SESSION WATCH
Died SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. CS/SB 812

Public Records/Sealed Criminal History Records
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SPONSOR
Criminal Justice; Simon
FILED BY
Corey Simon — District 3, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
On the same date that SB 810 or similar legislation takes effect, if such legislation is adopted in the same legislative session or an extension thereof and becomes a law
DIED IN
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
OFFICIAL RECORD
flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/812

Filed under Criminal Justice.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Public Records/Sealed Criminal History Records; Expanding an existing public records exemption to include sealed criminal history records of persons adjudicated guilty of certain acts or nonviolent misdemeanor offenses; authorizing disclosure of criminal history records to a state attorney for a specified purpose; providing for future review and repeal of the expanded exemption; providing a statement of public necessity, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Sealed criminal records become confidential, blocking public access.

The bill expands a public records exemption to cover sealed criminal history records. This prevents the public from viewing these records under state open records laws.

It authorizes state attorneys to access these records specifically for prosecuting subsequent cases. This new access right is added to the existing list of permitted disclosures.

The expanded exemption is subject to a mandatory sunset review. It automatically repeals on October 2, 2031, unless the Legislature explicitly reenacts it.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Expanded Public Records Exemption majors. 943.059(1)(b)

AISealed criminal history records for specific nonviolent misdemeanors become confidential and exempt from public records laws.

“a criminal history record described in s. 943.059(1)(b), Florida Statutes, which is sealed be made confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1)” bill text, line 80 →
§ 2 State Attorney Access moderates. 943.059(6)(c)

AIState attorneys may access sealed criminal history records to prosecute subsequent cases.

“A state attorney for the purpose of prosecuting any subsequent cases.” bill text, line 36 →
§ 3 Sunset Repeal moderates. 943.059(6)(e)

AIThe expanded exemption automatically repeals on October 2, 2031, unless the Legislature reenacts it.

“that paragraph shall stand repealed on October 2, 2031, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.” bill text, line 66 →
§ 4 Reversion Mechanism moderates. 943.059(6)(e)

AIIf not reenacted, the law reverts to its June 30, 2026 version, preserving unrelated amendments.

“paragraph (1)(b) reverts to that in existence on June 30, 2026, except that any amendments to such text enacted other than by SB 810” bill text, line 69 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
1/22/2026
CS by Criminal Justice read 1st time
1/22/2026
Now in Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
1/21/2026
Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
1/20/2026
CS by Criminal Justice; YEAS 7 NAYS 1
1/15/2026
On Committee agenda-- Criminal Justice, 01/20/26, 3:30 pm, 37...
1/13/2026
Introduced
12/16/2025
Referred to Criminal Justice; Appropriations Committee on Criminal...
12/9/2025
Filed
3 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 943.059
+138 / −1
STAFF ANALYSES
1/16/2026 3:15 PM
1/21/2026 8:55 AM