Q: Are there any legislative updates you’d like to discuss?
A: Yes, Florida Statute 119.071 was amended this past legislative session and the new requirements go into effect on Oct. 1, 2021.

Q: What does Florida Statute 119.071 pertain to?
A: This statute provides for confidentiality and protection of information maintained by state agencies for certain individuals. These individuals include victims of violent crimes, sworn law enforcement officers, investigators with the Department of Children and Family, state attorneys, judges, public defenders, probation officers, tax collectors, etc. At this time, the personal information of these individuals is exempt from public viewing. So for example, if you went online and searched, either by name or by property address, you would find no records at all. Additionally, our response to a phone call to our office would be that we have no information. 

Q: What does the amendment allow going forward after Oct. 1?
A: After Oct. 1, the only thing we will now protect is the individual’s name. Parcels of property will be publicly viewable online, we will just suppress the name and any link to official records. We will also protect the individual’s name on any other real estate parcel, whether homesteaded or not. But the only way to find information is to search by the address of the property, not by the name, as that is still protected.

Support Community Journalism in Ponta Vedra NewsLine

Q: Why was this change made?
A: Companies like title insurance companies, mortgage companies and general contractors didn’t have access to parcel information that they needed to do their jobs.

Q: Will these protected individuals be informed of the upcoming change?
A: Our office will be reaching out to all protected status taxpayers shortly. But if they have any questions in the meantime, they can call our office for more information. 

Q: What is the best way for our readers to contact you?

A: Our office is located at 4030 Lewis Speedway Ste. 203, (904) 827-5500. It is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Also, readers can email me at Eddie@sjcpa.us or call me at (904) 827-5500.

  • Support Community Journalism in Ponta Vedra NewsLine
  • Advertise in our May Issue The Creek Line