The bill amends section 119.0712 of the Florida Statutes to expand the exemption from public records requirements for e-mail addresses collected by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). Previously, the exemption applied only to e-mail addresses collected for providing renewal notices; the bill broadens this to include e-mail addresses collected for general notification purposes and specifically for vessel registrations. Additionally, the bill includes a retroactive applicability clause and establishes that the exemption will be subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act, which mandates a review and potential repeal of the exemption by October 2, 2030, unless it is reenacted by the Legislature.

The bill articulates a public necessity for this exemption, citing the increasing use of e-mail as a method of communication by the DHSMV and the associated risks of identity theft and consumer scams that could arise from the public availability of personal e-mail addresses. The Legislature acknowledges that the risks to consumers posed by potential misuse of their e-mail addresses outweigh the public policy favoring open government. The act will take effect concurrently with SB 1290 or similar legislation, should it be adopted in the same legislative session.

Statutes affected:
S 1292 Filed: 119.0712