Bill > H1327

This bill creates a new provision within Florida law to protect the criminal history records of human trafficking victims who have had those records expunged, meaning legally removed or sealed. Specifically, it makes these expunged records confidential and exempt from public records requirements, which are governed by section 119.07(1) of Florida Statutes and Article I, Section 24(a) of the State Constitution. This exemption means these records will not be publicly accessible, except for law enforcement agencies for their official purposes, or by court order. The bill emphasizes that this confidentiality is a public necessity to help victims of human trafficking, who may have committed crimes under duress from their traffickers, overcome barriers to employment and reintegrate into society. The exemption is temporary and subject to a legislative review process, with a scheduled repeal date of October 2, 2018, unless the Legislature acts to extend it.