HB 0263 2003
1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to psychotherapist-patient privilege;
3	amending s. 90.503, F.S.; redefining the term
4	“psychotherapist” to include certain advanced registered
5	nurse practitioners; providing an effective date.
6
7	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
8
9	Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
10	90.503, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
11	90.503 Psychotherapist-patient privilege.--
12	(1) For purposes of this section:
13	(a) A "psychotherapist" is:
14	1. A person authorized to practice medicine in any state
15	or nation, or reasonably believed by the patient so to be, who
16	is engaged in the diagnosis or treatment of a mental or
17	emotional condition, including alcoholism and other drug
18	addiction;
19	2. A person licensed or certified as a psychologist under
20	the laws of any state or nation, who is engaged primarily in the
21	diagnosis or treatment of a mental or emotional condition,
22	including alcoholism and other drug addiction;
23	3. A person licensed or certified as a clinical social
24	worker, marriage and family therapist, or mental health
25	counselor under the laws of this state, who is engaged primarily
26	in the diagnosis or treatment of a mental or emotional
27	condition, including alcoholism and other drug addiction;or
28	4. An advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed
29	under s. 464.012, who is certified in psychotherapist/mental
30	health nursing and is engaged in a clinical practice that
31	primarily involves the treatment of mental or emotional
32	conditions, including chemical abuse; or
33	5.4.Treatment personnel of facilities licensed by the
34	state pursuant to chapter 394, chapter 395, or chapter 397, of
35	facilities designated by the Department of Children and Family
36	Services pursuant to chapter 394 as treatment facilities, or of
37	facilities defined as community mental health centers pursuant
38	to s. 394.907(1), who are engaged primarily in the diagnosis or
39	treatment of a mental or emotional condition, including
40	alcoholism and other drug addiction.
41	Section 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.
42