(1) The books and records of a family trust company, licensed family trust company, or foreign licensed family trust company are confidential and shall be made available for inspection and examination only:

(a) To the office or its authorized representative;

(b) To any person authorized to act for the company;

(c) As compelled by a court, pursuant to a subpoena issued pursuant to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, or the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or pursuant to a subpoena issued in accordance with state or federal law. Before the production of the books and records of a family trust company, licensed family trust company, or foreign licensed family trust company, the party seeking production must reimburse the company for the reasonable costs and fees incurred in compliance with the production. If the parties disagree regarding the amount of reimbursement, the party seeking the records may request the court having jurisdiction to set the amount of reimbursement;

(d) Pursuant to a subpoena, to any federal or state law enforcement or prosecutorial instrumentality authorized to investigate suspected criminal activity;

(e) As authorized by the board of directors, if in corporate form, or the managers, if in limited liability company form; or

(f) As provided in subsection (2).

(2)(a) Each customer and stockholder, if a corporation, or member, if a limited liability company, has the right to inspect the books and records of a family trust company or licensed family trust company as they pertain to his or her accounts or the determination of his or her voting rights.

(b) The books and records pertaining to customers, members, and stockholders of a family trust company or licensed family trust company shall be kept confidential by the company and its directors, managers, officers, and employees. The books and records of customers, members, and stockholders may not be released except upon the express authorization of the customer as to his or her own accounts or a stockholder or member regarding his or her voting rights. However, information may be released, without the authorization of a customer, member, or shareholder in a manner prescribed by the board of directors, if a corporation, or managers, if a limited liability company, to verify or corroborate the existence or amount of a customer’s account if that information is reasonably provided to meet the needs of commerce and to ensure accurate credit information. Notwithstanding this paragraph, this subsection does not prohibit a family trust company or licensed family trust company from disclosing financial information referenced in this subsection as permitted under 15 U.S.C. s. 6802, as amended.

(c) A person who willfully violates a provision of this section which relates to unlawful disclosure of confidential information commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(d) This subsection does not apply to a foreign licensed family trust company. The laws of the jurisdiction of its principal place of business govern the rights of customers, members, and stockholders to inspect its books and records.

(3) For purposes of this section, the term “books and records” includes, but is not limited to, an application for a license and any documents connected with the application under s. 662.121; the office’s corresponding investigation under s. 662.1215 in granting or denying the issuance of the license; the initial registration documents of a family trust company or foreign licensed family trust company under s. 662.122; the annual renewal made by a family trust company, licensed family trust company, or foreign licensed family trust company under s. 662.128; and the documentation submitted to the office in connection with a licensed family trust company discontinuing its business under s. 662.129.

History.—s. 33, ch. 2014-97; s. 86, ch. 2015-2.