CS/HB 7 — Public Records/Claim Settlement on Behalf of Minor or Ward
by Government Operations Subcommittee and Reps. Passidomo and J. Rodriguez (CS/CS/SB 360 by Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee; and Senator Stargel)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee (CF)
The bill creates an exemption from public records requirements relating to the legal settlement of a claim on behalf of a ward or minor. The purpose of this exemption is to protect the minor from financial exploitation by keeping the terms of a financial settlement confidential. Any document associated with the settlement is confidential and exempt from the public records provisions of s. 119.07(1), F.S., and Article I, section 24(a) of the Florida Constitution. The court may order partial or full disclosure of the confidential and exempt record to specified individuals upon a showing of good cause.
The bill provides a statement of public necessity as required by the State Constitution. Because the bill creates a new public records exemption, it required a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting in each house of the Legislature for final passage.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2015.
Vote: Senate 38-0; House 113-0