FL S0186

Creates section 448.077 of Florida Statutes to prohibit employers from requesting or requiring employee or prospective employee access to personal social media accounts, including usernames, passwords, or other login credentials for non-public accounts.

Prohibits employers from taking retaliatory personnel action against employees who refuse to grant social media access and from refusing to hire prospective employees based on their refusal to grant such access.

Allows employees and prospective employees to bring civil action within 2 years of a violation, with recoverable damages of either actual damages or $500 per violation (whichever is greater), plus attorney fees and court costs.

Exempts employer-owned social media accounts used primarily for business purposes and compliance with state or federal monitoring requirements for certain regulated industries and law enforcement background screening.

Takes effect October 1, 2016.