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SB 268

Offenses Against Public Order; crime of interference with a first responder; provide

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Albers and 4 co-sponsors

SB 268 protects emergency physicians and their families by exempting personal information from public records, enhancing their privacy and safety against potential threats.

House Withdrawn, Recommitted
#crimesandoffenses(criminalcode)
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Bill Summary · SB 268

Summary of SB 268: Public Records/Emergency Physicians

Bill Information:
- Bill Number: SB 268
- Title: Public Records/Emergency Physicians
- Status: Referred to Health Policy; Governmental Oversight and Accountability; Rules
- Introduced: October 23, 2025
- Sponsor: Senator Rodriguez

Purpose and Intent

SB 268 aims to enhance the privacy and safety of emergency physicians and their families by exempting specific personal identifying information from public records requirements. The bill recognizes the unique risks faced by emergency physicians due to the nature of their work, which often involves high-stress situations that can lead to violence or harassment.

Key Provisions

  • Definition of Emergency Physician: The bill defines an "emergency physician" as a physician licensed under Florida law whose duties are performed in a hospital emergency department.

  • Exemptions from Public Records:

    • The following personal information of current or former emergency physicians is exempt from public records:
    • Home addresses
    • Telephone numbers
    • Dates of birth
    • Places of employment
    • Photographs
    • The same exemptions apply to the spouses and children of emergency physicians, including:
    • Names
    • Home addresses
    • Telephone numbers
    • Places of employment
    • Names and locations of schools and daycare facilities attended by their children

  • Retroactive Application: The exemption applies to information held by an agency before, on, or after the effective date of the exemption.

  • Legislative Review: The exemption is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and will be repealed on October 2, 2031, unless reviewed and reenacted by the Legislature.

  • Public Necessity Statement: The bill includes a statement asserting the necessity of protecting the personal information of emergency physicians and their families due to the potential for violence and harassment.

Impact

  • Who is Affected: This bill primarily affects emergency physicians, their spouses, and children, providing them with enhanced privacy protections.
  • Public Safety Considerations: The legislation is designed to mitigate risks associated with the public disclosure of personal information, thereby aiming to protect emergency medical professionals from potential threats.

Procedural Aspects

  • Effective Date: The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.
  • Legislative Actions: The bill was filed on October 23, 2025, and referred to relevant committees on November 3, 2025.

This summary outlines the essential components of SB 268, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and the impact it seeks to achieve in safeguarding the personal information of emergency physicians and their families.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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