THE BILL ITSELF
CS/HB 507
Special Protections in Judicial Proceedings
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A bill to be entitled
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An act relating to special protections in judicial
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proceedings; amending s. 92.55, F.S.; authorizing a
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court to require a pro se defendant to question
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certain victims and witnesses through standby counsel
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at any trial, hearing, or deposition upon specified
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findings; providing an effective date.
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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Section 1. Subsection (7) is added to section 92.55,
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Florida Statutes, to read:
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92.55 Special protections in proceedings involving victim
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or witness under 18, person with intellectual disability, or
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sexual offense victim.—
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(7) Upon motion of any party, upon motion of a parent,
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guardian, attorney, guardian ad litem, or other advocate
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appointed by the court under s. 914.17 for a victim or witness
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under the age of 18, a person who has an intellectual
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disability, or a sexual offense victim or witness, or upon its
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own motion, the court may require a pro se defendant to present,
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ask, or in any way communicate questions to such person, victim,
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or witness through standby counsel, using questions provided or
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approved by the defendant, at any trial, hearing, or deposition
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if the court makes specific findings on the record that such a
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requirement is necessary to protect the person, victim, or
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witness from emotional or mental harm that would result from
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direct communication with the defendant.
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Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.