FL H7061

Amends Florida Statutes § 895.06 to make information held by investigative agencies during Florida RICO Act violation investigations confidential and exempt from public records requirements under § 119.07(1) and Article I, § 24(a) of the State Constitution.

Allows disclosure of confidential investigation information only to government entities performing official duties and to courts or tribunals.

Information loses confidential status once all related investigations are completed, defined as when the investigative agency either files an action or closes its investigation without filing an action.

Exemption is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and automatically repeals on October 2, 2020, unless the Legislature reenacts it.

Effective July 1, 2015; legislature finds the exemption necessary to prevent premature disclosure from thwarting investigations and to protect potential defendants' reputations if investigations are closed without civil action.