This bill amends section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes to enhance the confidentiality of public records related to crime victims. It revises the existing public records exemption to specify that only public records revealing certain personal information about a crime victim, such as their name, personal identification number, and any other identifying or location information that could be used to locate or harass them or their family, will be considered confidential. The bill also deletes the previous exemption that allowed victims of specific crimes to request confidentiality through written requests, instead mandating that such information be kept confidential without the need for a request. Additionally, it establishes that this confidential information must be released as necessary for judicial proceedings and cannot be denied to criminal defendants.

Furthermore, the bill introduces criminal penalties for individuals who unlawfully disclose this confidential information and emphasizes the importance of protecting victims' privacy to prevent further harassment and revictimization. It includes a provision for future legislative review and potential repeal of the exemption by October 2, 2030, unless it is reenacted. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1266 Filed: 119.071