HB 187

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to lawful testing for alcohol, chemical
3substances, or controlled substances; amending s.
4316.1932, F.S.; limiting information to be made available
5to a person tested to determine the amount of alcohol in
6the person's blood or breath or the presence of chemical
7substances or controlled substances; amending s. 327.352,
8F.S.; limiting information to be made available to a
9person tested to determine the amount of alcohol in the
10person's blood or breath or the presence of chemical
11substances or controlled substances; providing an
12effective date.
13
14Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
15
16     Section 1.  Paragraphs (a), (c), and (f) of subsection (1)
17of section 316.1932, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
18     316.1932  Tests for alcohol, chemical substances, or
19controlled substances; implied consent; refusal.--
20     (1)(a)1.a.  Any person who accepts the privilege extended
21by the laws of this state of operating a motor vehicle within
22this state is, by so operating such vehicle, deemed to have
23given his or her consent to submit to an approved chemical test
24or physical test including, but not limited to, an infrared
25light test of his or her breath for the purpose of determining
26the alcoholic content of his or her blood or breath if the
27person is lawfully arrested for any offense allegedly committed
28while the person was driving or was in actual physical control
29of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic
30beverages. The chemical or physical breath test must be
31incidental to a lawful arrest and administered at the request of
32a law enforcement officer who has reasonable cause to believe
33such person was driving or was in actual physical control of the
34motor vehicle within this state while under the influence of
35alcoholic beverages. The administration of a breath test does
36not preclude the administration of another type of test. The
37person shall be told that his or her failure to submit to any
38lawful test of his or her breath will result in the suspension
39of the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a
40period of 1 year for a first refusal, or for a period of 18
41months if the driving privilege of such person has been
42previously suspended as a result of a refusal to submit to such
43a test or tests, and shall also be told that if he or she
44refuses to submit to a lawful test of his or her breath and his
45or her driving privilege has been previously suspended for a
46prior refusal to submit to a lawful test of his or her breath,
47urine, or blood, he or she commits a misdemeanor in addition to
48any other penalties. The refusal to submit to a chemical or
49physical breath test upon the request of a law enforcement
50officer as provided in this section is admissible into evidence
51in any criminal proceeding.
52     b.  Any person who accepts the privilege extended by the
53laws of this state of operating a motor vehicle within this
54state is, by so operating such vehicle, deemed to have given his
55or her consent to submit to a urine test for the purpose of
56detecting the presence of chemical substances as set forth in s.
57877.111 or controlled substances if the person is lawfully
58arrested for any offense allegedly committed while the person
59was driving or was in actual physical control of a motor vehicle
60while under the influence of chemical substances or controlled
61substances. The urine test must be incidental to a lawful arrest
62and administered at a detention facility or any other facility,
63mobile or otherwise, which is equipped to administer such tests
64at the request of a law enforcement officer who has reasonable
65cause to believe such person was driving or was in actual
66physical control of a motor vehicle within this state while
67under the influence of chemical substances or controlled
68substances. The urine test shall be administered at a detention
69facility or any other facility, mobile or otherwise, which is
70equipped to administer such test in a reasonable manner that
71will ensure the accuracy of the specimen and maintain the
72privacy of the individual involved. The administration of a
73urine test does not preclude the administration of another type
74of test. The person shall be told that his or her failure to
75submit to any lawful test of his or her urine will result in the
76suspension of the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle
77for a period of 1 year for the first refusal, or for a period of
7818 months if the driving privilege of such person has been
79previously suspended as a result of a refusal to submit to such
80a test or tests, and shall also be told that if he or she
81refuses to submit to a lawful test of his or her urine and his
82or her driving privilege has been previously suspended for a
83prior refusal to submit to a lawful test of his or her breath,
84urine, or blood, he or she commits a misdemeanor in addition to
85any other penalties. The refusal to submit to a urine test upon
86the request of a law enforcement officer as provided in this
87section is admissible into evidence in any criminal proceeding.
88     2.  The Alcohol Testing Program within the Department of
89Law Enforcement is responsible for the regulation of the
90operation, inspection, and registration of breath test
91instruments utilized under the driving and boating under the
92influence provisions and related provisions located in this
93chapter and chapters 322 and 327. The program is responsible for
94the regulation of the individuals who operate, inspect, and
95instruct on the breath test instruments utilized in the driving
96and boating under the influence provisions and related
97provisions located in this chapter and chapters 322 and 327. The
98program is further responsible for the regulation of blood
99analysts who conduct blood testing to be utilized under the
100driving and boating under the influence provisions and related
101provisions located in this chapter and chapters 322 and 327. The
102program shall:
103     a.  Establish uniform criteria for the issuance of permits
104to breath test operators, agency inspectors, instructors, blood
105analysts, and instruments.
106     b.  Have the authority to permit breath test operators,
107agency inspectors, instructors, blood analysts, and instruments.
108     c.  Have the authority to discipline and suspend, revoke,
109or renew the permits of breath test operators, agency
110inspectors, instructors, blood analysts, and instruments.
111     d.  Establish uniform requirements for instruction and
112curricula for the operation and inspection of approved
113instruments.
114     e.  Have the authority to specify one approved curriculum
115for the operation and inspection of approved instruments.
116     f.  Establish a procedure for the approval of breath test
117operator and agency inspector classes.
118     g.  Have the authority to approve or disapprove breath test
119instruments and accompanying paraphernalia for use pursuant to
120the driving and boating under the influence provisions and
121related provisions located in this chapter and chapters 322 and
122327.
123     h.  With the approval of the executive director of the
124Department of Law Enforcement, make and enter into contracts and
125agreements with other agencies, organizations, associations,
126corporations, individuals, or federal agencies as are necessary,
127expedient, or incidental to the performance of duties.
128     i.  Issue final orders which include findings of fact and
129conclusions of law and which constitute final agency action for
130the purpose of chapter 120.
131     j.  Enforce compliance with the provisions of this section
132through civil or administrative proceedings.
133     k.  Make recommendations concerning any matter within the
134purview of this section, this chapter, chapter 322, or chapter
135327.
136     l.  Promulgate rules for the administration and
137implementation of this section, including definitions of terms.
138     m.  Consult and cooperate with other entities for the
139purpose of implementing the mandates of this section.
140     n.  Have the authority to approve the type of blood test
141utilized under the driving and boating under the influence
142provisions and related provisions located in this chapter and
143chapters 322 and 327.
144     o.  Have the authority to specify techniques and methods
145for breath alcohol testing and blood testing utilized under the
146driving and boating under the influence provisions and related
147provisions located in this chapter and chapters 322 and 327.
148     p.  Have the authority to approve repair facilities for the
149approved breath test instruments, including the authority to set
150criteria for approval.
151
152 Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede
153provisions in this chapter and chapters 322 and 327. The
154specifications in this section are derived from the power and
155authority previously and currently possessed by the Department
156of Law Enforcement and are enumerated to conform with the
157mandates of chapter 99-379, Laws of Florida.
158     (c)  Any person who accepts the privilege extended by the
159laws of this state of operating a motor vehicle within this
160state is, by operating such vehicle, deemed to have given his or
161her consent to submit to an approved blood test for the purpose
162of determining the alcoholic content of the blood or a blood
163test for the purpose of determining the presence of chemical
164substances or controlled substances as provided in this section
165if there is reasonable cause to believe the person was driving
166or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the
167influence of alcoholic beverages or chemical or controlled
168substances and the person appears for treatment at a hospital,
169clinic, or other medical facility and the administration of a
170breath or urine test is impractical or impossible. As used in
171this paragraph, the term "other medical facility" includes an
172ambulance or other medical emergency vehicle. The blood test
173shall be performed in a reasonable manner. Any person who is
174incapable of refusal by reason of unconsciousness or other
175mental or physical condition is deemed not to have withdrawn his
176or her consent to such test. A blood test may be administered
177whether or not the person is told that his or her failure to
178submit to such a blood test will result in the suspension of the
179person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle upon the public
180highways of this state and that a refusal to submit to a lawful
181test of his or her blood, if his or her driving privilege has
182been previously suspended for refusal to submit to a lawful test
183of his or her breath, urine, or blood, is a misdemeanor. Any
184person who is capable of refusal shall be told that his or her
185failure to submit to such a blood test will result in the
186suspension of the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle
187for a period of 1 year for a first refusal, or for a period of
18818 months if the driving privilege of the person has been
189suspended previously as a result of a refusal to submit to such
190a test or tests, and that a refusal to submit to a lawful test
191of his or her blood, if his or her driving privilege has been
192previously suspended for a prior refusal to submit to a lawful
193test of his or her breath, urine, or blood, is a misdemeanor.
194The refusal to submit to a blood test upon the request of a law
195enforcement officer is admissible in evidence in any criminal
196proceeding.
197     (f)1.  The tests determining the weight of alcohol in the
198defendant's blood or breath shall be administered at the request
199of a law enforcement officer substantially in accordance with
200rules of the Department of Law Enforcement. Such rules must
201specify precisely the test or tests that are approved by the
202Department of Law Enforcement for reliability of result and ease
203of administration, and must provide an approved method of
204administration which must be followed in all such tests given
205under this section. However, the failure of a law enforcement
206officer to request the withdrawal of blood does not affect the
207admissibility of a test of blood withdrawn for medical purposes.
208     2.a.  Only a physician, certified paramedic, registered
209nurse, licensed practical nurse, other personnel authorized by a
210hospital to draw blood, or duly licensed clinical laboratory
211director, supervisor, technologist, or technician, acting at the
212request of a law enforcement officer, may withdraw blood for the
213purpose of determining its alcoholic content or the presence of
214chemical substances or controlled substances therein. However,
215the failure of a law enforcement officer to request the
216withdrawal of blood does not affect the admissibility of a test
217of blood withdrawn for medical purposes.
218     b.  Notwithstanding any provision of law pertaining to the
219confidentiality of hospital records or other medical records, if
220a health care provider, who is providing medical care in a
221health care facility to a person injured in a motor vehicle
222crash, becomes aware, as a result of any blood test performed in
223the course of that medical treatment, that the person's blood-
224alcohol level meets or exceeds the blood-alcohol level specified
225in s. 316.193(1)(b), the health care provider may notify any law
226enforcement officer or law enforcement agency. Any such notice
227must be given within a reasonable time after the health care
228provider receives the test result. Any such notice shall be used
229only for the purpose of providing the law enforcement officer
230with reasonable cause to request the withdrawal of a blood
231sample pursuant to this section.
232     c.  The notice shall consist only of the name of the person
233being treated, the name of the person who drew the blood, the
234blood-alcohol level indicated by the test, and the date and time
235of the administration of the test.
236     d.  Nothing contained in s. 395.3025(4), s. 456.057, or any
237applicable practice act affects the authority to provide notice
238under this section, and the health care provider is not
239considered to have breached any duty owed to the person under s.
240395.3025(4), s. 456.057, or any applicable practice act by
241providing notice or failing to provide notice. It shall not be a
242breach of any ethical, moral, or legal duty for a health care
243provider to provide notice or fail to provide notice.
244     e.  A civil, criminal, or administrative action may not be
245brought against any person or health care provider participating
246in good faith in the provision of notice or failure to provide
247notice as provided in this section. Any person or health care
248provider participating in the provision of notice or failure to
249provide notice as provided in this section shall be immune from
250any civil or criminal liability and from any professional
251disciplinary action with respect to the provision of notice or
252failure to provide notice under this section. Any such
253participant has the same immunity with respect to participating
254in any judicial proceedings resulting from the notice or failure
255to provide notice.
256     3.  The person tested may, at his or her own expense, have
257a physician, registered nurse, other personnel authorized by a
258hospital to draw blood, or duly licensed clinical laboratory
259director, supervisor, technologist, or technician, or other
260person of his or her own choosing administer an independent test
261in addition to the test administered at the direction of the law
262enforcement officer for the purpose of determining the amount of
263alcohol in the person's blood or breath or the presence of
264chemical substances or controlled substances at the time
265alleged, as shown by chemical analysis of his or her blood or
266urine, or by chemical or physical test of his or her breath. The
267failure or inability to obtain an independent test by a person
268does not preclude the admissibility in evidence of the test
269taken at the direction of the law enforcement officer. The law
270enforcement officer shall not interfere with the person's
271opportunity to obtain the independent test and shall provide the
272person with timely telephone access to secure the test, but the
273burden is on the person to arrange and secure the test at the
274person's own expense.
275     4.  Upon the request of the person tested, full information
276concerning the results of the test taken at the direction of the
277law enforcement officer shall be made available to the person or
278his or her attorney. Full information is limited to the
279following:
280     a.  The type of test administered and the procedures
281followed.
282     b.  The time of the collection of the blood or breath
283sample analyzed.
284     c.  The numerical results of the test indicating the
285alcohol content of the blood and breath.
286     d.  The type and status of any permit issued by the
287Department of Law Enforcement which was held by the person who
288performed the test.
289     e.  If the test was administered by means of a breath
290testing instrument, the date of performance of the most recent
291required inspection of such instrument.
292
293Full information does not include manuals, schematics, or
294software of the instrument used to test the person or any other
295material that is not in the actual possession of the state.
296Additionally, full information does not include information in
297the possession of the manufacturer of the test instrument.
298     5.  A hospital, clinical laboratory, medical clinic, or
299similar medical institution or physician, certified paramedic,
300registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, other personnel
301authorized by a hospital to draw blood, or duly licensed
302clinical laboratory director, supervisor, technologist, or
303technician, or other person assisting a law enforcement officer
304does not incur any civil or criminal liability as a result of
305the withdrawal or analysis of a blood or urine specimen, or the
306chemical or physical test of a person's breath pursuant to
307accepted medical standards when requested by a law enforcement
308officer, regardless of whether or not the subject resisted
309administration of the test.
310     Section 2.  Paragraphs (a), (c), and (e) of subsection (1)
311of section 327.352, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
312     327.352  Tests for alcohol, chemical substances, or
313controlled substances; implied consent; refusal.--
314     (1)(a)1.  The Legislature declares that the operation of a
315vessel is a privilege that must be exercised in a reasonable
316manner. In order to protect the public health and safety, it is
317essential that a lawful and effective means of reducing the
318incidence of boating while impaired or intoxicated be
319established. Therefore, any person who accepts the privilege
320extended by the laws of this state of operating a vessel within
321this state is, by so operating such vessel, deemed to have given
322his or her consent to submit to an approved chemical test or
323physical test including, but not limited to, an infrared light
324test of his or her breath for the purpose of determining the
325alcoholic content of his or her blood or breath if the person is
326lawfully arrested for any offense allegedly committed while the
327person was operating a vessel while under the influence of
328alcoholic beverages. The chemical or physical breath test must
329be incidental to a lawful arrest and administered at the request
330of a law enforcement officer who has reasonable cause to believe
331such person was operating the vessel within this state while
332under the influence of alcoholic beverages. The administration
333of a breath test does not preclude the administration of another
334type of test. The person shall be told that his or her failure
335to submit to any lawful test of his or her breath will result in
336a civil penalty of $500, and shall also be told that if he or
337she refuses to submit to a lawful test of his or her breath and
338he or she has been previously fined for refusal to submit to any
339lawful test of his or her breath, urine, or blood, he or she
340commits a misdemeanor in addition to any other penalties. The
341refusal to submit to a chemical or physical breath test upon the
342request of a law enforcement officer as provided in this section
343is admissible into evidence in any criminal proceeding.
344     2.  Any person who accepts the privilege extended by the
345laws of this state of operating a vessel within this state is,
346by so operating such vessel, deemed to have given his or her
347consent to submit to a urine test for the purpose of detecting
348the presence of chemical substances as set forth in s. 877.111
349or controlled substances if the person is lawfully arrested for
350any offense allegedly committed while the person was operating a
351vessel while under the influence of chemical substances or
352controlled substances. The urine test must be incidental to a
353lawful arrest and administered at a detention facility or any
354other facility, mobile or otherwise, which is equipped to
355administer such tests at the request of a law enforcement
356officer who has reasonable cause to believe such person was
357operating a vessel within this state while under the influence
358of chemical substances or controlled substances. The urine test
359shall be administered at a detention facility or any other
360facility, mobile or otherwise, which is equipped to administer
361such test in a reasonable manner that will ensure the accuracy
362of the specimen and maintain the privacy of the individual
363involved. The administration of a urine test does not preclude
364the administration of another type of test. The person shall be
365told that his or her failure to submit to any lawful test of his
366or her urine will result in a civil penalty of $500, and shall
367also be told that if he or she refuses to submit to a lawful
368test of his or her urine and he or she has been previously fined
369for refusal to submit to any lawful test of his or her breath,
370urine, or blood, he or she commits a misdemeanor in addition to
371any other penalties. The refusal to submit to a urine test upon
372the request of a law enforcement officer as provided in this
373section is admissible into evidence in any criminal proceeding.
374     (c)  Any person who accepts the privilege extended by the
375laws of this state of operating a vessel within this state is,
376by operating such vessel, deemed to have given his or her
377consent to submit to an approved blood test for the purpose of
378determining the alcoholic content of the blood or a blood test
379for the purpose of determining the presence of chemical
380substances or controlled substances as provided in this section
381if there is reasonable cause to believe the person was operating
382a vessel while under the influence of alcoholic beverages or
383chemical or controlled substances and the person appears for
384treatment at a hospital, clinic, or other medical facility and
385the administration of a breath or urine test is impractical or
386impossible. As used in this paragraph, the term "other medical
387facility" includes an ambulance or other medical emergency
388vehicle. The blood test shall be performed in a reasonable
389manner. Any person who is incapable of refusal by reason of
390unconsciousness or other mental or physical condition is deemed
391not to have withdrawn his or her consent to such test. Any
392person who is capable of refusal shall be told that his or her
393failure to submit to such a blood test will result in a civil
394penalty of $500 and that a refusal to submit to a lawful test of
395his or her blood, if he or she has previously been fined for
396refusal to submit to any lawful test of his or her breath,
397urine, or blood, is a misdemeanor. The refusal to submit to a
398blood test upon the request of a law enforcement officer shall
399be admissible in evidence in any criminal proceeding.
400     (e)1.  The tests determining the weight of alcohol in the
401defendant's blood or breath shall be administered at the request
402of a law enforcement officer substantially in accordance with
403rules of the Department of Law Enforcement. However, the failure
404of a law enforcement officer to request the withdrawal of blood
405does not affect the admissibility of a test of blood withdrawn
406for medical purposes.
407     2.  Only a physician, certified paramedic, registered
408nurse, licensed practical nurse, other personnel authorized by a
409hospital to draw blood, or duly licensed clinical laboratory
410director, supervisor, technologist, or technician, acting at the
411request of a law enforcement officer, may withdraw blood for the
412purpose of determining its alcoholic content or the presence of
413chemical substances or controlled substances therein. However,
414the failure of a law enforcement officer to request the
415withdrawal of blood does not affect the admissibility of a test
416of blood withdrawn for medical purposes.
417     3.  The person tested may, at his or her own expense, have
418a physician, registered nurse, other personnel authorized by a
419hospital to draw blood, or duly licensed clinical laboratory
420director, supervisor, technologist, or technician, or other
421person of his or her own choosing administer an independent test
422in addition to the test administered at the direction of the law
423enforcement officer for the purpose of determining the amount of
424alcohol in the person's blood or breath or the presence of
425chemical substances or controlled substances at the time
426alleged, as shown by chemical analysis of his or her blood or
427urine, or by chemical or physical test of his or her breath. The
428failure or inability to obtain an independent test by a person
429does not preclude the admissibility in evidence of the test
430taken at the direction of the law enforcement officer. The law
431enforcement officer shall not interfere with the person's
432opportunity to obtain the independent test and shall provide the
433person with timely telephone access to secure the test, but the
434burden is on the person to arrange and secure the test at the
435person's own expense.
436     4.  Upon the request of the person tested, full information
437concerning the results of the test taken at the direction of the
438law enforcement officer shall be made available to the person or
439his or her attorney. Full information is limited to the
440following:
441     a.  The type of test administered and the procedures
442followed.
443     b.  The time of the collection of the blood or breath
444sample analyzed.
445     c.  The numerical results of the test indicating the
446alcohol content of the blood and breath.
447     d.  The type and status of any permit issued by the
448Department of Law Enforcement which was held by the person who
449performed the test.
450     e.  If the test was administered by means of a breath
451testing instrument, the date of performance of the most recent
452required inspection of such instrument.
453
454Full information does not include manuals, schematics, or
455software of the instrument used to test the person or any other
456material that is not in the actual possession of the state.
457Additionally, full information does not include information in
458the possession of the manufacturer of the test instrument.
459     5.  A hospital, clinical laboratory, medical clinic, or
460similar medical institution or physician, certified paramedic,
461registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, other personnel
462authorized by a hospital to draw blood, or duly licensed
463clinical laboratory director, supervisor, technologist, or
464technician, or other person assisting a law enforcement officer
465does not incur any civil or criminal liability as a result of
466the withdrawal or analysis of a blood or urine specimen, or the
467chemical or physical test of a person's breath pursuant to
468accepted medical standards when requested by a law enforcement
469officer, regardless of whether or not the subject resisted
470administration of the test.
471     Section 3.  This act shall take effect October 1, 2006.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.