House Bill 507 amends section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes to create an exemption from public records requirements for the personal identifying and location information of sexual assault counselors. This includes protections for their home addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, and photographs, ensuring that such sensitive information is not publicly accessible. The bill reflects a growing recognition of the need to safeguard the identities of professionals in high-risk roles, such as sexual assault counselors, who may face harassment or threats due to their work. The exemption will be subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and will automatically expire on October 2, 2030, unless renewed by the Legislature.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for future legislative review and a statement of public necessity, as well as retroactive application of the law. It emphasizes the importance of protecting the personal information of these counselors, acknowledging that the potential harm from disclosing their information outweighs any public interest in its release. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 507 Filed: 119.071