CS/SB 68 — Public Records/Staff and Domestic Violence Advocates of Domestic Violence Centers
by Criminal Justice Committee and Senator Garcia
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee (CF)
The bill amends s. 119.071(4)(d), F.S., creating a new exemption from public records disclosure for specified personal information of current and former staff and domestic violence advocates of domestic violence centers certified by the Department of Children and Families under ch. 39, F.S., and specified personal information relating to their spouses and children.
Section 90.503(1)(b), F.S., defines “domestic violence advocate” as an employee or volunteer of a certified domestic violence center who: provides direct services to individuals victimized by domestic violence; has received 30 hours of domestic violence core competency training; and has been identified by the domestic violence center as an individual who may assert a claim of privilege for communications with domestic violence victims under s. 39.905, F.S.
The bill exempts the following information from public records disclosure:
- Home addresses, telephone numbers, places of employment, dates of birth, and photographs of such personnel;
- Names, home addresses, telephone numbers, places of employment, dates of birth, and photographs of the spouses and children of such personnel; and
- Names and locations of schools and day care facilities attended by the children of such personnel.
The bill provides a statement of public necessity as required by the State Constitution.
The bill is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and will be repealed on October 2, 2024, in accordance with s. 119.15, F.S., unless the statute is reviewed and reenacted by the Legislature before that date. While the repeal date is typically 5 years from enactment of an exemption, the repeal date for this bill is 3 years, so that it remains consistent with the repeal dates of other exemptions currently in s. 119.071(4)(d), F.S.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect upon becoming law.
Vote: Senate 35-3; House 115-0