FL H0679

Exempts petitions for protective injunctions against domestic violence, repeat violence, dating violence, sexual violence, stalking, or cyberstalking from public records requirements when dismissed without a hearing or at an ex parte hearing due to failure to state a claim, lack of jurisdiction, or petition sufficiency issues.

Requires automatic removal of all dismissed petitions and their contents from publicly accessible records upon dismissal for cases filed on or after July 1, 2016.

Allows individuals named as respondents in petitions dismissed before July 1, 2016 to request removal by submitting a signed written request specifying case name, case number, document heading, and page number to the court clerk at no charge.

Designates the exemption subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act, with the provision set to automatically repeal on October 2, 2021 unless reenacted by the Legislature.

Takes effect July 1, 2016, with the Legislature finding that unverified allegations in dismissed petitions could be defamatory and removal protects individual reputation.