HB 7031 2022
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb7031-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to a review under the Open Government 2
Sunset Review Act; amending s. 119.071, F.S.; revising 3
an exemption from public records requirements for 4
personal identifying information of the alleged victim 5
in an allegation of sexual harassment or the victim of 6
sexual harassment if such information identifies that 7
person as an alleged victim or as a victim of sexual 8
harassment; authorizing the alleged vic tim or the 9
victim to waive confidentiality in writing; extending 10
the date for legislative review and repeal of the 11
exemption; providing a statement of public necessity; 12
providing an effective date. 13
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Flor ida: 15
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Section 1. Paragraph (n) of subsection (2) of section 17
119.071, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 18
119.071 General exemptions from inspection or copying of 19
public records.— 20
(2) AGENCY INVESTIGATIONS. — 21
(n) Personal identifying information of the alleged victim 22
in an allegation of sexual harassment or the victim of sexual 23
harassment is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24
24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution if such information 25
HB 7031 2022
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb7031-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
identifies that person as an alleged victim or as a victim of 26
sexual harassment. Confidentiality may be waived in writing by 27
the alleged victim or the victim . Such information may be 28
disclosed to another governmental entity in the furtherance of 29
its official duties and responsibilities. This paragraph is 30
subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance 31
with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2027 32
October 2, 2022, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through 33
reenactment by the Legislature. 34
Section 2. The Legislature finds t hat it is a public 35
necessity that personal identifying information of the alleged 36
victim in an allegation of sexual harassment or the victim of 37
sexual harassment be made confidential and exempt from s. 38
119.07(1), Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I o f the 39
State Constitution if such information identifies that person as 40
an alleged victim or as a victim of sexual harassment. The 41
disclosure of such information could harm alleged victims or 42
victims of sexual harassment by placing them at risk of further 43
harassment and retaliation. Additionally, the potential for 44
disclosure of such information could create a disincentive for 45
alleged victims to report instances of alleged harassment. 46
Therefore, the Legislature finds that the potential harm that 47
may result from the release of such information outweighs any 48
public benefit that may be derived from the disclosure of such 49
information. 50
HB 7031 2022
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb7031-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Section 3. This act shall take effect October 1, 2022. 51