Bill > H0891

This bill creates a public records exemption for correspondence and communications between incarcerated individuals, the public, and the Office of the Corrections Ombudsman, including the Ombudsman, committee members, and office staff. These communications will be confidential and exempt from standard public records disclosure requirements. The bill provides a rationale for this exemption, stating that public disclosure could potentially jeopardize the safety of incarcerated persons and might discourage open communication about correctional facility conditions. The exemption is designed to protect individuals from potential retaliation by correctional officers who may be under investigation as a result of these communications. The public records exemption will automatically expire on October 2, 2031, unless the Legislature reviews and reenacts it through the Open Government Sunset Review Act, which is a standard procedure for temporary public records exemptions in Florida. The bill's implementation is contingent on the passage of a related bill (HB 889) in the same legislative session.

Justice

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/891