FL H0447

All hearings relating to mental health (Chapter 394) and substance abuse (Chapter 397) are made confidential and closed to the public, unless the respondent consents or a judge finds good cause to open them

Respondent's name at hearings and on appeal, plus all petitions, applications, court orders, and related records for voluntary/involuntary mental health examination, treatment, or substance abuse assessment are exempt from public records requirements

Clerk of court prohibited from publishing personal identifying information on court dockets or publicly accessible files, though courts may use respondent's name for scheduling, case adjudication, and transmitting orders to parties or service providers

Confidential records may be disclosed to specified parties including the petitioner, respondent, their attorneys, guardians, treating health care practitioners, service providers, and the Department of Children and Families or Department of Corrections without charge

Public records exemption subject to Open Government Sunset Review Act and will be repealed October 2, 2031, unless reenacted by the Legislature; effective date July 1, 2026