House Bill 181 amends section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes to define "legal assistant" and create an exemption from public records requirements for certain personal information of legal assistants employed by the office of the public defender and the office of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel. This exemption includes home addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, and photographs of current legal assistants, as well as similar personal information for their spouses and children. The bill emphasizes the need for these protections due to the potential risks faced by legal assistants and their families from interactions with criminal defendants, prioritizing their safety over public interest in disclosure.

Additionally, the bill makes amendments to section 744.21031 to correct a cross-reference and includes a statement of public necessity. It clarifies the definition of "telephone numbers" and ensures that the new exemptions will be subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act, with expiration dates unless reviewed and reenacted by the Legislature. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2026, ensuring prompt implementation upon enactment.

Statutes affected:
H 181 Filed: 119.071, 744.21031