FL H3501

Appropriates $1.9 million from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Financial Services for compensation to Barney Brown for his wrongful incarceration.

Barney Brown was convicted of rape in Miami-Dade County in 1970 and sentenced to life in prison despite a prior juvenile court acquittal for the same charges, and his conviction was vacated in September 2008 after serving 38 years due to significant doubt about his guilt.

The $1.9 million award is designated as the sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from Brown's arrest, conviction, and incarceration, with no further awards permitted for attorney fees, lobbying fees, or other costs.

The act does not waive the state's sovereign immunity defense or increase liability limits under Florida Statutes section 768.28 or any other law.

The act takes effect upon becoming law.