Bill > S0710

This bill amends Florida's public records law to create a new exemption that protects personal identifying information for employees, board members, and volunteers of Crime Stoppers organizations. Specifically, the bill makes home addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, and photographs of these individuals exempt from public disclosure, along with similar information about their spouses and children. The exemption also covers the names and locations of schools and day care facilities attended by their children. Crime Stoppers organizations are defined in Florida Statute 16.557(1) and typically work to help law enforcement solve crimes by collecting anonymous tips and offering rewards. The bill includes a statement of public necessity explaining that releasing such information could put these individuals and their families at risk of retaliation from individuals connected to criminal investigations. The exemption is subject to future legislative review and will automatically expire on October 2, 2030, unless the Legislature reenacts it. The bill includes provisions for how agencies should handle requests to maintain the exemption and provides a mechanism for individuals to request the release of their own information. The new law is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply retroactively to information held by agencies before, on, or after the effective date.

Government Affairs

Criminal Justice (Senate)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/710