CS/HB 1237 Summary

• Regulates advertising by legal and medical referral services that refer motor vehicle accident victims to lawyers, law firms, or health care providers, requiring compliance with specific content standards and Florida Bar rules.

• Prohibits false, misleading, or deceptive communications in referral advertisements, including material misrepresentations, unsubstantiated claims, testimonials by actors without disclaimers, and references to public safety officers or emblems without written consent.

• Requires lawyer referral service advertisements to be filed with The Florida Bar with a signed affidavit affirming compliance with Bar rules and imposing liability for violations.

• Mandates written disclosure of any financial interests or relationships between referral services and the lawyers or health care providers to whom they refer clients.

• Establishes civil penalties of $1,000 for first violations and $5,000 for subsequent violations, plus criminal penalties for knowing violations after court findings, unfair trade practice liability, and private rights of action for injured parties to recover damages and attorney's fees.