Downloads
HB 35 — Public Records and Meetings/Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact
by Reps. Hunschofsky, Koster, and others (CS/CS/SB 58 by Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services; Health Policy Committee; and Senator Harrell)
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 public record and public meeting exemptions for the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT).
The bill protects from public disclosure a psychologist’s personal identifying information, other than the psychologist’s name, licensure status, or license number, obtained from the coordinated licensure information system (coordinated system) and held by the Florida Department of Health or Board of Psychology, unless the state that originally reported the information to the coordinated system authorizes the disclosure by law.
The bill exempts a meeting or a portion of a meeting of the PSYPACT Commission (commission) if the commission must discuss:
- A compact state’s noncompliance.
- Matters related to the commission’s internal personnel practices and procedures.
- Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation.
- Contract negotiations.
- Accusation of any person of a crime or a formal censure of a person.
- Information disclosing trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential.
- Personal information in which disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
- Investigatory records compiled for law enforcement purposes.
- Information related to investigatory reports for use by the commission regarding compliance issues pursuant to the compact.
- Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or state statute.
Recordings, minutes, and records generated during an exempt commission meeting are exempted from the public records provisions.
The exemptions are subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and will stand repealed on October 2, 2028, unless reviewed and reenacted by the Legislature. The bill provides a statement of public necessity as required by the State Constitution.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect on the same date that CS/HB 33 takes effect.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 116-0