THE BILL ITSELF
HB 1515
Pub. Rec./Uterine Fibroid Research Database
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An act relating to public records; amending s.
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381.9312, F.S.; providing an exemption from public
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records requirements for certain records and personal
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identifying information submitted to the Department of
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Health for inclusion in the uterine fibroid research
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database; providing a statement of public necessity;
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providing an effective date.
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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Section 1. Subsection (4) is added to section 381.9312,
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Florida Statutes, to read:
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381.9312 Uterine fibroid research database; education and
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public awareness.—
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(4) PUBLIC RECORDS EXEMPTION.—All records and personal
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identifying information relating to women diagnosed with or
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treated for uterine fibroids which is submitted to the
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department under this section are confidential and exempt from
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s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
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This subsection is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review
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Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on
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October 2, 2031, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through
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reenactment by the Legislature.
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Section 2. The Legislature finds that it is a public
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necessity to make all records and personal identifying
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information relating to women diagnosed with or treated for
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uterine fibroids which is submitted to the Department of Health
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under s. 381.9312, Florida Statutes, confidential and exempt
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from s. 119.07(1), Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of
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the State Constitution. The Department of Health is unable to
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effectively implement the legislative purpose of the uterine
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fibroid research database, created under s. 381.9312, Florida
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Statutes, without access to these records and information, which
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include personal medical information, the disclosure of which
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would violate federal patient privacy laws, including the Health
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Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Therefore,
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the Legislature finds that it is a public necessity to make such
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records and information held by the department confidential and
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exempt to protect the privacy rights of women diagnosed with and
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treated for uterine fibroids in this state and promote the
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effective administration of the department's epidemiological
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research and tracking activities.
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Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.