Bill > H0397

This bill amends Florida's public records law to create a new exemption for personal identifying information of current and former employees, board members, and volunteers of Crime Stoppers organizations. Specifically, the bill protects home addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, and photographs of these individuals, as well as the names and employment information of their spouses and children. The exemption also covers the names and locations of schools and day care facilities attended by their children. The rationale for this exemption is to protect these individuals from potential retaliation, as Crime Stoppers employees are involved in collecting sensitive tip information and forwarding it to law enforcement agencies. The bill includes a provision for future legislative review, with the exemption set to automatically expire on October 2, 2030, unless the Legislature reenacts it. The law applies retroactively and will take effect on July 1, 2025. The Legislature argues that the potential harm to the safety of Crime Stoppers personnel and their families outweighs any public benefit from disclosing their personal information, making this exemption necessary for their protection.

Government Affairs, Justice

Criminal Justice Subcommittee (House)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/397