The bill amends section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes, which pertains to exemptions from public records requirements, specifically regarding property photographs and personal identifying information of applicants or participants in housing assistance programs. The key change is the deletion of the scheduled repeal of the exemption, which previously stated that certain information would be subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and would be repealed on October 2, 2025, unless reviewed and saved from repeal by the Legislature.

As a result of this amendment, the confidentiality of property photographs and personal identifying information related to federal, state, or local housing assistance programs will remain in effect indefinitely, without the risk of automatic repeal. The bill also clarifies that governmental entities or their agents can access these confidential records for auditing purposes, and such records may be used in administrative or judicial proceedings while maintaining their confidentiality unless a court orders otherwise. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 7004 Filed: 119.071
S 7004 er: 119.071