Florida legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Florida H507: Special Protections in Judicial Proceedings
Status: Failed, March 13, 2026
Authorizes court to require pro se defendant to question certain victims & witnesses through standby counsel at any trial, hearing, or deposition upon specified findings.
What the bill says
An act relating to special protections in judicial proceedings; amending s. 92.55, F.S.; authorizing a court to require a pro se defendant to question certain victims and witnesses through standby counsel at any trial, hearing, or deposition upon specified findings; providing an effective date.
From the introduced text, January 14, 2026:
A bill to be entitled An act relating to special protections in judicial proceedings; amending s. 92.55, F.S.; authorizing a court to require a pro se defendant to question certain victims and witnesses through standby counsel at any trial, hearing, or deposition upon specified findings; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Subsection (7) is added to section 92.55, Florida Statutes, to read: 92.55 Special protections in proceedings involving victim or witness under 18, person with intellectual disability, or sexual offense victim.-- (7) Upon motion of any party, upon motion of a parent, guardian, attorney, guardian ad litem, or other advocate appointed by the court under s. 914.17 for a victim or witness under the age of 18, a person who has an intellectual disability, or a sexual offense victim or witness, or upon its own motion, the court may require a pro se defendant to present, ask, or in any way communicate questions to such person, victim, or witness through standby counsel, using questions provided or approved by the defendant, at any trial, hearing, or deposition if the court makes specific findings on the record that such a words underlined are additions. hb507-01-c1 FLORIDAHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES CS/HB 507 2026 requirement is necessary to protect the person, victim, or witness from emotional …
Sponsors
- Baker, Jessica (R, HD-017) · primary sponsor
- Baker (R, 17) · primary sponsor
- Grow, J.J. (R, HD-023)
- Grow (R, 23)
- López, Johanna (D, HD-043)
- Yarkosky, Taylor (R, HD-025)
- Yarkosky (R, 25)
Latest actions
- : Died in Judiciary Committee
- : Now in Judiciary Committee
- : Referred to Judiciary Committee
- : 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
- : CS Filed
- : Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
- : Reported out of Criminal Justice Subcommittee
- : Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice Subcommittee
- : 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
- : Added to Criminal Justice Subcommittee agenda
Votes
- House: Criminal Justice Subcommittee (January 14, 2026): 16 yea, 1 nay, passed
- House: Criminal Justice Subcommittee (January 14, 2026): 16 yea, 1 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H507?
- H507 is a bill in the Florida Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Special Protections in Judicial Proceedings.
- What does H507 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to special protections in judicial proceedings; amending s. 92.55, F.S.; authorizing a court to require a pro se defendant to question certain victims and witnesses through standby counsel at any trial, hearing, or deposition upon specified findings; providing an effective date.
- What is the status of H507?
- Failed as of March 13, 2026. Latest action: Died in Judiciary Committee (March 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored H507?
- Baker, Jessica (R, HD-017), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H507?
- On the Florida Legislature website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/507
Source: official Florida record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.