H 507

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  CS/HB 507  2026
1A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to special protections in judicial
3proceedings; amending s. 92.55, F.S.; authorizing a
4court to require a pro se defendant to question
5certain victims and witnesses through standby counsel
6at any trial, hearing, or deposition upon specified
7findings; providing an effective date.
8
9    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
10
11Section 1.  Subsection (7) is added to section 92.55,
12Florida Statutes, to read:
1392.55       Special protections in proceedings involving victim
14or witness under 18, person with intellectual disability, or
15sexual offense victim.—
16(7)     Upon motion of any party, upon motion of a parent,
17guardian, attorney, guardian ad litem, or other advocate
18appointed by the court under s. 914.17 for a victim or witness
19under the age of 18, a person who has an intellectual
20disability, or a sexual offense victim or witness, or upon its
21own motion, the court may require a pro se defendant to present,
22ask, or in any way communicate questions to such person, victim,
23or witness through standby counsel, using questions provided or
24approved by the defendant, at any trial, hearing, or deposition
25if the court makes specific findings on the record that such a
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 CS/HB 507  2026
26    requirement is necessary to protect the person, victim, or
27    witness from emotional or mental harm that would result from
28    direct communication with the defendant.
29Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
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