# Fla. Stat. § 456.009: 456.009 Legal and investigative services

> Florida · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C456_S456.009

## Section

- **Citation:** Fla. Stat. § 456.009
- **Heading:** 456.009 Legal and investigative services
- **Jurisdiction:** Florida
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Florida Code / Title XXXII / Chapter 456 / Section 456.009

## Text

(1) The department shall provide board counsel for boards within the department by contracting with the Department of Legal Affairs, by retaining private counsel pursuant to s. 287.059, or by providing department staff counsel. The primary responsibility of board counsel shall be to represent the interests of the citizens of the state. A board shall provide for the periodic review and evaluation of the services provided by its board counsel. Fees and costs of such counsel shall be paid from a trust fund used by the department to implement this chapter, subject to the provisions of s. 456.025. All contracts for independent counsel shall provide for periodic review and evaluation by the board and the department of services provided.

(2) The department may employ or use the legal services of outside counsel and the investigative services of outside personnel. However, no attorney employed or utilized by the department shall prosecute a matter and provide legal services to the board with respect to the same matter.

(3) Any person retained by the department under contract to review materials, make site visits, or provide expert testimony regarding any complaint or application filed with the department relating to a profession under the jurisdiction of the department shall be considered an agent of the department in determining the state insurance coverage and sovereign immunity protection applicability of ss. 284.31 and 768.28.

History: s. 60, ch. 97-261; s. 154, ch. 99-251; s. 42, ch. 2000-160.

## Nearby sections

- [Fla. Stat. § 456.001 456.001 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C456_S456.001.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 456.002 456.002 Applicability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C456_S456.002.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 456.003 456.003 Legislative intent; requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C456_S456.003.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 456.004 456.004 Department; powers and duties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C456_S456.004.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 456.005 456.005 Long-range policy planning.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C456_S456.005.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 456.006 456.006 Contacting boards through department.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C456_S456.006.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 456.007 456.007 Board members.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C456_S456.007.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 456.008 456.008 Accountability and liability of board members.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C456_S456.008.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 456.009 456.009 Legal and investigative services.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C456_S456.009.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 456.011 456.011 Boards; organization; meetings; compensation and travel expenses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C456_S456.011.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 456.012 456.012 Board rules; final agency action; challenges.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C456_S456.012.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 456.013 456.013 Department; general licensing provisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C456_S456.013.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 456.014 456.014 Public inspection of information required from applicants; exceptions; examination hearing.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C456_S456.014.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 456.015 456.015 Limited licenses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C456_S456.015.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXII_C456_S456.009. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.