HB 7017 Summary

• Transfers section 406.136 of Florida Statutes and renumbers it as paragraph (p) of section 119.071 to consolidate public records exemptions related to photographs, video, and audio recordings depicting killings.

• Expands the existing public records exemption to include recordings depicting the killing of victims in mass violence incidents (defined as incidents where three or more people are killed by intentional violence), in addition to recordings of law enforcement officer killings.

• Grants surviving spouses, parents, or adult children of deceased victims access to such recordings; allows local, state, and federal agencies access upon written request for official duties; prohibits public access without a court order based on a showing of good cause.

• Establishes criminal penalties as third-degree felonies for custodians who willfully and knowingly violate the exemption or for persons who violate court orders restricting disclosure.

• Applies the exemption retroactively to all recordings regardless of when the killing occurred and schedules the exemption for repeal on October 2, 2024, unless reviewed and reenacted by the Legislature.