HB 6505 Summary

• Appropriates $817,000 from the General Revenue Fund to compensate Leonard Cure for 16 years of wrongful incarceration for a 2003 armed robbery conviction that was vacated in December 2020 based on findings he was "most likely innocent."

• Directs the Chief Financial Officer to pay the $817,000 directly to Mr. Cure without requiring him to sign a liability release.

• Waives tuition and fees for Mr. Cure for up to 120 hours of instruction at Florida career centers, Florida College System institutions, or state universities, provided he meets admission requirements and maintains satisfactory academic progress.

• Prohibits Mr. Cure from using awarded funds for attorney or lobbying fees and bars him from applying for compensation under Florida's standard wrongful incarceration statute (chapter 961) after receiving this payment.

• Requires Mr. Cure to reimburse the state if he later receives a civil judgment or settlement related to his wrongful incarceration, with reimbursement capped at the amount of damages awarded, and voids remaining benefits if future evidence shows his participation in the original crime.