Florida Senate - 2011                                    SB 1612
       
       
       
       By Senator Richter
       
       
       
       
       37-00532-11                                           20111612__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to regulation of the paralegal
    3         profession; requiring the Florida Supreme Court to
    4         establish a program to require the licensure of
    5         paralegals practicing in this state; requiring that
    6         the Supreme Court establish minimum standards and
    7         qualifications and provide for continuing education,
    8         certification, and professional conduct; requiring the
    9         Supreme Court to create an independent board to assist
   10         in the regulation of paralegals; providing penalties
   11         for unlicensed practice; providing an effective date.
   12  
   13  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   14  
   15         Section 1. (1) The Florida Supreme Court shall establish a
   16  program to require the licensure of paralegals practicing in
   17  this state.
   18         (2) The program shall define the scope of paralegal
   19  practice; provide mandatory minimum standards and procedures for
   20  initial qualifications; and provide requirements for continuing
   21  education, certification, and professional conduct.
   22         (3) The Supreme Court shall establish fees for application
   23  for licensure and license renewal, which may not exceed $100
   24  each. The revenues generated from such fees shall be used solely
   25  to administer the program and shall be set at a level that does
   26  not exceed the amount necessary to ensure the continued
   27  operation of the program.
   28         (4) The Supreme Court shall create an independent board to
   29  adopt rules, establish procedures, and assist the Supreme Court
   30  in administering this section.
   31         (5) Upon implementation of the program, any person who
   32  practices as a paralegal in this state without first obtaining a
   33  license, holds himself or herself out as a paralegal, or uses
   34  the title “paralegal” without being licensed as a paralegal in
   35  this state commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as
   36  provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, Florida
   37  Statutes.
   38         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2011.