HB 1571 Summary

• Establishes the "Florida Jobs Retention Act of 2021" with requirements for employers with 75+ employees performing customer service or back-office operations who have received state grants, loans, or tax benefits.

• Requires covered employers intending to relocate out of state or cease operations to notify the Department of Business and Professional Regulation at least 180 days in advance; department must publish a semiannual list of relocating employers.

• Makes employers on the relocation list ineligible for any state grants, loans, or tax benefits for 5 years and requires them to return the prorated value of previously received state support, with limited exceptions for substantial job loss or environmental harm.

• Mandates state agencies ensure all customer service work by state contractors occurs within Florida, with existing out-of-state contractors having 2 years to comply and new customer service employees required to be hired in-state immediately.

• Protects worker benefits by prohibiting withholding of unemployment compensation, disability payments, or retraining funds for employees of relocating or ceasing employers; takes effect 240 days after enactment.