FL H0575

Adds "geologist" to the definition of "design professional" in Florida law for architects, interior designers, landscape architects, engineers, and surveyors.

Creates new Section 558.0035 allowing design professionals employed by business entities to avoid individual liability for negligence damages if the contract meets five conditions: contract is with business entity not individual, contract excludes individual employee name, includes prominent uppercase warning about liability limitation, business maintains required insurance, and damages are solely economic.

Amends professional licensing statutes (sections 471.023, 472.021, 481.219, 481.319, and 492.111) to add "except as provided in s. 558.0035" to existing personal liability provisions for engineers, surveyors, architects, landscape architects, and geologists.

Defines "business entity" to include corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, proprietorships, firms, franchises, associations, self-employed individuals, and trusts operating in Florida.

Effective date: July 1, 2013.