Bill > S0812

This bill expands an existing law that allows certain criminal history records to be sealed, meaning they are kept confidential and not accessible to the public under Florida's public records law (s. 119.07(1), Florida Statutes, and Article I, Section 24(a) of the State Constitution). Specifically, it extends this confidentiality to sealed criminal history records of individuals who were found guilty of certain nonviolent misdemeanor offenses or other specified acts. The bill also clarifies that a state attorney can access these sealed records for the purpose of prosecuting a subsequent case. Importantly, this expansion of the exemption is subject to a review process and is set to expire on October 2, 2031, unless the Legislature takes action to save it from repeal, at which point the law would revert to its previous wording as of June 30, 2026, with some exceptions. The Legislature has declared this expansion a public necessity, stating that it helps individuals reintegrate into society by removing barriers to employment and housing, thereby promoting economic stability and reducing crime. The bill also includes a directive for the Division of Law Revision to update a reference to specific legislation and sets a contingent effective date tied to the passage of similar legislation.

Budget and Finance

Criminal Justice (S)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/812