This bill amends section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes to expand public records exemptions for crime victims. It defines key terms such as "victim," "officer," and "family member," and establishes that the name and personal identification number of a victim, as well as any information that could be used to locate, intimidate, harass, or abuse them, will be exempt from public records disclosure. Additionally, the bill provides similar protections for the identity of a victim's family members, lawful representatives, or next of kin. It specifies that records generated by agencies that handle information concerning crime victims will also be subject to these exemptions.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that the name of a law enforcement officer who becomes a victim in the course of their duties will be confidential for 72 hours following the incident, with an additional 60-day exemption thereafter. The legislation emphasizes the necessity of protecting victims and their families from potential harassment and intimidation, arguing that the risk of harm outweighs any public interest in disclosing such information. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and includes provisions for future legislative review and potential repeal of the exemptions.

Statutes affected:
S 350 Filed: 119.071
S 350 c1: 119.071