Public Records Exemption.

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(1) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:

(a) “Reports of examinations, operations, or conditions” means records submitted to or prepared by the office as part of the office’s duties performed pursuant to s. 655.012 or s. 655.045(1).

(b) “Working papers” means the records of the procedure followed, the tests performed, the information obtained, and the conclusions reached in an examination under s. 655.032 or s. 655.045. The term also includes books and records.

(2) PUBLIC RECORDS EXEMPTION.—The following information held by the office is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution:

(a) Any personal identifying information appearing in records relating to a registration, an application, or an annual certification of a family trust company, licensed family trust company, or foreign licensed family trust company.

(b) Any personal identifying information appearing in records relating to an examination of a family trust company, licensed family trust company, or foreign licensed family trust company.

(c) Any personal identifying information appearing in reports of examinations, operations, or conditions of a family trust company, licensed family trust company, or foreign licensed family trust company, including working papers.

(d) Any portion of a list of names of the shareholders or members of a family trust company, licensed family trust company, or foreign licensed family trust company.

(e) Information received by the office from a person from another state or nation or the Federal Government which is otherwise confidential or exempt pursuant to the laws of that state or nation or pursuant to federal law.

(f) An emergency cease and desist order issued under s. 662.143 until the emergency order is made permanent unless the office finds that such confidentiality will result in substantial risk of financial loss to the public.

(3) AUTHORIZED RELEASE OF CONFIDENTIAL AND EXEMPT INFORMATION.—Information made confidential and exempt under subsection (2) may be disclosed by the office:

(a) To the authorized representative or representatives of the family trust company, licensed family trust company, or foreign licensed family trust company under examination. The authorized representative or representatives shall be identified in a resolution or by written consent of the board of directors if the trust company is a corporation, or of the managers if the trust company is a limited liability company.

(b) To a fidelity insurance company, upon written consent of the trust company’s board of directors if a corporation, or its managers if a limited liability company.

(c) To an independent auditor, upon written consent of the trust company’s board of directors if a corporation, or its managers if a limited liability company.

(d) To a liquidator, receiver, or conservator for a family trust company, licensed family trust company, or foreign licensed family trust company if a liquidator, receiver, or conservator is appointed. However, any portion of the information which discloses the identity of a bondholder, customer, family member, member, or stockholder must be redacted by the office before releasing such portion to the liquidator, receiver, or conservator.

(e) To any other state, federal, or foreign agency responsible for the regulation or supervision of family trust companies, licensed family trust companies, or foreign licensed family trust companies.

(f) To a law enforcement agency in the furtherance of the agency’s official duties and responsibilities.

(g) To the appropriate law enforcement or prosecutorial agency for the purpose of reporting any suspected criminal activity.

(h) Pursuant to a legislative subpoena. A legislative body or committee that receives records or information pursuant to such a subpoena must maintain the confidential status of such records or information, except in a case involving the investigation of charges against a public official subject to impeachment or removal, in which case records or information shall only be disclosed to the extent necessary as determined by such legislative body or committee.

(4) PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION.—This section does not prevent or restrict the publication of:

(a) A report required by federal law.

(b) The name of the family trust company, licensed family trust company, or foreign licensed family trust company and the name and address of the registered agent of that company.

(5) PENALTY.—A person who willfully discloses information made confidential and exempt by this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

History.—s. 1, ch. 2014-102; s. 1, ch. 2019-31.


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