FL H7109

Designates personal identifying information of Lifeline Assistance Plan participants held by the Public Service Commission as confidential and exempt from public records requirements under s. 119.07(1) and Art. I, s. 24(a) of the State Constitution.

Permits release of exempted information to telecommunications carriers only for purposes directly connected with eligibility verification, program verification, or auditing of the Lifeline Assistance Plan.

Prohibits telecommunications carrier officers and employees from intentionally disclosing exempted information except when authorized by customer, necessary for billing, required by court process, needed for government agency implementation of service, or otherwise authorized by law.

Establishes a second-degree misdemeanor penalty for any officer or employee of a telecommunications carrier or the Public Service Commission who intentionally violates the disclosure restrictions, punishable under s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

Removes the scheduled repeal date of October 2, 2012, making the public records exemption permanent rather than subject to sunset review.