The bill amends section 119.0712 of the Florida Statutes to provide an exemption from public records requirements for certain e-mail addresses collected by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Specifically, it adds e-mail addresses collected under section 328.30(3) to the existing exemptions for e-mail addresses collected under sections 319.40(3), 320.95(2), and 322.08(10). The exemption is retroactive and is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act, meaning it will be reviewed and may be repealed by the Legislature by October 2, 2031, unless saved from repeal through reenactment.

The bill includes a statement of public necessity, emphasizing that the exemption is crucial to protect individuals from identity theft and other risks associated with the public availability of their e-mail addresses. It highlights the increasing use of e-mail by the department for notifications related to motor vehicle services and asserts that the risks posed by public access to personal e-mail addresses outweigh the state's public policy favoring open government. The act will take effect contingent upon the passage of related legislation (HB 937) in the same legislative session.

Statutes affected:
H 939 Filed: 119.0712