HB 967 - Florida Victim's Relief Act

• Creates section 90.50355 establishing a confidential communication privilege between human trafficking victims and counselors or trained volunteers, with disclosure allowed only upon written victim consent.

• Amends section 772.104 to authorize courts to award punitive damages to persons proving by clear and convincing evidence they were subjected to sex trafficking or human trafficking.

• Adds subsections (8) and (9) to section 787.06 requiring human trafficking crime victims receive all benefits, rights, and compensation granted by law, and establishing an affirmative defense of duress or coercion for trafficking defendants who are also trafficking victims.

• Creates section 796.095 allowing persons convicted of prostitution or related sex crimes to file a motion to vacate conviction if their participation resulted from being a human trafficking victim, with a 6-year filing deadline and preponderance of evidence standard; minors need not prove force, fraud, or coercion.

• Takes effect October 1, 2013.