FL H0239

Exempts petitions for protective injunctions against domestic violence, repeat violence, dating violence, sexual violence, stalking, or cyberstalking from public records disclosure if dismissed without a hearing, dismissed at an ex parte hearing for failure to state a claim or lack of jurisdiction, or dismissed for sufficiency defects without an injunction being issued.

Petitions dismissed on or after July 1, 2017 are automatically exempt from public records requirements and the Florida Constitution's public access provision.

Petitions dismissed before July 1, 2017 are exempt only upon a signed, written request by the individual named as a respondent, delivered by mail, facsimile, electronic transmission, or in person to the court clerk at no charge.

The request must specify the case name, case number, document heading, and page number.

The Legislature finds that unverified allegations in dismissed petitions may be defamatory and damage an individual's reputation, making public disclosure exemption necessary to protect respondents' reputations.