Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressAugust 25, 2017

The Reflections treatment center looked like just the place for Michelle Holley’s youngest daughter to kick heroin. Instead, as with dozens of other addiction treatment centers in Florida, the owner was more interested in defrauding insurance companies by keeping his patients hooked, her family says. “It looked fine. They were saying all the right things […]

Les NeuhausMarch 21, 2017

A litany of bills Tuesday show legislators intend to crack the whip on several social, criminal and commercial problems affecting the state. Each bill passed the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, covering issues as wide ranging as child predators, domestic violence, addiction recovery homes, skimming devices, the department of corrections, probation, terrorism — and protection of […]

Michael MolineMarch 10, 2017

Tom-Leek-House-District-25-e1456877951905-1024x1024.jpg

Legislation beginning to work its way through the House and Senate would help businesses voluntarily comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act — and possibly avoid “drive-by lawsuits” targeting noncompliance. “The ADA was taken away from Americans with disabilities by a handful of law firms — most out of South Florida — that have filed […]

Jim RosicaOctober 25, 2016

The body that administers Florida’s bar exam discriminates by asking applicants about their mental health, according to a federal lawsuit filed this month. A “John Doe” plaintiff filed suit in Tallahassee, where the Florida Board of Bar Examiners is headquartered. He says the Board violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by asking aspiring lawyers about […]

Associated PressJune 30, 2015

A new Florida law taking effect July 1 will make it a misdemeanor to pass off an unqualified pet as a service animal. The law, proposed by Republican state Rep. Jimmie Smith of Inverness, will make misrepresenting a dog as a service dog a second-degree misdemeanor. The offense is punishable with up to 60 days […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 26, 2014

Most of us know Florida as the home to Disney World, LeBron James, and the reigning college football national champions. Small-business owners and those looking to invest and create jobs see a far different side of the state: its growing reputation as a hotbed of lawsuit abuse, especially for lawsuits alleging violations of the […]

Tag: Americans with Disabilities Act

South Florida drug rehabs focus on relapse, money, not sobriety

House advances bills ‘cracking the whip’ on domestic abuse, child offenders, recovery centers, terrorism

Measures would promote ADA compliance — and, with luck, discourage litigation

Mental health questions on Florida bar application are discriminatory, suit says

Owner of fake service animal may get jail time with new law

Tom Scott: Florida, don’t follow California’s lead by choosing lawsuits over jobs