HB 1617: Public Emergencies and Assistance Summary

• Remote Participation: Authorizes Florida Legislature and local governmental entities to use remote technology systems for committee meetings and proceedings during declared states of emergency or public health emergencies.

• Tenant Protections: Tolls eviction proceedings and prohibits rent increases, late fees, or lease terminations during declared public health emergencies; requires landlords to offer payment plans for past-due rent.

• Emergency Paid Leave: Requires employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide up to 80 hours of paid sick leave and 10 weeks of paid expanded family/medical leave for employees unable to work due to quarantine, illness, or childcare closures related to infectious disease.

• Tax Credits and Economic Support: Creates tax credit programs for businesses donating to legal aid organizations ($10,000), social services/homeless shelters ($10,000), and farmers donating edible crops (30% credit up to $5,000).

• Liability Protections and COVID-19 Coverage: Provides liability immunity for businesses, schools, and institutions that make good faith efforts to comply with government health guidelines; establishes workers' compensation presumption for COVID-19 contracted during employment for certain professions.