(1) When a licensed psychologist terminates practice or relocates practice and is no longer available to service users in the practice area, the licensed psychologist shall provide notice of such termination or relocation of practice. The licensed psychologist shall cause such notice to be published in the newspaper of greatest circulation in the county from which the licensed psychologist is relocating or, in the case of termination of practice, in each county where the licensed psychologist has practiced. Such notice shall be published weekly for four (4) consecutive weeks. The notice shall contain the date of termination or relocation of practice and an address at which the psychological records of the service users may be obtained by them, their legal representatives, or licensed mental health professionals designated by service users in writing, to receive the service user’s records.
    (2) The executor, administrator, personal representative or survivor of a deceased licensed psychologist shall ensure the retention of psychological records in existence upon the death of the psychologist for a period of at least two (2) years and two (2) months from the date of the licensed psychologist’s death. Within 1 month of the licensed psychologist’s death, the executor, administrator, personal representative or survivor of the deceased licensed psychologist shall cause notice to be published in the newspaper of greatest general circulation in each county where the licensed psychologist practiced. Such notice shall be published weekly for four (4) consecutive weeks and shall advise of the licensed psychologist’s death. Such notice shall also state the address from which service users, their legal representative, or licensed mental health professionals designated by the service user in writing, may obtain the service user’s psychological records. A copy of such notice shall be mailed to the administrative office of the Board of Psychology. At the conclusion of 24 months from the date of the licensed psychologist’s death, the executor, administrator, personal representative or survivor shall cause a notice to be published in the newspaper of greatest circulation in each county where the deceased psychologist practiced. Such notice shall advise that the psychological records still in the possession or under the control of the executor, administrator, personal representative or survivor will be destroyed on a date specified which may not be any sooner than 1 month from the last day of the last week of the publication of the notice. Such notice shall also be published once a week for four (4) consecutive weeks. Thereafter, on the date specified in the notice, the executor, administrator, personal representative or survivor shall destroy unclaimed psychological records.
Rulemaking Authority 456.058, 490.004(4) FS. Law Implemented Florida Statutes § 456.058. History-New 8-12-90, Formerly 21U-22.004, Amended 6-14-94, Formerly 61F13-22.004, 59AA-19.004, Amended 9-18-97.