House Bill 517 amends section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes to create a public records exemption for specific personal information of municipal clerks and their staff. The bill protects home addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, and photographs of these individuals, as well as similar information for their spouses and children. Additionally, it exempts the names and locations of schools and daycare facilities attended by the children of municipal clerks and their staff from public disclosure. The bill includes provisions for future legislative review and repeal of these exemptions, with a review scheduled by October 2, 2030, under the Open Government Sunset Review Act.

The legislation aims to enhance the privacy and safety of municipal clerks and their families, recognizing the risks associated with the public disclosure of such personal information, especially for those involved in sensitive administrative functions and investigations related to election fraud and legal enforcement. The exempt status of this personal information will be maintained only if a written and notarized request is submitted by the individual or their employing agency. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and emphasizes that the potential harm from disclosing this information outweighs any public benefit, thereby justifying the need for these privacy protections.

Statutes affected:
H 517 Filed: 119.071