Opinion ID: 1822772
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Purpose of Section 381.004

Text: Moreover, the Legislature's purpose in enacting section 381.004 does not lend itself to the judicial creation of a private civil remedy. The Florida Legislature was addressing a public health issue when it created the duty of confidentiality for HIV testing. Section 381.004(1) provides: The Legislature finds that the use of tests designed to reveal a condition indicative of human immunodeficiency virus infection can be a valuable tool in protecting public health. The Legislature finds that despite existing laws, regulations, and professional standards which require or promote the informed, voluntary, and confidential use of tests designed to reveal human immunodeficiency virus infections, many members of the public are deterred from seeking such testing because they misunderstand the nature of the test or fear that tests results will be disclosed without their consent. The Legislature finds that the public health will be served by facilitating informed, voluntary, and confidential use of tests designed to detect human immunodeficiency virus infection. The Legislature was looking for ways to encourage HIV testing as a means of protecting public health. The Legislature was not seeking to remedy private harms suffered by specific individuals through the use of monetary damages. From the statement of its purpose in enacting section 381.004, it is clear that the Legislature did not intend to create a private tort remedy, much less that the courts would subsequently create a brand new tort for the negligent disclosure of testing results based on this statute.