House approves bill forcing faster electronic transfer of court orders to law enforcement

The Florida House on April 3, 2025, approved House Bill 513, which requires clerks of court to electronically transmit certain court orders to law enforcement within a six-hour timeframe.

"House Bill 513 requires clerks of the court to electronically transmit specified petitions, notices of hearings, summons, and orders within a 6 hour time frame, including orders for involuntary examination under the Baker Act, involuntary services under the Marchman Act, and risk protection orders," Representative Gentry, sponsor, said during the floor explanation. He characterized the change as a way to eliminate delays involving time-sensitive public-safety orders.

Members asked how the bill interacts with judicial practice. Representative Rayner asked whether the judge must expressly direct electronic transmittal. Representative Gentry answered the bill does not require separate direction from the judge: "No, ma'am. But by practice, those orders that a judge enters are immediately sent to the clerk's office. And, this would simply direct them once they got to the clerk's office to be distributed to the, law enforcement agency." He added that judges retain authority to order immediate transmission.

Representative Bartleman, in floor debate, described the bill as "about making sure that there are no holes or delays in our system, especially when it comes to Baker Acts and getting people the mental health care they need." Representative Gentry waived close; the clerk recorded final passage: "A hundred and 8 yays, 0 nays, mister speaker."

Ending: Supporters said HB 513 will reduce delay and improve public-safety response for time-sensitive judicial orders by requiring a six-hour transmission window; the sponsor said judges retain authority to compel immediate action when needed.