FL H0485

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

Allows disclosure of survey information only with written consent of the individual, by court order upon good cause, or to approved research entities under a data-use agreement with restrictions on identification and use.

Specifies that research entities seeking survey data must have an approved protocol, maintain confidentiality, and prohibits protocols with intrusive follow-up contacts or those lacking scientific merit.

Subjects the exemption to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and requires legislative reenactment by October 2, 2016 to prevent automatic repeal.

Takes effect contingent upon House Bill 483 or similar legislation taking effect and becoming law in the same legislative session.