House Bill 997 amends Florida Statutes to enhance privacy protections for individuals associated with the Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) by exempting specific personal information from public disclosure. The bill establishes that written communications and draft orders prepared by PERC are confidential, and it exempts showing of interest statements from public records requirements. Additionally, it protects the personal identifying information of PERC's chair, commissioners, hearing officers, and their families, including home addresses, telephone numbers, and dates of birth, recognizing the potential risks these individuals face due to their roles.

The bill also includes provisions for periodic legislative review of these exemptions under the Open Government Sunset Review Act, ensuring they may be repealed unless reenacted. It outlines the process for releasing protected information under certain circumstances, such as property conveyance or the death of a protected party, requiring notarized written requests for verification. Overall, HB 997 seeks to balance the need for public transparency with the privacy rights of individuals in sensitive public roles, while emphasizing the necessity of confidentiality to protect public employees and their families.

Statutes affected:
H 997 Filed: 447.205, 119.071