FL S0972

Makes personal identifying information in dental workforce surveys confidential and exempt from public records disclosure, except with written consent, court order, or for approved research entities with data-use agreements

Allows disclosure of survey information to research entities approved by the Department of Health if they maintain proper protocols, safeguard records, and prohibit use beyond the approved research purpose

Department of Health may deny research requests if the protocol includes intrusive follow-back contacts, fails to plan record destruction, is administratively burdensome, or lacks scientific merit

Exemption automatically sunsets on October 2, 2015 unless reenacted by the Legislature under the Open Government Sunset Review Act

Takes effect on the same date as Senate Bill 970 or similar legislation, if adopted in the same legislative session