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SB 520 — Public Records/Dental Workforce Surveys
by Senator Richter
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Health Policy Committee (HP)
The bill creates a public records exemption for personal identifying information provided by dentists or dental hygienists to the Department of Health (DOH) in their responses to dental workforce surveys. The DOH administers the surveys as part of license renewal, and participation is voluntary. Data collected through the surveys are used by the DOH and other stakeholders to plan for an adequate workforce and to support programs and policies which aim to improve oral health in Florida.
The bill makes the information confidential and exempt, but requires disclosure of the data with written consent of the licensee or his or her authorized representative or by court order, and allows disclosure to a research entity pursuant to an approved research protocol and purchase and use agreement. The DOH may deny the request of a research entity if it is intrusive to the licensees or administratively burdensome, or lacks scientific merit or a plan for disposing of records.
The exemption is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and will stand repealed on October 2, 2019, unless reviewed and reenacted by the Legislature.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect upon becoming law.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 116-0