FL H0539

Exempts personal identifying information from dental workforce surveys submitted by dentists and dental hygienists to the Department of Health from public records disclosure requirements.

Allows disclosure of exempted information only with written consent of the individual, by court order showing good cause, or to approved research entities under a data-use agreement.

Permits the Department of Health to deny research requests if protocols involve intrusive follow-up contacts, lack plans for destroying confidential records, are administratively burdensome, or lack scientific merit.

Establishes a public necessity finding that confidentiality of survey responses is needed to ensure candid responses and timely information for workforce planning purposes.

Repeals automatically on October 2, 2015 unless the Legislature reenacts it, subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act.