Florida Senate - 2017                                    SB 1526
       
       
        
       By Senator Bracy
       
       
       
       
       
       11-01217B-17                                          20171526__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to public records; amending s. 945.10,
    3         F.S.; providing that certain protected health
    4         information held by the Department of Corrections is
    5         confidential and exempt from public records
    6         requirements; authorizing the release of protected
    7         health information and other records of an inmate to
    8         certain entities, subject to specified conditions and
    9         under certain circumstances; providing a statement of
   10         public necessity; providing an effective date.
   11          
   12  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   13  
   14         Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
   15  945.10, Florida Statutes, is amended, present paragraph (h) of
   16  that subsection is redesignated as paragraph (i), a new
   17  paragraph (h) is added to that subsection, subsection (2) of
   18  that section is amended, and subsection (6) is added to that
   19  section, to read:
   20         945.10 Confidential information.—
   21         (1) Except as otherwise provided by law or in this section,
   22  the following records and information held by the Department of
   23  Corrections are confidential and exempt from the provisions of
   24  s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution:
   25         (a)1. Mental health, medical, or substance abuse records of
   26  an inmate or an offender; and
   27         2. Protected health information of an inmate or an
   28  offender. Protected health information, as used in this section,
   29  has the same meaning as provided in 45 C.F.R. s. 160.103. This
   30  subparagraph is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act
   31  in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October
   32  2, 2022, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through
   33  reenactment by the Legislature.
   34         (h)The identity of any inmate or offender upon whom an HIV
   35  test has been performed and the inmate’s or offender’s test
   36  results, in accordance with s. 381.004. The term HIV test” has
   37  the same meaning as provided in s. 381.004. This paragraph is
   38  subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance
   39  with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2022,
   40  unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the
   41  Legislature.
   42         (2) The records and information specified in paragraphs
   43  (1)(a)-(i) (1)(a)-(h) may be released as follows unless
   44  expressly prohibited by federal law:
   45         (a) Information specified in paragraphs (1)(b), (d), and
   46  (f) to the Executive Office of the Governor, the Legislature,
   47  the Florida Commission on Offender Review, the Department of
   48  Children and Families, a private correctional facility or
   49  program that operates under a contract, the Department of Legal
   50  Affairs, a state attorney, the court, or a law enforcement
   51  agency. A request for records or information pursuant to this
   52  paragraph need not be in writing.
   53         (b) Information specified in paragraphs (1)(c), (e), and
   54  (i) (h) to the Executive Office of the Governor, the
   55  Legislature, the Florida Commission on Offender Review, the
   56  Department of Children and Families, a private correctional
   57  facility or program that operates under contract, the Department
   58  of Legal Affairs, a state attorney, the court, or a law
   59  enforcement agency. A request for records or information
   60  pursuant to this paragraph must be in writing and a statement
   61  provided demonstrating a need for the records or information.
   62         (c) Information specified in paragraph (1)(b) to an
   63  attorney representing an inmate under sentence of death, except
   64  those portions of the records containing a victim’s statement or
   65  address, or the statement or address of a relative of the
   66  victim. A request for records of information pursuant to this
   67  paragraph must be in writing and a statement provided
   68  demonstrating a need for the records or information.
   69         (d) Information specified in paragraph (1)(b) to a public
   70  defender representing a defendant, except those portions of the
   71  records containing a victim’s statement or address, or the
   72  statement or address of a relative of the victim. A request for
   73  records or information pursuant to this paragraph need not be in
   74  writing.
   75         (e) Information specified in paragraph (1)(b) to state or
   76  local governmental agencies. A request for records or
   77  information pursuant to this paragraph must be in writing and a
   78  statement provided demonstrating a need for the records or
   79  information.
   80         (f) Information specified in paragraph (1)(b) to a person
   81  conducting legitimate research. A request for records and
   82  information pursuant to this paragraph must be in writing, the
   83  person requesting the records or information must sign a
   84  confidentiality agreement, and the department must approve the
   85  request in writing.
   86         (g) Protected health information and records specified in
   87  paragraphs paragraph (1)(a) and (h) to the Department of Health
   88  and the county health department where an inmate plans to reside
   89  if he or she has tested positive for the presence of the
   90  antibody or antigen to human immunodeficiency virus infection or
   91  as authorized in s. 381.004.
   92         (h)Protected health information and mental health,
   93  medical, or substance abuse records specified in paragraph
   94  (1)(a) to the Executive Office of the Governor, the Correctional
   95  Medical Authority, and the Department of Health for health care
   96  oversight activities authorized by state or federal law,
   97  including audits; civil, administrative, or criminal
   98  investigations; or inspections relating to the provision of
   99  health services, in accordance with 45 C.F.R. part 164, subpart
  100  E.
  101         (i)Protected health information and mental health,
  102  medical, or substance abuse records specified in paragraph
  103  (1)(a) to a state attorney, a state court, or a law enforcement
  104  agency conducting an ongoing criminal investigation, if the
  105  inmate agrees to the disclosure and provides written consent or,
  106  if the inmate refuses to provide written consent, in response to
  107  an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, a subpoena,
  108  including a grand jury, investigative, or administrative
  109  subpoena, a court-ordered warrant, or a statutorily authorized
  110  investigative demand or other process as authorized by law, in
  111  accordance with 45 C.F.R. part 164, subpart E, provided that:
  112         1. The protected health information and records sought are
  113  relevant and material to a legitimate law enforcement inquiry;
  114         2.There is a clear connection between the investigated
  115  incident and the inmate whose protected health information and
  116  records are sought;
  117         3.The request is specific and limited in scope to the
  118  extent reasonably practicable in light of the purpose for which
  119  the information or records are sought; and
  120         4.De-identified information could not reasonably be used.
  121         (j)Protected health information and mental health,
  122  medical, or substance abuse records specified in paragraph
  123  (1)(a) of an inmate who is or is suspected of being the victim
  124  of a crime, to a state attorney or a law enforcement agency if
  125  the inmate agrees to the disclosure and provides written consent
  126  or, if the inmate is unable to agree because of incapacity or
  127  other emergency circumstance, in accordance with 45 C.F.R. part
  128  164, subpart E, provided that:
  129         1.Such protected health information and records are needed
  130  to determine whether a violation of law by a person other than
  131  the inmate victim has occurred;
  132         2.Such protected health information or records are not
  133  intended to be used against the inmate victim;
  134         3.The immediate law enforcement activity that depends upon
  135  the disclosure would be materially and adversely affected by
  136  waiting until the inmate victim is able to agree to the
  137  disclosure; and
  138         4.The disclosure is in the best interests of the inmate
  139  victim, as determined by the department.
  140         (k)Protected health information and mental health,
  141  medical, or substance abuse records specified in paragraph
  142  (1)(a) to a state attorney or a law enforcement agency if the
  143  department believes in good faith that the information and
  144  records constitute evidence of criminal conduct that occurred in
  145  a correctional institution or facility, in accordance with 45
  146  C.F.R. part 164, subpart E, provided that:
  147         1.The protected health information and records disclosed
  148  are specific and limited in scope to the extent reasonably
  149  practicable in light of the purpose for which the information or
  150  records are sought;
  151         2.There is a clear connection between the criminal conduct
  152  and the inmate whose protected health information and records
  153  are sought; and
  154         3.De-identified information could not reasonably be used.
  155         (l)Protected health information and mental health,
  156  medical, or substance abuse records specified in paragraph
  157  (1)(a) to the Division of Risk Management of the Department of
  158  Financial Services, in accordance with 45 C.F.R. part 164,
  159  subpart E, upon certification by the Division of Risk Management
  160  that such information and records are necessary to investigate
  161  and provide legal representation for a claim against the
  162  Department of Corrections.
  163         (m)Protected health information and mental health,
  164  medical, or substance abuse records specified in paragraph
  165  (1)(a) of an inmate who is bringing a legal action against the
  166  department, to the Department of Legal Affairs or to an attorney
  167  retained to represent the department in a legal proceeding, in
  168  accordance with 45 C.F.R. part 164, subpart E.
  169         (n)Protected health information and mental health,
  170  medical, or substance abuse records of an inmate as specified in
  171  paragraph (1)(a) to another correctional institution or facility
  172  or law enforcement official having lawful custody of the inmate,
  173  in accordance with 45 C.F.R. part 164, subpart E, if the
  174  protected health information or records are necessary for:
  175         1.The provision of health care to the inmate;
  176         2.The health and safety of the inmate or other inmates;
  177         3.The health and safety of the officers, employees, or
  178  others at the correctional institution or facility;
  179         4.The health and safety of the individuals or officers
  180  responsible for transporting the inmate from one correctional
  181  institution, facility, or setting to another;
  182         5.Law enforcement on the premises of the correctional
  183  institution or facility; or
  184         6.The administration and maintenance of the safety,
  185  security, and good order of the correctional institution or
  186  facility.
  187         (o)Protected health information and mental health,
  188  medical, or substance abuse records of an inmate as specified in
  189  paragraph (1)(a) to the Department of Children and Families and
  190  the Florida Commission on Offender Review, in accordance with 45
  191  C.F.R. part 164, subpart E, if the inmate received mental health
  192  treatment while in the custody of the Department of Corrections
  193  and becomes eligible for release under supervision or upon the
  194  end of his or her sentence.
  195         (p) Notwithstanding s. 456.057 and in accordance with 45
  196  C.F.R. part 164, subpart E, protected health information and
  197  mental health, medical, or substance abuse records specified in
  198  paragraph (1)(a) of a deceased inmate or offender to an
  199  individual with authority to act on behalf of the deceased
  200  inmate or offender, upon the individual’s request. For purposes
  201  of this section, the following individuals have authority to act
  202  on behalf of a deceased inmate or offender only for the purpose
  203  of requesting access to such protected health information and
  204  records:
  205         1.A person appointed by a court to act as the personal
  206  representative, executor, administrator, curator, or temporary
  207  administrator of the deceased inmate’s or offender’s estate;
  208         2.If a court has not made a judicial appointment under
  209  subparagraph 1., a person designated by the inmate or offender
  210  to act as his or her personal representative in a last will that
  211  is self-proved under s. 732.503; or
  212         3.If a court has not made a judicial appointment under
  213  subparagraph 1. or if the inmate or offender has not designated
  214  a person in a self-proved last will as provided in subparagraph
  215  2., only the following individuals:
  216         a. A surviving spouse.
  217         b. If there is no surviving spouse, a surviving adult child
  218  of the inmate or offender.
  219         c. If there is no surviving spouse or adult child, a parent
  220  of the inmate or offender.
  221         (q) All requests for access to a deceased inmate’s or
  222  offender’s protected health information or mental health,
  223  medical, or substance abuse records specified in paragraph
  224  (1)(a) must be in writing and must be accompanied by the
  225  following:
  226         1.If made by a person authorized under subparagraph (p)1.,
  227  a copy of the letter of administration and a copy of the court
  228  order appointing such person as the representative of the
  229  inmate’s or offender’s estate.
  230         2.If made by a person authorized under subparagraph (p)2.,
  231  a copy of the self-proved last will designating the person as
  232  the inmate’s or offender’s representative.
  233         3.If made by a person authorized under subparagraph (p)3.,
  234  a letter from the person’s attorney verifying the person’s
  235  relationship to the inmate or offender and the absence of a
  236  court-appointed representative and self-proved last will.
  237  
  238  Records and information released under this subsection remain
  239  confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and
  240  s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution when held by the
  241  receiving person or entity.
  242         (6) This section does not limit any right to obtain records
  243  by subpoena or other court process.
  244         Section 2. The Legislature finds that it is a public
  245  necessity that an inmate's or offender’s protected health
  246  information and HIV testing information held by the Department
  247  of Corrections pursuant to s. 945.10, Florida Statutes, remain
  248  confidential and exempt from public disclosure as the
  249  Legislature envisioned in this statute and as provided in
  250  department rules. Allowing protected health information to be
  251  publicly disclosed would in some cases cause a conflict with
  252  existing federal law and would be a violation of an inmate's or
  253  offender’s privacy under the State Constitution. Maintaining the
  254  confidentiality of an inmate's or offender’s HIV testing
  255  information is essential to his or her participation in such
  256  testing. Thus, the harm from disclosure would outweigh any
  257  public benefit derived therefrom. Appropriate records and
  258  protected health information are available, however, to various
  259  governmental entities in order for them to perform their duties.
  260  It is mandatory that prisons function as effectively,
  261  efficiently, and nonviolently as possible. To release such
  262  information to the public would severely impede that function
  263  and would jeopardize the health and safety of those within and
  264  outside the prison system.
  265         Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2017.