(1) For purposes of this section, the term or terms:

(a) “Applicant” means an individual applying for licensure or relicensure under this chapter, and an officer, director, majority owner, partner, manager, or other person who manages or controls an entity applying for licensure or relicensure under this chapter.

(b) “Felony of the first degree” and “capital felony” include all felonies designated as such by the Florida Statutes, as well as any felony so designated in the jurisdiction in which the plea is entered or judgment is rendered.

(c) “Financial services business” means any financial activity regulated by the Department of Financial Services, the Office of Insurance Regulation, or the Office of Financial Regulation.

(2) An applicant who has been found guilty of or has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to any of the following crimes, regardless of adjudication, is permanently barred from licensure under this chapter:

(a) A felony of the first degree;

(b) A capital felony;

(c) A felony involving money laundering;

(d) A felony embezzlement; or

(e) A felony directly related to the financial services business.

(3) An applicant who has been found guilty of or has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to a crime not included in subsection (2), regardless of adjudication, is subject to:

(a) A 15-year disqualifying period for all felonies involving moral turpitude which are not specifically included in the permanent bar contained in subsection (2).

(b) A 7-year disqualifying period for all felonies to which neither the permanent bar in subsection (2) nor the 15-year disqualifying period in paragraph (a) applies. Notwithstanding subsection (4), an applicant who served at least half of the disqualifying period may reapply for a license if, during that time, the applicant has not been found guilty of or has not pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to a crime. The department may issue the applicant a license on a probationary basis for the remainder of the disqualifying period. The applicant’s probationary period ends at the end of the disqualifying period.

(c) A 7-year disqualifying period for all misdemeanors directly related to the financial services business.

(4) The department shall adopt rules to administer this section. The rules must provide for additional disqualifying periods due to the commitment of multiple crimes and may include other factors reasonably related to the applicant’s criminal history. The rules shall provide for mitigating and aggravating factors. However, mitigation may not result in a period of disqualification of less than 7 years and may not mitigate the disqualifying periods in paragraphs (3)(b) and (c).

(5) For purposes of this section, the disqualifying periods begin upon the applicant’s final release from supervision or upon completion of the applicant’s criminal sentence. The department may not issue a license to an applicant unless all related fines, court costs and fees, and court-ordered restitution have been paid.

(6) After the disqualifying period has expired, the burden is on the applicant to demonstrate that the applicant has been rehabilitated, does not pose a risk to the insurance-buying public, is fit and trustworthy to engage in the business of insurance pursuant to s. 626.611(1)(g), and is otherwise qualified for licensure.

(7) Notwithstanding subsections (2) and (3), upon a grant of a pardon or the restoration of civil rights pursuant to chapter 940 and s. 8, Art. IV of the State Constitution with respect to a finding of guilt or a plea under subsection (2) or subsection (3), such finding or plea no longer bars or disqualifies the applicant from licensure under this chapter unless the clemency specifically excludes licensure in the financial services business; however, a pardon or restoration of civil rights does not require the department to award such license.

(8) The department shall adopt rules establishing specific penalties against licensees in accordance with ss. 626.641 and 626.651 for violations of s. 626.611, s. 626.621, s. 626.8437, s. 626.844, s. 626.935, s. 634.181, s. 634.191, s. 634.320, s. 634.321, s. 634.422, s. 634.423, s. 642.041, or s. 642.043. The purpose of the revocation or suspension is to provide a sufficient penalty to deter future violations of the Florida Insurance Code. The imposition of a revocation or the length of suspension shall be based on the type of conduct and the probability that the propensity to commit further illegal conduct has been overcome at the time of eligibility for relicensure. The length of suspension may be adjusted based on aggravating or mitigating factors, established by rule and consistent with this purpose.

(9) Section 112.011 does not apply to any applicants for licensure under the Florida Insurance Code, including, but not limited to, agents, agencies, adjusters, adjusting firms, or customer representatives.

History.—s. 11, ch. 2002-206; s. 9, ch. 2005-237; s. 6, ch. 2011-174; s. 10, ch. 2014-123; s. 20, ch. 2017-175; s. 19, ch. 2018-102; s. 17, ch. 2019-140.