This bill amends the Revised Judicature Act of 1961 by adding Section 5755, which establishes guidelines for the handling of records in summary proceedings related to the termination of an individual's tenancy. Under the new provisions, records will be maintained as nonpublic until a judgment for possession is entered in favor of the plaintiff. Once a judgment is made, these records will become public for a period of two years, after which they will revert to nonpublic status. However, if the judgment is based on specific serious offenses, such as illegal substance activity or threats of physical harm, the records will remain public for three years.

Additionally, the bill outlines conditions under which nonpublic records may be released for scholarly, educational, journalistic, or governmental purposes, ensuring that the tenant's identity remains protected. Researchers must submit a written request and enter into a data use agreement that stipulates the terms of use, confidentiality, and ownership of the information. The bill emphasizes the importance of balancing the interests of tenant privacy with the needs of researchers while maintaining strict controls over the handling of personally identifiable information.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 600.101, 600.9947