CS/CS/HB 693 - Summary

• Revises Florida's arbitration law by replacing the "Florida Arbitration Code" with the "Revised Florida Arbitration Code" effective July 1, 2013, with a transition period allowing pre-2013 agreements to operate under old law until June 30, 2016

• Establishes comprehensive arbitration procedures including definitions, notice requirements, arbitrator disclosure obligations, provisional remedies, and discovery rules comparable to civil litigation standards

• Prohibits courts from refusing arbitration based on claim merit and allows arbitrators to award punitive damages and attorney fees when authorized by law; requires detailed findings if provisional remedies are awarded

• Creates new provisions for judicial enforcement of arbitrator preaward rulings, consolidation of separate arbitration proceedings, and immunity protections for arbitrators and arbitration organizations

• Excludes child custody, visitation, and child support disputes from arbitration; applies the revised code to workers' compensation arbitration, homeowners' construction disputes, and will/trust arbitration provisions