House Bill 181 amends section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes to define "legal assistant" and establish 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. The bill specifically protects home addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, and photographs of current legal assistants, as well as the personal identifying and location information of their spouses and children. This exemption is retroactive and includes a provision for future legislative review and potential repeal, emphasizing the necessity of these protections due to the risks faced by legal assistants in their roles.

Additionally, the bill amends section 744.21031 to correct a cross-reference and updates the definition of "telephone numbers" in the context of public records exemptions. The legal language inserted clarifies the definition of "legal assistant" and expands existing exemptions to enhance privacy protections for this category of personnel. The bill underscores the importance of safeguarding the safety of legal assistants and their families, asserting that the potential harm from disclosing their information outweighs any public benefit. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act, which mandates a review and potential reenactment by the Legislature.

Statutes affected:
H 181 Filed: 119.071, 744.21031