Florida 2023 2023 Regular Session

Florida House Bill H1327 Analysis / Analysis

Filed 03/29/2023

                    This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives. 
STORAGE NAME: h1327c.EEG 
DATE: 3/29/2023 
 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS  
 
BILL #: CS/HB 1327    Pub. Rec./Investigative Genetic Genealogy Information and Materials 
SPONSOR(S): Criminal Justice Subcommittee, Anderson 
TIED BILLS:   IDEN./SIM. BILLS: SB 1402 
 
REFERENCE 	ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or 
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF 
1) Criminal Justice Subcommittee 	17 Y, 0 N, As CS Leshko Hall 
2) Ethics, Elections & Open Government 
Subcommittee 
17 Y, 0 N Poreda Toliver 
3) Judiciary Committee    
SUMMARY ANALYSIS 
Section 119.071, F.S., currently exempts active criminal intelligence and investigative information from public 
records requirements. Criminal investigative information means information with respect to an identifiable 
person or group of persons compiled by a criminal justice agency in the course of conducting a criminal 
investigation and is considered “active” as long as it is related to an ongoing investigation which is continuing 
with a reasonable, good faith anticipation of securing an arrest or prosecution in the foreseeable future. 
 
Investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) utilizes single nucleotide polymorphism-based DNA matching combined 
with family tree research to produce investigative leads in criminal investigations and missing persons cases. 
IGG information and materials may be exempt as active criminal intelligence or investigative information but 
would become subject to public records requirements when no longer considered active. 
 
CS/HB 1327 amends s. 119.071, F.S., to make confidential and exempt from public records requirements IGG 
information and materials. “IGG information and materials” means the information, records, and DNA records 
created or collected by or on behalf of a law enforcement agency conducting IGG research, and includes the 
names and personal identifying information (PII) of persons identified through the use of genealogy databases, 
traditional genealogical methods, or other investigative means.  
 
The bill does not protect the name or PII of the donor of a biological sample attributable to a perpetrator or a 
person identified through IGG who is a witness to or has personal knowledge related to the crime under 
investigation. The bill provides an exception to the confidential and exempt status of IGG information and 
materials for law enforcement agencies to: allow an agency to disclose IGG information and materials in 
furtherance of its official duties and responsibilities or to another government agency in furtherance of its 
official duties and responsibilities; and require an agency to disclose IGG information and materials pursuant to 
a court order to further a criminal prosecution. The recipient of such a disclosure must maintain the confidential 
and exempt status of the information and materials, unless further disclosure is court-ordered. 
 
The bill provides for retroactive application of the newly-created public record exemption. The public record 
exemption created by the bill is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and will automatically 
repeal on October 2, 2028, unless reviewed and saved from repeal by the Legislature.  
 
The bill may have an insignificant negative fiscal impact on local and state governments. See Fiscal 
Comments.  
 
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2023. 
 
Article I, section 24(c) of the Florida Constitution requires a two-thirds vote of the members present 
and voting for final passage of a newly-created or expanded public record or public meeting 
exemption. The bill creates a public record exemption; thus, it requires a two-thirds vote for final 
passage.   STORAGE NAME: h1327c.EEG 	PAGE: 2 
DATE: 3/29/2023 
  
FULL ANALYSIS 
I.  SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS 
 
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES: 
Background 
 
Public Records  
 
Article I, section 24(a) of the Florida Constitution sets forth the state’s public policy regarding access to 
government records. This section guarantees every person the right to inspect or copy any public 
record of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
1
 The Legislature, however, 
may provide by general law for exemption from public record requirements provided the exemption 
passes by two-thirds vote of each chamber, states with specificity the public necessity justifying the 
exemption, and is no broader than necessary to meet its public purpose.
2
 
 
The Florida Statutes also address the public policy regarding access to government records. Section 
119.07(1), F.S., guarantees every person the right to inspect and copy any state, county, or municipal 
record, unless the record is exempt.
3
 Furthermore, the Open Government Sunset Review Act
4
 provides 
that a public record exemption may be created, revised, or maintained only if it serves an identifiable 
public purpose and the Legislature finds that the purpose is sufficiently compelling to override the 
strong public policy of open government and cannot be accomplished without the exemption.
5
 An 
identifiable public purpose is served if the exemption meets one of the following purposes:  
 Allows the state or its political subdivisions to effectively and efficiently administer a 
governmental program, which administration would be significantly impaired without the 
exemption;  
 Protects sensitive personal information that, if released, would be defamatory or would 
jeopardize an individual’s safety; however, only the identity of an individual may be exempted 
under this provision; or 
 Protects trade or business secrets.
6
 
 
Pursuant to the Open Government Sunset Review Act, a new public record exemption or substantial 
amendment of an existing public record exemption is repealed on October 2nd of the fifth year following 
enactment, unless the Legislature reenacts the exemption.
7
 
 
Active Criminal Intelligence and Investigative Information Exemption 
 
Section 119.071, F.S., currently exempts active criminal intelligence information and active criminal 
investigative information from public records requirements.
8
 Additionally, a law enforcement agency’s 
request to inspect or copy a public record that is in another agency’s custody and the custodian’s 
response to the request, and any information that would identify whether a law enforcement agency has 
requested or received that public record are exempt from public records requirements during the period 
the information constitutes active criminal intelligence information or active criminal investigative 
information.
9
  
 
                                                
1
 Art. I, s. 24(a), Fla. Const. 
2
 Art. I, s. 24(c), Fla. Const. 
3
 A public record exemption means a provision of general law which provides that a specified record, or portion thereof, is not subject to 
the access requirements of s. 119.07(1), F.S., or s. 24, Art. I of the State Constitution. S. 119.011(8), F.S. 
4
 S. 119.15, F.S. 
5
 S. 119.15(6)(b), F.S. 
6
 Id. 
7
 S. 119.15(3), F.S. 
8
 S. 119.071(2)(c), F.S. 
9
 S. 119.071(2)(c)2.a., F.S.  STORAGE NAME: h1327c.EEG 	PAGE: 3 
DATE: 3/29/2023 
  
“Criminal intelligence information” means information with respect to an identifiable person or group of 
persons collected by a criminal justice agency
10
 in an effort to anticipate, prevent, or monitor possible 
criminal activity.
11
 
 
“Criminal investigative information” means information with respect to an identifiable person or group of 
persons compiled by a criminal justice agency in the course of conducting a criminal investigation of a 
specific act or omission, including, but not limited to, information derived from laboratory tests, reports 
of investigators or informants, or any type of surveillance.
12
 Criminal investigative information does not 
include documents given to the person arrested, except that a court in a criminal case may order that 
the information given to the person arrested be maintained in a confidential manner and be exempt 
from public records requirements until released at trial if it is found that the release of such information 
would be defamatory to the good name of a victim or witness or would jeopardize the safety of such 
victim or witness.
13
 
 
Criminal intelligence and investigative information is considered “active” as long as it is related to 
intelligence gathering conducted with a reasonable, good faith belief that it will lead to detection of 
ongoing or reasonably anticipated crimes; or is related to an ongoing investigation which is continuing 
with a reasonable, good faith anticipation of securing an arrest or prosecution in the foreseeable future, 
respectively.
14
 
 
 FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) 
 
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is hereditary material existing in the cells of all living organisms. A DNA 
profile may be created by testing the DNA in a person’s cells. Similar to fingerprints, a person’s DNA 
profile is a unique identifier, except for identical twins, who have the exact same DNA profile. DNA 
evidence may be collected from any biological material, such as hair, teeth, bones, skin cells, blood, 
semen, saliva, urine, feces, and other bodily substances.
15
 “It is a fundamental principle of genetics that 
individuals who are closely related will share DNA from their common ancestors; and the more distant 
the relationship, the less DNA is shared.”
16
 
 
Historically, the most common form of DNA analysis used to match samples and test for identification in 
forensic laboratories analyzes only certain parts of DNA, known as short tandem repeats (STRs).
17
 In 
the early 1990s, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) chose 13 STRs as the basis for a DNA 
identification profile, and the 13 STRs became known as the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).
18
 
CODIS is now the general term used to describe the FBI’s program of support for local, state, and 
national criminal justice DNA databases as well as the software used to run these databases.
19
  
 
                                                
10
 “Criminal justice agency” means: 1) any law enforcement agency, court, or prosecutor; 2) any other agency charged by law with 
criminal law enforcement duties; 3) any agency having custody of criminal intelligence information or criminal investigative information 
for the purpose of assisting law enforcement agencies in the conduct of active criminal investigation or prosecution or for the purpose of 
litigating civil actions under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act, during the time that such agencies are in 
possession of criminal intelligence information or criminal investigative information pursuant to their criminal law enforcement duties; 
and 4) the Department of Corrections. S. 119.011(4), F.S. 
11
 S. 119.011(3)(a), F.S. 
12
 S. 119.011(3)(b), F.S. 
13
 S. 119.011(3)(c)5., F.S. 
14
 S. 119.011(3)(d), F.S. 
15
 FindLaw, How DNA Evidence Works, https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-procedure/how-dna-evidence-works.html (last visited Mar. 
23, 2023). 
16
 Daniel Kling, Christopher Phillips, Debbie Kennett, and Andreas Tillmar, Investigative genetic genealogy: Current methods, 
knowledge and practice, Vol. 52, FSI Genetics, p. 1, (May 2021), https://www.fsigenetics.com/action/showPdf?pii=S1872-
4973%2821%2900013-2 (last visited Mar. 23, 2023).  
17
 Kelly Lowenberg, Applying the Fourth Amendment when DNA Collected for One Purpose is Tested for Another, 79 U. Cin. L. Rev.  
1289, 1293 (2011), https://law.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/APPLYING-THE-FOURTH-AMENDMENT-WHEN-DNA-
COLLECTED-FOR-ONE-PURPOSE.pdf (last visited Mar. 23, 2023). 
18
 Id. 
19
 FBI, Frequently Asked Questions on CODIS and NDIS, https://www.fbi.gov/services/laboratory/biometric-analysis/codis/codis-and-
ndis-fact-sheet (last visited Mar. 23, 2023).  STORAGE NAME: h1327c.EEG 	PAGE: 4 
DATE: 3/29/2023 
  
When a suspect’s identity is unknown, a participating crime laboratory may upload a forensic profile 
into CODIS to compare against additional DNA profiles uploaded by other federal, state, or local 
participating laboratories. If a match is identified, the laboratories involved exchange information to 
verify the match and establish coordination between the two agencies. This match can provide 
probable cause for law enforcement to obtain a warrant to collect a biological reference sample from an 
offender. A laboratory can then perform DNA analysis on the known biological sample and present the 
analysis as evidence in court.
20
 
 
 Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) 
 
In contrast to traditional methods of DNA comparison using STR profiles in CODIS, investigative 
genetic genealogy (IGG), also known as forensic genetic genealogical DNA analysis and searching
21
 or 
forensic genetic genealogy,
22
 utilizes single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)
23
-based DNA matching 
combined with family tree research to produce investigative leads in criminal investigations and missing 
persons cases.
24
 IGG differs from the traditional STR DNA matching utilized on CODIS in the 
technology employed, the nature of the databases utilized, the genetic markers involved, and the 
algorithms run. Information and data derived from IGG is not, and cannot be, uploaded, searched, or 
retained in any CODIS DNA Index.
25
  
 
IGG examines more than half a million SNP DNA markers which replace the STR DNA markers 
typically analyzed.
26
 Based on the nature of SNP markers scientists are able to identify shared blocks 
of DNA between a forensic sample and the sample donor’s potential relatives.
27
 SNP markers have 
been identified as being more stable than STR markers and allow for increased accuracy in identifying 
potential familial connections.
28
 
 
The technology to conduct SNP testing became readily available to the general public in 2007 through 
direct-to-consumer testing companies (DTCs). Consumers purchase test kits and provide DNA samples 
to the companies who then generate genetic data using SNP microarrays
29, 30
 that produce 600,000 to 
700,000 SNP markers. The companies can then analyze the SNP markers for purposes such as: 
 Biogeographical ancestry information; 
 Identifying potential genetic relatives; and 
 Health, wellness, and trait conditions and predispositions.
31
 
 
When the purpose is to search for potential genetic relatives, the SNP DNA profile is compared against 
genetic profiles of individuals who have voluntarily submitted their biological samples to these 
databases. A computer algorithm then evaluates potential familial relationships between the sample 
donor and service users.
32
 
                                                
20
 Id. 
21
 U.S. Department of Justice, Interim Policy: Forensic Genetic Genealogical DNA Analysis and Searching, 
https://www.justice.gov/olp/page/file/1204386/download (last visited Mar. 23, 2023). 
22
 Supra note 16, at 2. 
23
 Each SNP represents a variation in a single DNA building block. Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine, What are single 
nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)?, https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/genomicresearch/snp/ (last visited Mar. 23, 2023). 
24
 Supra note 16, at 2. 
25
 Supra note 21, at 3-4. 
26
 Supra note 21, at 3. 
27
 Supra note 21, at 3. 
28
 Alasdair Macdonald and Graham Holton, What is STR and SNP DNA?, Who Do You Think You Are?, 
https://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/tutorials/dna/what-is-str-and-snp-dna/ (last visited Mar. 23, 2023).  
29
 A microarray tool is used to determine whether DNA from a particular individual contains a mutation in genes. National Human 
Genome Research Institute, DNA Microarray Technology Fact Sheet, https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/DNA-
Microarray-Technology (last visited Mar. 23, 2023).  
30
 Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is another way to create SNP datasets that mirrors microarray technology and has been widely 
adopted to ensure sensitivity to challenging forensic sampling. Supra note 16. 
31
 Scientific Working Group DNA Analysis Methods, Overview of Investigative Genetic Genealogy, 
https://www.swgdam.org/_files/ugd/4344b0_6cc9e7c82ccc4fc0b5d10217af64e31b.pdf (last visited Mar. 23, 2023). 
32
 Supra note 21, at 3.  STORAGE NAME: h1327c.EEG 	PAGE: 5 
DATE: 3/29/2023 
  
 
There are four principal DTCs: Ancestry, FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA), MyHeritage, and 23andMe. As of 
August 2020, the four principal DTCs have tested over 36 million people. Many DTC genetic testing 
providers maintain their customers’ SNP data in a database. However, the DTCs permit customers to 
retrieve their data to personally maintain, control, and share their SNP file. Individuals can share their 
SNP file with researchers and third-party services, such as GEDmatch, that offer to interpret their SNP 
data.
33
 
 
In addition to the four principal DTCs there are also two frequently-utilized third-party services: 
GEDmatch and DNASolves. GEDmatch does not provide genetic testing services but instead provides 
a central location for users to upload and share their SNP file. GEDmatch allows users to search for 
matches with people who have tested on different platforms at different testing companies and have 
subsequently shared their SNP file with GEDmatch.
34
 GEDmatch is also able to accept raw data from 
both microarrays and WGS and can be used for law enforcement matching.
35
 Similarly, DNASolves 
does not provide genetic testing services, but does accept user-uploaded SNP data from the four 
principal DTCs.
36
  
 
Law enforcement agencies have begun opting to utilize IGG over more traditional searches on CODIS 
because the profiles uploaded on CODIS use far fewer STR genetic markers than the hundreds of 
thousands of SNP markers available on genetic genealogy companies’ databases.  
 
In response to the increase in the utilization of IGG, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued an 
Interim Policy on IGG. The Policy provides that law enforcement agencies may initiate the IGG process 
when a case involves an unsolved violent crime or unidentified human remains. The Policy provides 
guidelines for the IGG process including: 
 Before the IGG progress may be initiated an agency must have developed a STR DNA profile 
from a collected crime scene sample and uploaded the sample into CODIS. 
 The agency must pursue all reasonable and viable investigative leads, including through a 
CODIS search.
37
  
 If a CODIS search fails to produce a probative and confirmed DNA match, the agency may 
utilize IGG. 
 If the case is properly postured to use IGG, the agency must develop, generally through a third-
party vendor, a SNP DNA profile from the collected sample and then upload the DNA profile to 
DTCs and other third-party genetic genealogy companies (collectively referred to as “GG” 
companies) to identify potential genetic relatives in the database. 
 The agency must identify themselves as law enforcement to GG companies and enter and 
search SNP DNA profiles only in those GG company databases that provide explicit notice to 
their service users and the public that law enforcement may use their service sites to investigate 
crimes or to identify unidentified human remains. 
 If the search results in one or more genetic associations, the GG company provides law 
enforcement with a list of genetically associated
38
 service user names along with an estimated 
relationship.  
 The agency may not arrest a suspect based solely on a genetic association generated by a GG 
company.  
 The agency must treat this information as an investigate lead only and must utilize traditional 
genealogy research and other investigative work to determine the true nature of the genetic 
                                                
33
 Supra note 31, at 2. 
34
 Id. 
35
 Supra note 16, at 13. 
36
 Supra note 16, at 15. 
37
 “Reasonable investigative leads” are credible, case-specific facts, information, or circumstances that would lead a reasonably 
cautious investigator to believe that their pursuit would have a fair probability of identifying a suspect. Supra note 21, at 5. 
38
 A genetic association means that the donor of the sample may be related to the service user. Supra note 21, at 4.  STORAGE NAME: h1327c.EEG 	PAGE: 6 
DATE: 3/29/2023 
  
association, including creating a STR DNA profile of the new suspect and comparing it to the 
forensic profile previously uploaded to CODIS. 
 If a suspect is arrested and charged with a criminal offense the agency must direct the GG 
company to remove from its databases and return the SNP DNA profile and all associated 
information to the agency.  
 Biological samples and SNP DNA profiles may not be used to determine the donor’s genetic 
predisposition for disease or any other medical condition or psychological trait.
39
 
 
 DTCs and Third-Party Companies and Law Enforcement Access 
 
Of the four principal commercial companies only FTDNA allows law enforcement matching within the 
opted in section of its database. Law enforcement agencies that want to use the FTDNA database are 
required to register all forensic samples and genetic files prior to uploading. FTDNA may grant 
permission to use the database only after the required documentation is submitted, reviewed, and 
approved. Even if permission is granted, access is limited for the purposes of identifying remains of 
deceased individuals and identifying perpetrators of homicide, sexual assault, or abduction.
40
 FTDNA 
allows users to opt out of law enforcement searches.
41
  
 
GEDmatch, a citizen science website founded in 2010, proved crucial to the initial development of IGG. 
GEDmatch allows DNA profiles to be uploaded from a wide variety of sources, including law 
enforcement agencies. GEDmatch launched a dedicated law enforcement portal in December 2020. 
GEDmatch allows samples of unidentified human remains to be compared against the entire database, 
while profiles uploaded to identify the perpetrator of a violent crime
42
 may only be matched against the 
opt in portion of the database. GEDmatch users are automatically opted out of law enforcement 
searches but may choose to opt in.
43
  
 
DNASolves was setup in December 2019 and is intended to be a dedicated SNP database for law 
enforcement use. Users on DNASolves contribute data solely to solve crime, there is no public-facing 
search and users cannot be matched with relatives. Users may voluntarily submit their name, date of 
birth, and their parents’ names to assist investigators.
44
  
 
Although, IGG materials and information may be exempt as active criminal intelligence or investigative 
information, the materials and information would become subject to public records requirements when 
no longer considered active. 
 
Effect of Proposed Changes 
 
CS/HB 1327 amends s. 119.071, F.S., to make confidential and exempt from public records 
requirements IGG information and materials. 
 
The bill defines “investigative genetic genealogy information and materials” as the information, records, 
and DNA records created or collected by or on behalf of a law enforcement agency conducting IGG 
research, and includes the names and personal identifying information of persons identified through the 
use of genealogy databases, traditional genealogical methods, or other investigative means. The term 
does not include the name or personal identifying information of: 
 The donor of a biological sample attributable to a perpetrator; or  
 A person identified through IGG who is a witness to or has personal knowledge related to the 
crime under investigation. 
                                                
39
 Supra notes 21 and 31.  
40
 Supra note 16, at 12. 
41
 Supra note 31, at 3.  
42
 GEDmatch defines “violent crime” as murder, non-negligent manslaughter, aggravated rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Supra 
note 31, at 3.  
43
 Supra note 31, at 4. 
44
 Supra note 16, at 15.  STORAGE NAME: h1327c.EEG 	PAGE: 7 
DATE: 3/29/2023 
  
 
The bill provides an exception for law enforcement agencies, to: 
 Allow an agency to disclose IGG information and materials in furtherance of its official duties 
and responsibilities or to another governmental agencies in furtherance of its official duties and 
responsibilities; and  
 Require an agency to disclose IGG information and materials pursuant to a court order for the 
furtherance of a criminal prosecution. The recipient of such a disclosure must maintain the 
confidential and exempt status of the information and materials and may only publicly disclose 
them as necessary for the purposes of a criminal prosecution as determined by the court. 
 
The bill provides for retroactive application of the newly-created public record exemption to all IGG 
information and materials, held by an agency before, on, or after July 1, 2023.  
 
The public record exemption created by the bill is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act 
and will automatically repeal on October 2, 2028, unless reviewed and saved from repeal by the 
Legislature.  
 
The bill also provides the constitutionally required public necessity statement.
45
  
 
The bill defines additional terms, including: 
 “DNA record” which means all information associated with the collection and analysis of a 
person’s DNA sample, including the distinguishing characteristics collectively referred to as a 
DNA profile, and includes a single nucleotide polymorphism and a whole genome sequencing 
DNA profile. 
 “Genetic genealogy” which means the use of DNA testing in combination with traditional 
genealogical methods to infer relationships between persons and determine ancestry. 
 “Investigative genetic genealogy” which means the application of genetic genealogy and law 
enforcement investigative techniques to develop investigative leads in unsolved violent crimes 
and provide investigative leads as to the identify of unidentified human remains and living 
unidentified missing persons.  
 
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2023. 
 
B. SECTION DIRECTORY: 
Section 1: Amends s. 119.071, F.S., relating to general exemptions from inspection or copying of  
       public records. 
Section 2: Provides a statement of public necessity. 
Section 3: Provides an effective date of July 1, 2023. 
II.  FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT 
 
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT: 
 
1. Revenues: 
None. 
 
2. Expenditures: 
See Fiscal Comments. 
 
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: 
 
1. Revenues: 
                                                
45
 Art. I, s. 24(c), Fla. Const., requires each public record exemption to “state with specificity the public necessity justifying the 
exemption.”  STORAGE NAME: h1327c.EEG 	PAGE: 8 
DATE: 3/29/2023 
  
None. 
 
2. Expenditures: 
See Fiscal Comments. 
 
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR: 
None. 
 
D. FISCAL COMMENTS: 
The bill may have an insignificant negative fiscal impact on entities holding IGG information and 
materials, as staff responsible for complying with public record requests may require training related to 
the new public record exemption. However, any additional costs will likely be absorbed within existing 
resources. 
III.  COMMENTS 
 
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES: 
 
 1. Applicability of Municipality/County Mandates Provision: 
Not Applicable. This bill does not appear to require counties or municipalities to spend funds or take 
action requiring the expenditures of funds; reduce the authority that counties or municipalities have 
to raise revenues in the aggregate; or reduce the percentage of state tax shared with counties or 
municipalities. 
 
 
 2. Other: 
Vote Requirement 
 
Article I, section 24(c) of the Florida Constitution requires a two-thirds vote of the members present 
and voting for final passage of a newly-created or expanded public record or public meeting 
exemption. The bill creates a public record exemption; thus, it requires a two-thirds vote for final 
passage. 
 
Public Necessity Statement 
 
Article I, section 24(c) of the Florida Constitution requires a public necessity statement for a newly 
created or expanded public record or public meeting exemption. The bill creates a public record 
exemption; thus, it includes a public necessity statement. The public necessity statement states that 
the Legislature finds, in part, that failure to properly protect and limit the disclosure of IGG 
information and materials will hinder the ability of law enforcement to use IGG to solve violent crimes 
and provide closure to the family members of victims. 
 
Breadth of Exemption 
 
Article I, section 24(c) of the Florida Constitution requires a newly created or expanded public record 
or public meeting exemption to be no broader than necessary to accomplish the stated purpose of 
the law. The bill creates a public record exemption for IGG information and materials, which does not 
appear to be broader than necessary to accomplish its purpose. 
 
B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY: 
None. 
 
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS: 
None.  STORAGE NAME: h1327c.EEG 	PAGE: 9 
DATE: 3/29/2023 
  
IV.  AMENDMENTS/COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES 
On March 21, 2023, the Criminal Justice Subcommittee adopted an amendment and reported the bill 
favorably as a committee substitute. The amendment: 
 Clarified that the name and personal identifying information of the following persons are 
excluded from the public records exemption: 
o The donor of a biological sample attributable to a perpetrator. 
o A person identified through IGG who is a witness to or has personal knowledge related 
to the crime under investigation. 
 Clarified that if a court orders disclosure of IGG information and materials in the furtherance of a 
criminal prosecution, the recipient must maintain the confidential and exempt status of the 
information and materials. 
 Added a definition of “DNA record.” 
 Clarified that the definition of “investigative genetic genealogy information and materials” 
includes DNA records. 
 Removed definitions for “SNP” and “WGS,” as the terms are now included within the definition 
of “DNA record.”  
 Made other technical clarifying changes. 
 
The analysis is drafted to the committee substitute as passed by the Criminal Justice Subcommittee.