Title: Public Records/Emergency Information Gathering System

Summary: Providing a public records exemption for information furnished to a state, county, or municipal government agency for use in an emergency information gathering system; providing for retroactive application; providing for future legislative review and repeal of the exemption; providing a statement of public necessity, etc.

Full Text:
An act relating to public records; amending s. 119.071, F.S., providing a public records exemption for information furnished to a state, county, or municipal government agency for use in an emergency information gathering system; providing for retroactive application; providing for future legislative review and repeal of the exemption; providing a statement of public necessity; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Paragraph (k) is added to subsection (5) of section 119.071, Florida Statutes, to read: 119.071 General exemptions from inspection or copying of public records.  (5) OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION.  (k)1. Information furnished by a person to a state, county, or municipal government agency for the purpose of registering emergency residential or business information for the agency s emergency information gathering system, including, but not limited to, the person s name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, health and other personal information, or other electronic communication address, is exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. This exemption applies to information held by an agency before, on, or after the effective date of this exemption. 2. This paragraph is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2020, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature. Section 2.  The Legislature finds that it is a public necessity that information furnished to a state, county, or municipal government agency for use in emergency information gathering systems be exempt from s. 119.07(1), Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of the State Constitution. Emergency information gathering systems act to provide information to first responders in the event of an emergency. The Legislature finds that public access to such information could lead to misuse, fraud, or harm. The Legislature recognizes that protection is needed for individuals who provide personal and medical history information to first responders. Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015.