S 864

Florida Senate - 2026  CS for SB 864
By the Committee on Health Policy; and Senator Sharief
588-02420-26  2026864c1
1A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to public records; amending s.
3381.9312, F.S.; providing an exemption from public
4records requirements for certain records and personal
5identifying information submitted to the Department of
6Health for inclusion in the uterine fibroid research
7database; providing for future legislative review and
8repeal; providing a statement of public necessity;
9providing an effective date.
10
11Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
12
13Section 1. Subsection (4) is added to section 381.9312,
14Florida Statutes, to read:
15381.9312 Uterine fibroid research database; education and
16public awareness.—
17(4) PUBLIC RECORDS EXEMPTION.—All records and personal
18identifying information relating to women diagnosed with or
19treated for uterine fibroids which is submitted to the
20department under this section are confidential and exempt from
21s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
22This subsection is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review
23Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on
24October 2, 2031, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through
25reenactment by the Legislature.
26Section 2. The Legislature finds that it is a public
27necessity to make all records and personal identifying
28information relating to women diagnosed with or treated for
29uterine fibroids which is submitted to the Department of Health
30under s. 381.9312, Florida Statutes, confidential and exempt
31from s. 119.07(1), Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of
32the State Constitution. The Department of Health is unable to
33effectively implement the legislative purpose of the uterine
34fibroid research database, created under s. 381.9312, Florida
35Statutes, without access to these records and information, which
36include personal medical information, the disclosure of which
37would violate federal patient privacy laws, including the Health
38Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Therefore,
39the Legislature finds thatit is a public necessity to make such
40records and information held by the department confidential and
41exempt to protect the privacy rights of women diagnosed with and
42treated for uterine fibroids in this state and promote the
43effective administration of the department’s epidemiological
44research and tracking activities.
45Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.