This bill amends section 381.9312 of the Florida Statutes to establish a public records exemption for certain records and personal identifying information related to women diagnosed with or treated for uterine fibroids. Specifically, it states that all such records submitted to the Department of Health for inclusion in the uterine fibroid research database are confidential and exempt from public records requirements as outlined in s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Article I of the State Constitution. The bill also includes a provision for future legislative review and repeal, indicating that this exemption will be subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and will automatically be repealed on October 2, 2031, unless it is reviewed and reenacted by the Legislature.
Additionally, the bill articulates a public necessity for this exemption, emphasizing that the Department of Health requires access to these confidential records to effectively implement the uterine fibroid research database. The disclosure of personal medical information could violate federal patient privacy laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. By protecting the privacy rights of affected women, the bill aims to facilitate the effective administration of the Department's epidemiological research and tracking activities. The act is set to take effect contingent upon the passage of related legislation.