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CS/HB 363 — Privileged Communications Made to Crime Stoppers Organizations
by Criminal Justice and Public Safety Subcommittee and Reps. Chambliss, Gregory, and others (CS/CS/SB 1868 by Judiciary Committee; Criminal Justice Committee; and Senator Bean)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Criminal Justice Committee (CJ)
The bill amends s. 16.557, F.S., providing that a person who knowingly and willfully attempts to obtain, obtains, or discloses privileged communication, protected information, or information concerning a privileged communication or protected information commits a third degree felony. Section 16.557, F.S., currently provides that only the person who discloses such information commits a third degree felony.
Currently, the disclosure of such information does not apply to certain people. The bill adds an employee, board member, or volunteer of a crime stoppers organization while acting in the course and scope of the person’s duties or functions and a person complying with criminal discovery rules to the list of persons to whom this provision does not apply.
The bill also provides immunity from civil liability for a person who, in the course and scope of his or her duties or functions receives, forwards, or acts on a privileged communication.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect October 1, 2021.
Vote: Senate 40-0; House 116-0