FL S0256

Creates section 916.1065 of Florida Statutes to establish that forensic behavioral health evaluations filed with courts are confidential and exempt from public records disclosure under Florida Statutes s. 119.07(1) and the Florida Constitution Article I, section 24(a).

Defines "forensic behavioral health evaluation" to include any records and supporting documentation from competency, substance abuse, psychosexual, psychological, psychiatric, psychosocial, cognitive impairment, sanity, or other mental health evaluations of an individual.

Applies the confidentiality exemption retroactively to forensic behavioral health evaluations filed with courts before, on, or after July 1, 2014.

Establishes public necessity findings that protecting these evaluations is necessary to safeguard health care privacy rights, prevent reputational harm, and encourage candor from mental health experts conducting court-ordered evaluations.

Takes effect July 1, 2014.