The bill amends section 409.175 of the Florida Statutes to enhance the confidentiality of personal identifying and location information for applicants and current or former owners and operators of family foster homes. It establishes that such information, including home addresses, birth dates, medical records, and photographs, is confidential and exempt from public records requirements. The bill also extends this confidentiality to the spouses, children, and other adult household members of these individuals, as well as to character or neighbor references. Additionally, the bill includes a provision for future legislative review and potential repeal of the exemption.

Key changes in the bill include the insertion of terms such as "family foster home" and "current or former owner or operator," replacing previous terminology like "foster parent." The bill removes the previous stipulation that information would become public five years after a foster parent license was denied or expired, ensuring that the confidentiality of this information remains intact indefinitely. The legislation emphasizes the necessity of protecting this sensitive information to prevent potential harm to foster families and the children in their care, and it is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 287 Filed: 119.071
H 287 c1: 409.175