Bill > S0884

This bill amends Florida's public records law to create a new exemption for the personal identifying and location information of current and former owners and operators of family foster homes, as well as their spouses and children. The exemption covers home addresses, telephone numbers, places of employment, dates of birth, and photographs, and also protects the names and locations of schools and day care facilities attended by their children. The bill defines key terms such as "family foster home" (using the definition from existing statute), "owner," "operator," and "child" in precise legal language. The Legislature justifies this exemption by emphasizing the potential safety risks to foster parents and children, noting that these individuals could be vulnerable to threats or revenge from biological parents, and that releasing such information could jeopardize their personal safety. The exemption is subject to future legislative review and will automatically be repealed on October 2, 2031, unless the Legislature specifically votes to continue it. The bill provides retroactive application of the exemption and will take effect on July 1, 2026.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/884