Florida Senate - 2024 SB By Senator Rouson 16-00142-24 202426__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. A bill to be entitled

An act relating to public records; providing an exemption from public records requirements for personal identifying information included in applications submitted to the Department of State by persons seeking certification as victims of Florida reform school abuse; providing for future legislative review and repeal of the exemption; providing a statement of public necessity; providing a contingent effective date. 10

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 12

Section 1. Applications for certification as a victim of Florida reform school abuse; public records exemption.—Any personal identifying information included in an application submitted to the Department of State by, or on behalf of, a person seeking certification as a victim of Florida reform school abuse, as defined in the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys and Okeechobee School Abuse Victim Certification Act, is exempt from s. 119.07(1), Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a),

Article I of the State Constitution. This paragraph is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15, 23 Florida Statutes, and shall stand repealed on December 31, 2025, 24 unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature. 26

Section 2. The Legislature finds that it is a public necessity that any personal identifying information included in applications submitted to the Department of State by, or on Florida Senate - 2024 SB 26 16-00142-24 202426__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. behalf of, any person seeking certification as a victim of Florida reform school abuse be made exempt from s. 119.07(1), 31 Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a),

Article I of the State Constitution. The Legislature finds that the release of personal identifying information included in certification applications could subject victims of Florida reform school abuse to further trauma. The Legislature further finds that such victims would be more likely to come forward and seek redress if personal identifying information included in the applications were protected from public disclosure. The Legislature finds that the harm that may result from the release of such information outweighs the public benefit that may be derived from the disclosure of the information. 42

Section 3. This act shall take effect on the same date that SB _____ or similar legislation takes effect, if such legislation is adopted in the same legislative session or an extension thereof and becomes a law. 46