Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1146
By Senator Burgess
23-01229-25 20251146__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to public records; amending s. 14.37,
3 F.S.; providing an exemption from public records
4 requirements for the personal identifying information
5 of a participant in the Hope Florida program contained
6 in records held by the Office of Hope Florida or any
7 other state agency designated to participate in
8 administering the program; authorizing disclosure of
9 confidential and exempt information, subject to
10 certain requirements and limitations; providing
11 criminal penalties for the unlawful disclosure of
12 confidential and exempt information; providing for
13 future legislative review and repeal; providing a
14 statement of public necessity; providing a contingent
15 effective date.
16
17 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
18
19 Section 1. Subsection (9) is added to section 14.37,
20 Florida Statutes, as created by SB 1144 or similar legislation,
21 2025 Regular Session, to read:
22 14.37 Hope Florida program.—
23 (9)(a) A participant’s personal identifying information
24 contained in records held by the office or any other agency
25 designated to participate in the administration of the program
26 are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art.
27 I of the State Constitution.
28 (b) The office or any applicable agency may disclose
29 information confidential and exempt under paragraph (a) to any
30 of the following persons, provided that such person maintains
31 the confidential and exempt status of the information:
32 1. An office or agency employee for the purposes of
33 maintaining a registry or periodic reporting or disclosure of
34 information that has been redacted to exclude personal
35 identifying information.
36 2. The program’s designated public-private partners
37 including, but not limited to CareerSource Florida, Inc., and
38 Volunteer Florida, Inc.
39 3. An office or agency employee for the purpose of
40 approving or disapproving a request for additional assistance
41 within the purview of the program.
42 (c) Any person who willfully and knowingly, in violation of
43 this subsection, discloses information made confidential and
44 exempt by this subsection commits a felony of the third degree,
45 punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
46 (d) This subsection is subject to the Open Government
47 Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand
48 repealed October 2, 2030, unless reviewed and saved from repeal
49 by the Legislature.
50 Section 2. The Legislature finds that it is a public
51 necessity to make the personal identifying information of Hope
52 Florida participants contained in records held by the Office of
53 Hope Florida and any other state agencies participating in the
54 Hope Florida program confidential and exempt from public records
55 requirements. In fulfilling the program’s mission, the Hope
56 Florida program collects personal identifying information
57 regarding program participants in order to assist and serve
58 residents of this state who are often in vulnerable situations
59 and subject to abuse or exploitation. Allowing the public
60 unfettered access to participant data could impair the effective
61 and efficient administration of the program and otherwise
62 discourage individuals and families from seeking support through
63 Hope Florida’s resources.
64 Section 3. This act shall take effect on the same date that
65 SB 1144 or similar legislation takes effect, if such legislation
66 is adopted in the same legislative session or an extension
67 thereof and becomes a law.