The bill 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 owners and operators of family foster homes, as well as their spouses and children. This amendment is designed to enhance the privacy of individuals involved in family foster care by ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential. The bill also includes provisions for future legislative review and potential repeal of the exemption, along with retroactive application.

In addition to the new exemption for family foster home operators, the bill maintains existing protections for various public employees, including law enforcement and judicial officials, whose safety may be jeopardized by the disclosure of their personal information. It introduces new definitions related to family foster homes and emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the identities and locations of these individuals due to potential risks from biological parents of the children in care. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and the exemptions will be subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act, which mandates automatic repeal unless the Legislature intervenes.

Statutes affected:
S 884 Filed: 119.071