Florida lottery jackpot winners will have three months to get their finances in order before their names go public.
Gov. Ron DeSantis late Wednesday signed 10 bills into law, including a measure (HB 159) that created a public-records exemption for the names of people who win lottery prizes of $250,000 or more.
The exemption would last for 90 days, with the clock running from the time prizes are claimed. During a November committee meeting, Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book, D-Plantation, said dreams of winning big jackpots often become nightmares.
“These winners endure all types of scams, harassment and even loss of life,” Book said.
The $250,000 mark was set because prizes of that amount or more require winners to travel to lottery headquarters in Tallahassee.
The House and Senate passed the bill in February, with only two dissenting votes.
Visit Tampafp.com for Politics, Tampa Area Local News, Sports, and National Headlines. Support journalism by clicking here to our GiveSendGo or sign up for our free newsletter by clicking here.
Android Users, Click Here To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook Here Or Twitter Here.
Copyright 2022 The Free Press, LLC, tampafp.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.