FL H0377

Increases minimum damages for willful denial of official records access from $50 per day (max 10 days) to $500, up to 30 days, and allows members to sue community association managers or management firms directly for such violations.

Requires annual reporting to the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes by November 22, 2018, with information on association legal name, federal employer ID, addresses, number of parcels, revenues, and expenses; extends reporting requirement expiration to July 1, 2028.

Prohibits fines of less than $1,000 from becoming liens against parcels and establishes that fines cannot be reimbursed to community association managers or management firms.

Provides for presuit mediation and binding arbitration by the department for election and recall disputes, and allows binding arbitration for covenant, assessment, and records disputes; requires mediators and arbitrators to be county court or circuit court certified.

Creates new sections authorizing the department to provide training and educational programs for association members and directors, and granting the department authority to enforce compliance with homeowners' association law and investigate complaints.

Requires sellers to provide prospective buyers with association governing documents at least 7 days before closing, allowing buyers to terminate contracts within 3 days of receipt.

Allows nondeveloper parcel owners to sue developers for abandonment of amenities or infrastructure maintenance and for unauthorized use of association funds; limits lawsuits to 5 years after closing.