FLORIDA - Florida is pushing forward with a new privacy law that would conceal the home addresses and phone numbers of elected officials, sparking debate about transparency versus safety.
Senate Bill 268, passed by a massive majority in both chambers, aims to shield the personal contact details of state legislators, members of Congress, and local officials including mayors, commissioners, school board members, and superintendents.
The measure is now awaiting Governor Ron DeSantis’s signature and, if signed, will take effect on July first.
Supporters of the bill say the protection is overdue.
According to The Associated Press and The Washington Post, the proposal gained urgency after the recent killing of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband.
Authorities say the accused shooter allegedly impersonated a law enforcement officer, targeted lawmakers’ homes, and kept detailed notes on public officials.
He has since been arrested and charged with multiple counts including murder and attempted murder, per CBS News and NBC News.
Florida law already protects personal information for judges, police officers, and prosecutors.
This bill would expand those exemptions to a far larger group, including their families.
Critics such as the First Amendment Foundation argue the move could hinder the public’s ability to hold officials accountable, especially when verifying if lawmakers live in the districts they represent.
While ZIP codes would remain public, actual addresses would be kept private.
Proponents insist the safety benefits outweigh the transparency concerns and say the law is necessary in today’s increasingly hostile political climate.
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