Panel advances bill letting vulnerable Floridians rescind public‑adjuster contracts

Representative Rosetta Mello framed HB 427 as a consumer‑protection measure rooted in personal experience and emphasized protection for "Florida's most vulnerable citizens during their most vulnerable moments." "This bill allows for these individuals like myself to rescind a public adjuster contract at any time without penalty or further obligation," Mello said, adding the bill does not create new causes of action against public adjusters and defines "vulnerable adult" consistent with statute 415.102.

Members questioned who may act to rescind contracts and whether legal paperwork (power of attorney) would be required; Mello said a representative, guardian or family member with legal standing could act. Representative Valdez and others asked whether existing cancellation windows (10, 30, 60 days) made the bill redundant; Mello said rescission "at any time" was necessary to allow family members who live out of state time to review contracts and that the bill targets predatory solicitation of vulnerable people.

Frank Altieri of the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters testified in opposition in person, saying the bill as written risked leaving legitimate adjusters uncompensated after months of unpaid work and suggested the language should protect all soliciting professions, not single out adjusters. Altieri said: "As it is written, the hardworking public adjuster who spends several months preparing and adjusting claims for a client without any interim pay is in jeopardy of having their legitimate contract for services canceled at a moment's notice without cause." Mello and several members acknowledged the concern and said they were willing to work on language, including potential age or diagnosis criteria and provisions to protect good‑faith adjusters.

After debate and closing remarks, the committee recorded a favorable report on HB 427.