Bill > S1266

This bill amends Florida's public records law to enhance privacy protections for crime victims and law enforcement officers involved in use of force incidents. It expands existing exemptions by defining key terms such as "victim" and "use of force incident" and creates new restrictions on releasing identifying information. For crime victims, the bill protects not just their basic contact information, but also any records that could potentially be used to locate, intimidate, harass, or abuse the victim or their family. For law enforcement officers involved in use of force incidents, the bill establishes a 72-hour confidentiality period during which the officer's identity remains private, with the potential for the employing agency head to extend this period if deemed necessary. The bill includes provisions for agencies to access these records for official purposes and requires legislative review of these exemptions by October 2, 2030. The Legislature justifies these changes by emphasizing the need to protect victims and officers from potential harm or retaliation that could result from the public disclosure of their personal information. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and represents an effort to balance public transparency with individual safety concerns.

Criminal Justice (Senate), Rules (Senate)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1266