The bill amends section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes to define "appellate court" as the Florida Supreme Court or a district court of appeal and introduces an exemption from public records requirements for the personal identifying and location information of current appellate court clerks, as well as their spouses and children. This exemption aims to protect the privacy of these individuals and includes provisions for future legislative review and potential repeal, along with a method for maintaining the exemption. The bill also allows for the retroactive application of this exemption. Additionally, it amends section 744.21031 to ensure consistency in legal language across related statutes and includes a statement of public necessity highlighting the importance of safeguarding personal information within the judicial system.

Furthermore, the bill provides exemptions for certain personal information related to current and former clerks, deputy clerks, and personnel of the appellate and circuit courts in Florida, specifically exempting home addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, photographs, and the personal information of their spouses and children from public disclosure. These exemptions are subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and will be repealed on October 2, 2029, unless reenacted by the Legislature. The bill also outlines the process for maintaining the exempt status of this information, requiring written and notarized requests from eligible individuals, and specifies compliance requirements for county property appraisers and tax collectors. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 300 Filed: 119.071, 744.21031
S 300 c1: 119.071, 744.21031