The bill amends section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes to create a public records exemption for the personal identifying and location information of current and former municipal clerks, their staff, and their families. This includes protections for home addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, photographs, and the names and locations of schools and daycare facilities attended by their children. The exemption is designed to safeguard the privacy of these individuals due to the potential risks associated with public disclosure of their personal information, particularly given the sensitive nature of their work. The bill also includes a statement of public necessity and allows for retroactive application of the exemption.

Furthermore, the bill establishes that the new exemption will be subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act, ensuring that its necessity is periodically evaluated by the Legislature. It outlines the process for maintaining the exempt status of this information, requiring written and notarized requests from the individuals concerned, and mandates that county property appraisers and tax collectors comply by removing the exempt individuals' names from public records. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and aims to enhance the safety of municipal clerks and their families by protecting their personal information from public access.

Statutes affected:
S 248 Filed: 119.071