This bill amends sections 394.464 and 397.6760 of the Florida Statutes to ensure that all court hearings related to mental health examinations and substance abuse treatment are confidential and closed to the public, unless there is consent from the respondent or a judicial finding of good cause. It establishes that the names of respondents and all related petitions, applications, and court orders are confidential and exempt from public records requirements. The bill also allows for the disclosure of certain confidential documents to specified service providers and authorizes courts to use respondents' names for case scheduling and adjudication purposes.

Additionally, the bill revises existing public records exemptions to include specific petitions and applications, and it mandates that the confidentiality provisions apply to records held by the Division of Administrative Hearings. The legislation includes a provision for future legislative review and potential repeal of the exemptions by October 2, 2031. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and includes statements of public necessity emphasizing the importance of protecting sensitive personal information related to mental health and substance use disorders.

Statutes affected:
S 876 Filed: 394.464, 397.6760