House Bill 251 amends section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes to create an exemption from public records requirements for the personal identifying and location information of current and former emergency physicians, as well as their spouses and children. The bill defines "emergency physician" as any physician licensed under chapters 458 or 459 who works in a hospital emergency department. It specifies that home addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, places of employment, and photographs of these emergency physicians and their families will be exempt from public disclosure. Additionally, the names and locations of schools and daycare facilities attended by the children of these emergency physicians are also included in this exemption.

The bill includes provisions for retroactive application of the exemption and mandates a future legislative review, with the exemption set to expire on October 2, 2031, unless reenacted by the Legislature. The exemptions will take effect on July 1, 2026, and are subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act, ensuring periodic review and potential repeal. This legislative action aims to enhance the privacy and safety of emergency medical personnel and their families, acknowledging the unique vulnerabilities they face in their high-stress work environments.

Statutes affected:
H 251 Filed: 119.071