Proposed bill seeks exemption of public records requirements for court clerks

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – New legislation would create an exemption to public records requirements for current or former clerks of the circuit court, deputy clerks of the circuit court and personnel associated with the clerk of the circuit court.

Rep. Dan Daley, D-Coral Springs, filed HB 989, which would exempt those associated with the clerk of the circuit court from personal identifying and location information, as well as the names and personal identifying and location information of their spouses and children for public records.

This bill aims to enhance privacy for those connected to the circuit court system.

The bill pointed to how the responsibilities of the clerks of the circuit court, deputy clerks of the circuit court, and clerk of the circuit court personnel regularly include involvement in legal enforcement, divorce, and child support proceedings.

“As a result, clerks of the circuit court, deputy clerks of the circuit court, and clerk of the circuit court personnel have received death threats, harassing telephone calls and emails, and threats of physical violence from disgruntled individuals,” the bill text said.

The bill text stated that by releasing personal information of these individuals, it may put them “in danger of being physically or emotionally harmed or stalked.”

“The Legislature finds that the harm that may result from the release of such personal identifying and location information outweighs any public benefit that may be derived from the disclosure of the information,” the bill text continued.

A similar or identical bill has yet to be filed in the Senate.