b) through (f), respectively, and a new paragraph
  451  (a) is added to that subsection, to read:
  452         112.3215 Lobbying before the executive branch or the
  453  Constitution Revision Commission; registration and reporting;
  454  investigation by commission.—
  455         (3) A person may not lobby an agency until such person has
  456  registered as a lobbyist with the commission. Such registration
  457  shall be due upon initially being retained to lobby and is
  458  renewable on a calendar year basis thereafter. Upon registration
  459  the person shall provide a statement signed by the principal or
  460  principal’s representative that the registrant is authorized to
  461  represent the principal. The principal shall also identify and
  462  designate its main business on the statement authorizing that
  463  lobbyist pursuant to a classification system approved by the
  464  commission. The registration shall require each lobbyist to
  465  disclose, under oath, the following information:
  466         (a) Each lobbyist shall certify that he or she has read the
  467  Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees contained in
  468  this part, and that he or she has read any rules governing the
  469  conduct of agency officials and lobbyists who lobby before an
  470  agency.
  471         Section 9. Present subsections (9) through (12) of section
  472  112.324, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (10)
  473  through (13), respectively, paragraphs (f) and (g) of subsection
  474  (2) of that section are redesignated as paragraphs (g) and (h),
  475  respectively, and a new paragraph (f) is added to that
  476  subsection, subsections (1) and (8) of that section are amended,
  477  and a new subsection (9) is added to that section, to read:
  478         112.324 Procedures on complaints of violations and
  479  referrals; public records and meeting exemptions.—
  480         (1) The commission shall investigate an alleged violation
  481  of this part or other alleged breach of the public trust within
  482  the jurisdiction of the commission as provided in s. 8(f), Art.
  483  II of the State Constitution:
  484         (a) Upon a written complaint executed on a form prescribed
  485  by the commission and signed under oath or affirmation by any
  486  person; or
  487         (b) Upon a written complaint executed on a form prescribed
  488  by the commission, if a violation of s. 112.313(2) or (6)
  489  involving sexual favors or sexual conduct or s. 112.3126 is
  490  alleged; or
  491         (c) Upon receipt of a written referral of a possible
  492  violation of this part or other possible breach of the public
  493  trust from the Governor, the Department of Law Enforcement, a
  494  state attorney, any person designated by an agency to accept
  495  complaints of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct, or a
  496  United States Attorney which at least six members of the
  497  commission determine is sufficient to indicate a violation of
  498  this part or any other breach of the public trust.
  499  
  500  Within 5 days after receipt of a complaint by the commission or
  501  a determination by at least six members of the commission that
  502  the referral received is deemed sufficient, a copy shall be
  503  transmitted to the alleged violator.
  504         (2)
  505         (f) The personal identifying information of an alleged
  506  victim of a violation of s. 112.313(2) or (6) involving sexual
  507  favors or sexual conduct or s. 112.3126 contained in a complaint
  508  or referral, and all materials relating to the complaint or
  509  referral, remain confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and
  510  s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution as provided under s.
  511  119.071(2)(n).
  512         (8) If, in cases other than complaints or referrals against
  513  impeachable officers or members of the Legislature, upon
  514  completion of a full and final investigation by the commission,
  515  the commission finds that there has been a violation of this
  516  part or of s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution, it is the
  517  duty of the commission to report its findings and recommend
  518  appropriate action to the proper disciplinary official or body
  519  as follows, and such official or body has the power to invoke
  520  the penalty provisions of this part, including the power to
  521  order the appropriate elections official to remove a candidate
  522  from the ballot for a violation of s. 112.3145 or s. 8(a) and
  523  (i), Art. II of the State Constitution:
  524         (a) The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the
  525  House of Representatives, jointly, in any case concerning the
  526  Public Counsel, members of the Public Service Commission,
  527  members of the Public Service Commission Nominating Council, the
  528  Auditor General, or the director of the Office of Program Policy
  529  Analysis and Government Accountability.
  530         (b) The Supreme Court, in any case concerning an employee
  531  of the judicial branch.
  532         (c) The President of the Senate, in any case concerning an
  533  employee of the Senate; the Speaker of the House of
  534  Representatives, in any case concerning an employee of the House
  535  of Representatives; the President or the Speaker, in any case
  536  concerning a person who is required to register as a lobbyist
  537  under s. 11.045 for violations of s. 112.313(2) or (6) which
  538  involve sexual favors or sexual conduct or s. 112.3126; or the
  539  President and the Speaker, jointly, in any case concerning an
  540  employee of a committee of the Legislature whose members are
  541  appointed solely by the President and the Speaker or in any case
  542  concerning an employee of the Public Counsel, Public Service
  543  Commission, Auditor General, or Office of Program Policy
  544  Analysis and Government Accountability.
  545         (d) The Governor and the Cabinet, in any case concerning a
  546  person who is required to register as a lobbyist under s.
  547  112.3215 for violations of s. 112.313(2) or (6) which involve
  548  sexual favors or sexual conduct or s. 112.3126. Additionally, a
  549  political subdivision may suspend or revoke the lobbying
  550  privileges of any person authorized to lobby that political
  551  subdivision if he or she has been found to have violated s.
  552  112.313(2) or (6) involving sexual favors or sexual conduct or
  553  s. 112.3126.
  554         (e) Except as otherwise provided by this part, the
  555  Governor, in the case of any other public officer, public
  556  employee, former public officer or public employee, candidate or
  557  former candidate, or person who is not a public officer or
  558  employee, other than lobbyists and lobbying firms under s.
  559  112.3215 for violations of s. 112.3215.
  560         (f)(e) The President of the Senate or the Speaker of the
  561  House of Representatives, whichever is applicable, in any case
  562  concerning a former member of the Legislature who has violated a
  563  provision applicable to former members or whose violation
  564  occurred while a member of the Legislature.
  565         (9) The proper disciplinary body or official, as designated
  566  by this section, shall impose any penalty for a violation of s.
  567  112.313(2) or (6) which involve sexual favors or sexual conduct,
  568  s. 112.3126(2), or s. 112.3126(3), within 90 days after the date
  569  of transmittal of the commission’s findings.
  570         Section 10. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.