FL H0747

Expands the existing public records exemption under s. 943.059, F.S. to make sealed criminal history records of persons adjudicated guilty of certain nonviolent misdemeanor offenses confidential and exempt from public disclosure

Sealed records remain accessible only to the subject, their attorney, criminal justice agencies, state court judges, and specified entities for licensing, employment, and access authorization purposes

Employees of authorized entities are prohibited from disclosing sealed record information except to the subject or persons with direct responsibility for employment/licensing decisions; violations constitute a first-degree misdemeanor

The expanded exemption is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and will stand repealed on October 2, 2031, unless reenacted by the Legislature

Effective date is contingent upon HB 745 or similar legislation being adopted in the same legislative session and becoming law