CS/CS/HB 273 2024
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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 public records; amending s. 823.15, 2
F.S.; providing an exemption from public records 3
requirements for records containing certain 4
information pertaining to persons with legal custody 5
of an animal from an animal shelter or animal control 6
agency operated by a humane society or a local 7
government; providing for future legislative review 8
and repeal of the exemption; providing a statement of 9
public necessity; providing an effective date. 10
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 12
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Section 1. Subsection (7) is added to section 823.15, 14
Florida Statutes, to read: 15
823.15 Public or private animal agencies; sterilization 16
required for dogs and cats released; recordkeeping requirements; 17
microchipping; public records exemption .— 18
(7) Personal identifying information of a person who 19
fosters, adopts, or otherwise receives legal custody of an 20
animal from an animal shelter or animal contr ol agency operated 21
by a humane society or a county, municipality, or other 22
incorporated political subdivision held by the shelter or agency 23
is exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State 24
Constitution. This subsection is subject to the Open G overnment 25
CS/CS/HB 273 2024
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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
Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand 26
repealed on October 2, 2029, unless reviewed and saved from 27
repeal through reenactment by the Legislature. 28
Section 2. The Legislature finds that it is a public 29
necessity that the personal identifying information of a person 30
who fosters, adopts, or otherwise receives legal custody of an 31
animal from an animal shelter or animal control agency operated 32
by a humane society or a county, municipality, or other 33
incorporated political subdi vision held by the shelter or agency 34
be made exempt from s. 119.07(1), Florida Statutes, and s. 35
24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. The Legislature finds 36
that, as reflected in s. 823.15(1), Florida Statutes, it is an 37
important public policy of the sta te to encourage the fostering, 38
adoption, or receipt of animals and to reduce euthanasia rates 39
for animals in animal shelters and animal control agencies. 40
Although such shelters and agencies are motivated to find new 41
homes or placements for animals in their custody, potential 42
fosterers, adopters, and other persons considering receiving 43
legal custody of animals may become discouraged from fostering, 44
adopting, or receiving legal custody of the animals if the prior 45
owners who lost or surrendered legal custody o f the animals, or 46
who did not reclaim the animals within the applicable time 47
periods, can obtain their personal identifying information and 48
attempt to regain legal custody of the animals from such persons 49
through stalking, harassment, or intimidation. As s uch, the 50
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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
release of such personal identifying information may jeopardize 51
the safety of animal fosterers, adopters, and other persons 52
receiving legal custody of animals and may have a chilling 53
effect on the recruitment of persons to adopt, foster, or 54
otherwise receive legal custody of animals from an animal 55
shelter or animal control agency. 56
Section 3. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law. 57