The bill amends section 119.0712 of the Florida Statutes to expand the exemption from public records requirements for e-mail addresses collected by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). Previously, the exemption applied only to e-mail addresses collected for the purpose of providing renewal notices. The new language broadens this exemption to include e-mail addresses collected for general notification purposes, as well as those related to vessel registrations. Additionally, the bill provides for retroactive applicability and includes a provision for future legislative review and potential repeal of the exemption.

The legislation emphasizes the necessity of protecting e-mail addresses from public disclosure due to the risks of identity theft and consumer scams associated with the public availability of personal information. It states that the use of e-mail as a method of notification has increased, and the unique nature of e-mail addresses, when combined with other personal information, poses a risk to consumers. The bill asserts that the potential risks to consumers outweigh the state's public policy favoring open government, thus justifying the exemption. The act will take effect contingent upon the passage of related legislation.

Statutes affected:
S 490 Filed: 119.0712
S 490 er: 119.0712