FloridaFlorida law keeps some innocence investigation records private
Florida law keeps certain new investigation materials from public view during an active, good-faith review of a convicted person’s claim of actual innocence.
What it does
Some materials from a state attorney’s new investigation of a convicted person’s innocence claim are kept from public view during an active, good-faith review. Applicant petitions and certain other records are excluded.
Argument forKeeping some materials private during a good-faith innocence review could give state attorneys room to investigate claims before releasing sensitive details.
Argument againstPeople requesting records could wait longer to see investigation materials while a good-faith innocence review remains active and able to continue.
More detail
Florida law exempts certain conviction integrity unit investigation materials from public disclosure. A conviction integrity unit is part of a state attorney’s office and reviews plausible claims of actual innocence. The exemption covers information or materials generated by a new investigation after the unit formally accepts an applicant’s case; it excludes applicant petitions, certain court-proceeding materials, and earlier investigative records that are not otherwise exempt. It applies only during an active, ongoing, good-faith investigation of an actual-innocence claim in a case that resulted in a conviction. The exemption lasts for a reasonable period during the investigation and until the claim can no longer be investigated. The text also gives October 2, 2026, as a repeal date unless the Legislature saves the paragraph through reenactment.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 17Chapter No. 2026-152Latest
- Jun 16Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 12Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 17Ordered enrolledMinor
- Mar 9Passed; YEAS 106, NAYS 0Passed House
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 9Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 9Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Mar 9Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 5Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/9/2026)
- Feb 16Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Feb 101st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Feb 10Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/19/2026)
- Feb 10Bill referred to House Calendar
- Jan 29In Messages
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 29Immediately certified
- Jan 29Passed; YEAS 35 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Jan 29Read 3rd timeMinor
- Jan 29Read 2nd timeMinor
- Jan 27Placed on Special Order Calendar, 01/29/26
- Vote recorded Favorable. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 27Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Jan 27Favorable by- Rules; YEAS 22 NAYS 0Minor
- Jan 22On Committee agenda-- Rules, 01/27/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building
- Jan 13IntroducedMinor
- Jan 12Now in Rules
- Vote recorded Favorable. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 12Favorable by Governmental Oversight and Accountability; YEAS 9 NAYS 0Minor
- Jan 5On Committee agenda-- Governmental Oversight and Accountability, 01/12/26, 1:30 pm, 110 Senate Building
- 2025
- Nov 21Referred to Governmental Oversight and Accountability; RulesMinor
- Nov 18FiledMinor
- Vote recorded Submitted and Reported Favorably as Committee. Result: pass.Upper
- Nov 18Submitted as Committee Bill and Reported Favorably by Criminal Justice; YEAS 7 NAYS 0
- Nov 10On Committee agenda-- Criminal Justice, 11/18/25, 10:00 am, 37 Senate Building
- Nov 10Submitted for consideration by Criminal JusticeIntroduced
Criminal JusticeGovernment & Ethics