CS/CS/HB 327 — Public Records Exemption for Persons in Public Shelters
by State Affairs Committee; Government Operations Subcommittee; and Representatives Rommel and Leek (CS/SB 418 by Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee and Senator Burgess)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee (MS)
CS/CS/HB 327 exempts from public inspection and copying requirements the address and telephone number of a person who takes refuge at a public emergency shelter during a storm or catastrophic event.
The bill provides that the exemption created under the bill is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15, F.S., and will be repealed on October 2, 2026, unless reviewed and saved from repeal by the Legislature.
As the bill itself states, the bill is necessary in order to limit the amount of privacy a person must forfeit by choosing to enter a shelter, and to protect a person from those who might seek to exploit their vulnerability following a catastrophic event.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect upon becoming law.
Vote: Senate 39-1; House 115-0