Florida Enacts Law to Protect Personal Information of Gaming Control Commission Members
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida recently signed Senate Bill 692 into law, a legislative measure designed to protect the personal information of current and former members of the Florida Gaming Control Commission.
The new law aims to safeguard the privacy and security of commissioners and their families by making it more difficult to access their personal details.
Unanimous Legislative Support
The bill received unanimous support from both houses of the Florida Legislature, passing with little public attention or debate. This strong bipartisan backing underscores the perceived necessity of the legislation in protecting those who serve on the commission.
Under the provisions of Senate Bill 692, personal details such as home addresses, telephone numbers, and dates of birth of current and former commissioners will be kept confidential.
The same protections extend to their spouses and children. The law aims to mitigate risks associated with the public disclosure of this information.
Rationale for the Legislation
Lawmakers have justified the bill by highlighting the potential dangers faced by commission members. According to committee reports, there is a concern that commissioners could become targets for disgruntled individuals affected by the commission’s regulatory actions. The rationale is that these individuals might seek to retaliate against commissioners, potentially causing physical harm or emotional distress.
The legislature explicitly noted, “The release of such personal identifying and location information might place the commission’s current or former commissioners and their family members in danger of physical and emotional harm from disgruntled individuals whose businesses or professional practices have come under the scrutiny of the commission.”
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