Florida bill looks to provide notice for roadside memorial removals

HIGHLAND BEACH, Fla. – Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, R-Highland Beach, filed a bill for the legislative session regarding roadside memorials that aims to notify creators of any impending changes being made by state agencies.

“It [the bill] protects the memory of deceased victims of roadway accidents, and respects the dignity of those they leave behind,” Gossett-Seidman to Florida’s Voice. “It is necessary because, in times of vulnerable and emotional state of families, it protects their moral concerns and common-sense thinking to be advised if someone is removing a roadside memorial.”

Under HB 421, “advance notice” must be given to any roadside memorial altered, dismantled, destroyed, or removed to a installer. A person also must be notified of any change to a roadside memorial commemorating a deceased loved one.

“Perhaps these memorials are installed without advance notice or permission of the landowner, whether public or private,” Gossett-Seidman said. “But before pulling down crosses, stars of David, teddy bears, photos and flowers, be considerate and seek to contact the grieving parties first.”

The proposal is also referred to as the “Dori Slosberg, Carolina Gil Gallego, Margo Scher, Crystal Cordes, and Ryan Rashidian Memorial Notification Act.” The teenagers’ roadside memorial was removed “in error” by Palm Beach County in August for being outside the right-of-way.

Items removed from the site included a Jewish Star of David and four crosses. The memorial was later restored by the county.

The memorial commemorated five teenagers who were killed after a driver going 90 mph lost control of their car and hit the victims’ Honda Civic in oncoming traffic. Two teenagers survived the crash, which occurred on Palmetto Park Road in West Boca Raton in 1996.

Roadside memorials are not removed by the state or the Florida Highway Patrol, according to Gossett-Seidman.

Irving Slosberg, father of victim Dori Slosberg, represented District 91 in the Florida House of Representatives from 2012-2016. Dori’s sister, Emily, who was one of two victims to survive the crash, succeeded her father for HD 91 from 2016-2022.

Covering Boca Raton, the district is represented currently by Gossett-Seidman.

“The memorial was removed without notice or regard to the families of victims; further, it was not even the land ownership of the County,” she said. “This bill helps preserve the memories of those lost and dignities of those remaining behind, commemorating where their loved ones took their last breaths.”

If passed, HB 421 would take effect July 1, 2024.