The bill amends section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes to define "medical examiner" and create an exemption from public records requirements for the personal identifying and location information of current and former medical examiners, as well as their spouses and children. This exemption includes protection for home addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, photographs, and the names and locations of schools and daycare facilities attended by their children. The intent is to enhance the safety and privacy of these individuals, acknowledging the potential security risks associated with the public availability of such sensitive information.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that the exemption will be subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act, which means it will automatically expire on October 2, 2031, unless the Legislature conducts a review and reenacts it. The legislation underscores the importance of safeguarding the personal information of medical examiners, emphasizing that the risks of disclosing this information outweigh any public benefit that might arise from its release. The bill also includes provisions for retroactive application and a statement of public necessity, highlighting the critical role of medical examiners in public health and safety.

Statutes affected:
H 21 Filed: 119.071