A Florida Senate committee will review a proposal Tuesday aimed at safeguarding the privacy and safety of state and local elected officials by shielding their home addresses—and those of their spouses and children—from public disclosure.
The Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee is set to consider SB 268, a bill filed by Sen. Shevrin Jones (D-Miami Gardens). The legislation seeks to create a public records exemption for the residential addresses of elected officials, arguing that the potential harm posed by releasing such personal information outweighs any public benefit.
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The bill comes amid growing concerns over threats, harassment, and intimidation faced by public officials and their families due to their high-profile roles. “Public officers are often confronted with making difficult and impactful policy decisions,” the bill states. “As a result, public officers and their families may receive threats, including, but not limited to, verbal threats, harassment, and intimidation, as a result of carrying out their official duties.”
Florida is known for having some of the nation’s most expansive public records laws, designed to promote government transparency and accountability. However, proponents of SB 268 argue that current laws do not adequately protect public officials from becoming targets of politically motivated threats or harassment.
The proposal aligns with a broader national debate on the safety of public figures. In recent years, increased polarization and the rise of social media have heightened the risks of harassment and violence against elected officials, prompting several states to enact measures protecting the personal information of public servants, judges, and law enforcement officers.
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This bill comes on the heels of multiple “Swatting” incidents that took place leading up to the 2024 election.
Senators Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced the Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act in January, legislation aimed at curbing the dangerous practice of “swatting.” The bill specifically targets false crime reports designed to provoke emergency law enforcement responses at a targeted location, imposing strict penalties on those found guilty of such hoaxes.
The proposed bill expands the federal criminal hoax statute to explicitly prohibit swatting, which has become an alarming trend nationwide.
Key provisions include:
- Up to 20 years in prison for swatting incidents that result in serious injuries.
- Enhanced federal authority to prosecute individuals who engage in swatting, ensuring tougher consequences for these malicious acts.
The legislation has garnered endorsements from the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) and the National Sheriffs’ Association. Congressman David Kustoff (R-Tenn.) is leading the effort in the House of Representatives.
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Senator Rick Scott, who has personally experienced swatting attempts, expressed his outrage over the practice.
“The cowards behind ‘swatting’ calls intentionally waste the time and resources of law enforcement and put people in danger in an attempt to inflict fear in communities and terrorize their targets,” Scott said. “It’s absolutely despicable, and those responsible must face real consequences for their actions. Swatters have attempted attacks on my family’s home, the homes of public officials, Trump administration nominees, and so many others—it has to stop.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville also recounted personal experiences with swatting.
“My home was swatted twice around Christmas last year in a dangerous attempt to intimidate my family and me,” Tuberville said. “Our brave men and women in blue shouldn’t have to use valuable time and resources answering hoax calls when they could be protecting communities and getting criminals off the street.”
Law enforcement organizations have praised the proposed legislation for addressing a practice that jeopardizes public safety. Swatting incidents often escalate quickly, putting both law enforcement and innocent civilians at risk. In some cases, swatting has resulted in fatalities and traumatic consequences for victims.
Swatting has increasingly been used as a tool of intimidation and harassment, often targeting high-profile individuals, including public officials, celebrities, and private citizens. By criminalizing this behavior at the federal level and imposing stringent penalties, lawmakers hope to deter swatting and send a clear message about the serious consequences of such actions.
The bill now moves to the Senate for debate, with its proponents optimistic about bipartisan support. If passed, it would represent a significant step forward in protecting com
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