The bill amends section 23.44 of the Florida Statutes to provide an exemption from public records requirements for the personal identifying information of participants in the Hope Florida program. This exemption applies to records held by the Hope Florida Office or any other agency involved in administering the program. The new legal language specifies that this personal identifying information is exempt from public disclosure under existing public records laws, and it applies retroactively to information collected before, on, or after the effective date of the exemption. Additionally, the exemption is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and will be repealed on October 2, 2030, unless the Legislature reviews and saves it from repeal.

The bill includes a statement of public necessity, emphasizing the importance of protecting the personal identifying information of program participants, who may be in vulnerable situations and at risk of abuse or exploitation. The Hope Florida program collects sensitive information related to participants' employment, housing, and health status to assist them effectively. The Legislature argues that the potential harm from disclosing this information outweighs any public benefit, as it could deter individuals from seeking assistance if their personal details were made public. The act will take effect concurrently with SB 1144 or similar legislation, provided that such legislation is adopted in the same session.