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. This includes confidential details such as home addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, and photographs. The bill defines "emergency physician" as any physician licensed under chapters 458 or 459 who works in a hospital emergency department. The exemption is retroactive, applying to information held by an agency before, on, or after the effective date, and emphasizes the unique vulnerabilities faced by emergency physicians due to the nature of their work.

Additionally, the bill includes a sunset clause set for October 2, 2031, which mandates future legislative review and potential repeal of the exemption unless reenacted by the Legislature. The exemptions will take effect on July 1, 2026, and are subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act. This legislative action aims to enhance the privacy protections for emergency physicians and their families, acknowledging the risks of violence or harassment they may encounter in their profession.

Statutes affected:
H 251 Filed: 119.071