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The Florida Senate

CS/CS/SB 716 — Public Records/Animal Medical Records

by Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee; Regulated Industries Committee; and Senators Hays, Soto, and Diaz de la Portilla

This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.

Prepared by: Regulated Industries Committee (RI)

The bill makes animal medical records held by any state college of veterinary medicine accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education confidential and exempt from public inspection and copying.

In addition, the bill makes medical records that are transferred by a records owner in connection with official business by any accredited state college of veterinary medicine confidential and exempt from disclosure. Confidential and exempt animal medical records may be disclosed to another governmental entity in the performance of its duties and responsibilities and as provided by current law governing veterinary medical records. The bill provides a public necessity statement justifying the exemption pursuant to s. 24(c), Art. I, of the State Constitution, and includes a finding that the exemption permits eligible veterinary colleges to effectively and efficiently carry out their mission to educate veterinary medicine students.

The bill provides that the public record exemption is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and stands repealed on October 2, 2020, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.

If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2015.

Vote: Senate 37-1; House 116-0