__________________________________ Laws, Regulations, and Ethics for Florida Psychologists, 2nd Edition
(2)
Such privilege must be waived, and the psycholo- gist shall disclose patient or client communications to the extent necessary to communicate the threat to a law enforcement agency, if a patient or client has communicated to the psychologist a specific threat to cause serious bodily injury or death to an identified or readily available person, and the psychologist makes a clinical judgment that the patient or client has the apparent intent and abil- ity to imminently or immediately carry out such threat. A law enforcement agency that receives noti- fication of a specific threat under this subsection must take appropriate action to prevent the risk of harm, including, but not limited to, notifying the intended victim of such threat or initiating a risk protection order. A psychologist’s disclosure of con- fidential communications when communicating a threat pursuant to this subsection may not be the basis of any legal action or criminal or civil liability against the psychologist.
THE 2025 FLORIDA STATUTES: CHAPTER 456 HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS: GENERAL PROVISIONS Full text: https://www.flhouse.gov/Statutes/2025/Chap- ter0456/ This chapter outlines general regulations for professions to protect the public from unregulated practice that could cause harm or endanger the health and safety of the public (Florida Legislature, 2025b). The chapter provides rules for the organi- zation and function of professional boards. It outlines general provisions for the licensing of professionals, use of limited licenses, and continuing education requirements. The use of advertising, general disciplinary guidelines, and impaired practitioner programs are discussed. Of particular interest for psychology, sections 456.057–456.061 provide guidance on the ownership and control of patient records and the nature and scope of confidential communications. THE 2025 FLORIDA STATUTES: CHAPTER 394 MENTAL HEALTH PART I: THE FLORIDA MENTAL HEALTH ACT Full text: https://www.flhouse.gov/Statutes/2025/Chap- ter0394/All/ This chapter is more commonly referred to as the Baker Act (Florida Legislature, 2025a). Its purpose, per section 394.453 1(a), is to “reduce the occurrence, severity, duration, and disabling aspects of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders” through regulation of emergency and temporary detention for evaluation and short-term treatment. It discusses the regulation of voluntary admission, involuntary examinations, admission and discharge procedures, and involuntary inpatient and outpatient treatment. Criteria—A person may be taken to a receiving facil- ity for involuntary examination if there is reason to believe that the person has a mental illness and because of his or her mental illness: (a) 1. The person has refused voluntary exami- 394.463 INVOLUNTARY EXAMINATION (1)
490.0148 PSYCHOLOGIST AND SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST RECORDS
Each psychologist and school psychologist who provides ser- vices as defined in this chapter shall maintain records. The board or, in the case of a school psychologist, the department may adopt rules defining the minimum requirements for such records, including content, length of time such records shall be maintained, and transfer of such records or of a summary of such records, or both, to a subsequent treating practitioner or other individual with the written consent of the client or clients. As used in this section, the term “certified psy- chology specialist,” “board-certified psychology specialist,” or “psychology diplomate” means a psychologist with recognized special competency acquired through an organized sequence of formal education, training, experience, and professional standing that is recognized by a certifying body approved by the board pursuant to criteria adopted under subsection (3). 490.0149 SPECIALTIES (1)
Self-Assessment Question
nation after conscientious explanation and disclosure of the purpose of the examination; or 2. The person is unable to determine for himself or herself whether examination is necessary; and
1. Chapter 490 states that the practice of psychology includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A) biofeedback. B) intelligence. C) medication management. D) hypnosis.
33
EliteLearning.com/Psychology
Powered by FlippingBook