House Bill 1389 amends Florida Statutes to enhance the confidentiality of communications and personal information related to the Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC). The bill exempts from public records any written communications prepared for or preliminary to PERC's issuance of orders, and it protects the personal identifying and location information of PERC's chair, commissioners, and hearing officers, as well as their spouses and children. Additionally, the bill clarifies that PERC's deliberations are closed to the public, while ensuring that hearings and oral arguments remain accessible. These changes are intended to safeguard the integrity of PERC's processes and the safety of its personnel, reflecting modern technological and operational needs.

Moreover, the bill extends privacy protections to various public employees and their families by exempting specific personal information, such as home addresses, telephone numbers, and dates of birth, from public disclosure. This includes protections for emergency medical technicians, child advocacy center staff, and domestic violence advocates, among others. The bill also mandates that the names and locations of schools and daycare facilities attended by the children of these personnel are exempt from public records. Notably, the bill includes a new insertion that mandates the exemption for the home addresses, dates of birth, and telephone numbers of PERC officials, emphasizing the need to protect them from potential threats. The exemptions are subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act, ensuring they are reviewed and potentially reenacted by the Legislature.

Statutes affected:
H 1389 Filed: 447.205, 119.071