FL S0876

All hearings related to mental health examination/treatment and substance abuse treatment/assessment become confidential and closed to the public, unless the respondent consents or a judge finds good cause to open them

Expands public records exemptions to include voluntary applications and petitions for mental health or substance abuse treatment, along with the respondent's name at trial and on appeal

Authorizes courts to use respondent's name for scheduling and adjudicating cases, including transmitting court orders to parties or service providers, while still prohibiting publication in public dockets

Extends disclosure authorization to include service providers alongside treating health care practitioners for accessing confidential records

Exemptions apply retroactively to documents filed before July 1, 2019 (mental health) and July 1, 2017 (substance abuse), plus appeals pending or filed on/after July 1, 2026, with a sunset repeal date of October 2, 2031