Bill > S1790

This bill creates a new statute that allows defendants in eviction proceedings to file a motion to seal their court records and have their name replaced with "tenant" on the progress docket under specific conditions. Defendants can seek this relief if their case was settled, they satisfied a default judgment, or a certain amount of time has passed since a judgment was entered against them (5 or 10 years depending on the circumstances). However, individuals who have been evicted more than once are not eligible for this relief. To pursue this option, the defendant must serve a copy of the motion to all parties and file an affidavit confirming their eligibility. If no objections are filed within 30 days, the court must grant the relief without a hearing; if objections are filed, a hearing will be scheduled. The bill also stipulates that no filing or reopening fees can be charged for these motions, and the provisions will apply retroactively to judgments entered before, on, or after July 1, 2025. The primary purpose of this bill appears to be helping individuals mitigate the long-term negative consequences of eviction proceedings by providing a pathway to seal their records under certain circumstances.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1790