House Bill 373 amends Florida Statutes to enhance privacy protections for certain public officials, specifically targeting the personal identifying information of current and former county attorneys, city attorneys, and appellate court clerks. The bill defines "appellate court" as the Florida Supreme Court or a district court of appeal and introduces exemptions from public records requirements for sensitive information such as home addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, and photographs. These exemptions are subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act, with expiration dates set for October 2, 2028, for county and city attorneys, and October 2, 2030, for appellate court clerks.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the retroactive application of these exemptions and outlines the process for maintaining their exempt status, requiring a written and notarized request from the individuals concerned. It also allows for the release of information upon the death of a protected party under certain conditions. The legislation emphasizes the public necessity of these measures, citing safety risks to public officials and their families due to their roles in the judicial system. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 373 Filed: 119.071, 744.21031