(1) All petitions for voluntary and involuntary admission for mental health treatment, court orders, and related records that are filed with or by a court under this part are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. Pleadings and other documents made confidential and exempt by this section may be disclosed by the clerk of the court, upon request, to any of the following:
(a) The petitioner.
(b) The petitioner’s attorney.
(c) The respondent.
(d) The respondent’s attorney.
(e) The respondent’s guardian or guardian advocate, if applicable.
(f) In the case of a minor respondent, the respondent’s parent, guardian, legal custodian, or guardian advocate.
(g) The respondent’s treating health care practitioner.
(h) The respondent’s health care surrogate or proxy.
(i) The Department of Children and Families, without charge.
(j) The Department of Corrections, without charge, if the respondent is committed or is to be returned to the custody of the Department of Corrections from the Department of Children and Families.
(k) A person or entity authorized to view records upon a court order for good cause. In determining if there is good cause for the disclosure of records, the court must weigh the person or entity’s need for the information against potential harm to the respondent from the disclosure.
(2) This section does not preclude the clerk of the court from submitting the information required by s. 790.065 to the Department of Law Enforcement.
(3) The clerk of the court may not publish personal identifying information on a court docket or in a publicly accessible file.
(4) A person or entity receiving information pursuant to this section shall maintain that information as confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(5) The exemption under this section applies to all documents filed with a court before, on, or after July 1, 2019.
(6) This section is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2024, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2019-51.
Structure Florida Statutes
Part I - Florida Mental Health Act (Ss. 394.451-394.47892)
394.457 - Operation and administration.
394.4572 - Screening of mental health personnel.
394.458 - Introduction or removal of certain articles unlawful; penalty.
394.4593 - Sexual misconduct prohibited; reporting required; penalties.
394.4595 - Florida statewide and local advocacy councils; access to patients and records.
394.4597 - Persons to be notified; patient’s representative.
394.460 - Rights of professionals.
394.461 - Designation of receiving and treatment facilities and receiving systems.
394.4612 - Integrated adult mental health crisis stabilization and addictions receiving facilities.
394.4615 - Clinical records; confidentiality.
394.4625 - Voluntary admissions.
394.463 - Involuntary examination.
394.464 - Court records; confidentiality.
394.4655 - Involuntary outpatient services.
394.467 - Involuntary inpatient placement.
394.46715 - Rulemaking authority.
394.4672 - Procedure for placement of veteran with federal agency.
394.468 - Admission and discharge procedures.
394.4685 - Transfer of patients among facilities.
394.469 - Discharge of involuntary patients.
394.473 - Attorney’s fee; expert witness fee.
394.4781 - Residential care for psychotic and emotionally disturbed children.
394.4784 - Minors; access to outpatient crisis intervention services and treatment.
394.4785 - Children and adolescents; admission and placement in mental facilities.
394.47865 - South Florida State Hospital; privatization.
394.4787 - Definitions; ss. 394.4786, 394.4787, 394.4788, and 394.4789.
394.4788 - Use of certain PMATF funds for the purchase of acute care mental health services.
394.4789 - Establishment of referral process and eligibility determination.