House passes public records exemption to protect veterans, mentally ill patients in specialized court
Congressman Pat Manny
Congress is one step closer to approving a public records exemption that protects veterans and mentally ill patients receiving treatment in Florida's specialized courts.
The House on Thursday approved HB 715 by Republican Rep. Pat Money, a former Shalimar judge and retired Army brigadier general, 117-0 without debate or debate.
Mayney told House members that the measure would give mental health and veterans court participants the same privacy protections as other specialty courts.
“This bill simply expands and harmonizes public records exemptions for various specialty courts, drug courts, veterans courts, and mental health courts,” Mainey said.
More specifically, the bill would cut off public intake screenings, drug screenings, behavioral health evaluations, and “subsequent treatment and status reporting.”
Senator Darryl Rouson
Democratic Rep. Darryl Rouson, a St. Petersburg attorney, is sponsoring its companion, SB 910. Throughout his years in Congress, Lewson has been an advocate for issues related to drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. Both bills passed the committee without a vote.
SB 910 was on the Senate calendar Thursday. The Senate could send the bill to Gov. Ron DeSantis as soon as Friday.
