House Bill 1373 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 employees of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, as well as their spouses and children. This includes sensitive information such as home addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, and photographs. The bill emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the privacy of these individuals, aligning their protections with those already afforded to other law enforcement and judicial personnel. Additionally, the bill establishes provisions for legislative review and repeal of the exemption, with a retroactive application, and includes a statement of public necessity.

The bill articulates the rationale for these exemptions, citing the risks faced by Judicial Qualifications Commission employees due to their roles in investigating judicial misconduct. It acknowledges that these employees have been subjected to intimidation and harassment, including threats and doxing, from dissatisfied litigants. The Legislature concludes that the need to protect the safety and privacy of these individuals and their families outweighs any public interest in disclosing their personal information. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and the exemptions will be subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act, automatically repealing on October 2, 2031, unless the Legislature intervenes.

Statutes affected:
H 1373 Filed: 119.071