Fla. Stat. 790.338
Medical privacy concerning firearms; prohibitions; penalties; exceptions


(1)

A health care practitioner licensed under chapter 456 or a health care facility licensed under chapter 395 may not intentionally enter any disclosed information concerning firearm ownership into the patient’s medical record if the practitioner knows that such information is not relevant to the patient’s medical care or safety, or the safety of others.

(2)

A health care practitioner licensed under chapter 456 or a health care facility licensed under chapter 395 shall respect a patient’s right to privacy and should refrain from making a written inquiry or asking questions concerning the ownership of a firearm or ammunition by the patient or by a family member of the patient, or the presence of a firearm in a private home or other domicile of the patient or a family member of the patient. Notwithstanding this provision, a health care practitioner or health care facility that in good faith believes that this information is relevant to the patient’s medical care or safety, or the safety of others, may make such a verbal or written inquiry.

(3)

Any emergency medical technician or paramedic acting under the supervision of an emergency medical services medical director under chapter 401 may make an inquiry concerning the possession or presence of a firearm if he or she, in good faith, believes that information regarding the possession of a firearm by the patient or the presence of a firearm in the home or domicile of a patient or a patient’s family member is necessary to treat a patient during the course and scope of a medical emergency or that the presence or possession of a firearm would pose an imminent danger or threat to the patient or others.

(4)

A patient may decline to answer or provide any information regarding ownership of a firearm by the patient or a family member of the patient, or the presence of a firearm in the domicile of the patient or a family member of the patient. A patient’s decision not to answer a question relating to the presence or ownership of a firearm does not alter existing law regarding a physician’s authorization to choose his or her patients.

(5)

A health care practitioner licensed under chapter 456 or a health care facility licensed under chapter 395 may not discriminate against a patient based solely upon the patient’s exercise of the constitutional right to own and possess firearms or ammunition.

(6)

A health care practitioner licensed under chapter 456 or a health care facility licensed under chapter 395 shall respect a patient’s legal right to own or possess a firearm and should refrain from unnecessarily harassing a patient about firearm ownership during an examination.

(7)

An insurer issuing any type of insurance policy pursuant to chapter 627 may not deny coverage, increase any premium, or otherwise discriminate against any insured or applicant for insurance on the basis of or upon reliance upon the lawful ownership or possession of a firearm or ammunition or the lawful use or storage of a firearm or ammunition. Nothing herein shall prevent an insurer from considering the fair market value of firearms or ammunition in the setting of premiums for scheduled personal property coverage.

(8)

Violations of the provisions of subsections (1)-(4) constitute grounds for disciplinary action under ss. 456.072(2) and 395.1055.

Source: Section 790.338 — Medical privacy concerning firearms; prohibitions; penalties; exceptions, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0790.­338 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

790.01
Carrying of concealed weapons or concealed firearms
790.001
Definitions
790.02
Officer to arrest without warrant and upon probable cause
790.06
License to carry concealed weapon or concealed firearm
790.07
Persons engaged in criminal offense, having weapons
790.08
Taking possession of weapons and arms
790.09
Manufacturing or selling metallic knuckles
790.10
Improper exhibition of dangerous weapons or firearms
790.013
Carrying of concealed weapons or concealed firearms without a license
790.15
Discharging firearm in public or on residential property
790.015
Nonresidents
790.16
Discharging machine guns
790.17
Furnishing weapons to minors under 18 years of age or persons of unsound mind and furnishing firearms to minors under 18 years of age prohibited
790.18
Sale or transfer of arms to minors by dealers
790.19
Shooting into or throwing deadly missiles into dwellings, public or private buildings, occupied or not occupied
790.22
Use of BB guns, air or gas-operated guns, or electric weapons or devices by minor under 16
790.23
Felons and delinquents
790.24
Report of medical treatment of certain wounds
790.25
Lawful ownership, possession, and use of firearms and other weapons
790.27
Alteration or removal of firearm serial number or possession, sale, or delivery of firearm with serial number altered or removed prohibited
790.29
Paramilitary training
790.31
Armor-piercing or exploding ammunition or dragon’s breath shotgun shells, bolo shells, or flechette shells prohibited
790.33
Field of regulation of firearms and ammunition preempted
790.051
Exemption from licensing requirements
790.052
Carrying concealed firearms
790.053
Open carrying of weapons
790.054
Prohibited use of self-defense weapon or device against law enforcement officer
790.061
Judges and justices
790.062
Members and veterans of United States Armed Forces
790.064
Firearm possession and firearm ownership disability
790.065
Sale and delivery of firearms
790.115
Possessing or discharging weapons or firearms at a school-sponsored event or on school property prohibited
790.151
Using firearm while under the influence of alcoholic beverages, chemical substances, or controlled substances
790.153
Tests for impairment or intoxication
790.155
Blood test for impairment or intoxication in cases of death or serious bodily injury
790.157
Presumption of impairment
790.161
Making, possessing, throwing, projecting, placing, or discharging any destructive device or attempt so to do, felony
790.162
Threat to throw, project, place, or discharge any destructive device, felony
790.163
False report concerning planting a bomb, an explosive, or a weapon of mass destruction, or concerning the use of firearms in a violent manner
790.164
False reports concerning planting a bomb, explosive, or weapon of mass destruction in, or committing arson against, state-owned property, or concerning the use of firearms in a violent manner
790.165
Planting of “hoax bomb” prohibited
790.166
Manufacture, possession, sale, delivery, display, use, or attempted or threatened use of a weapon of mass destruction or hoax weapon of mass destruction prohibited
790.169
Juvenile offenders
790.173
Legislative findings and intent
790.174
Safe storage of firearms required
790.175
Transfer or sale of firearms
790.221
Possession of short-barreled rifle, short-barreled shotgun, or machine gun
790.222
Bump-fire stocks prohibited
790.225
Ballistic self-propelled knives
790.233
Possession of firearm or ammunition prohibited when person is subject to an injunction against committing acts of domestic violence, stalking, or cyberstalking
790.235
Possession of firearm or ammunition by violent career criminal unlawful
790.251
Protection of the right to keep and bear arms in motor vehicles for self-defense and other lawful purposes
790.256
Public service announcements
790.331
Prohibition of civil actions against firearms or ammunition manufacturers, firearms trade associations, firearms or ammunition distributors, or firearms or ammunition dealers
790.333
Sport shooting and training range protection
790.335
Prohibition of registration of firearms
790.336
Lists, records, or registries to be destroyed
790.338
Medical privacy concerning firearms
790.401
Risk protection orders
790.0601
Public records exemption for concealed weapons
790.0625
Appointment of tax collectors to accept applications for a concealed weapon or firearm license
790.0655
Purchase and delivery of firearms
790.1612
Authorization for governmental manufacture, possession, and use of destructive devices
790.1615
Unlawful throwing, projecting, placing, or discharging of destructive device or bomb that results in injury to another

Current through Fall 2025

§ 790.338. Med. privacy concerning firearms; prohibitions; penalties; exceptions's source at flsenate​.gov