JUDGE CLOSES HEARING ON NOELLE BUSH

ORLANDO (AP)- A judge on Wednesday closed to the public a hearing to
determine whether drug rehabilitation workers where Noelle Bush is
receiving treatment must answer police questions about the governor's daughter.

Police officers received a report last week that Noelle Bush had crack
cocaine in her shoe, but workers at the Center for Drug-Free Living have
refused to cooperate, citing privacy concerns.

The Orange-Osceola State Attorney's Office has subpoenaed the four workers
to compel them to answer questions.

Circuit Judge Belvin Perry on Thursday closed the hearing to reporters,
citing public health laws that protect people in drug and alcohol treatment
programs.

Margaret Kozan, an attorney for The Orlando Sentinel, argued there was a
public interest in the case since it involved Gov. Jeb Bush's daughter.
Assistant State Attorney Jeff Ashton said prosecutors weren't seeking
records but information on what was said between the drug rehab workers and
police.

Carlos Burruezo, attorney for the workers, said opening the hearing would
violate patient confidentiality laws.

Perry said he would make a decision next week.

Police said 0.2 gram of crack cocaine was found in Bush's shoe last week
after they were called to the center by another patient. But Bush was not
arrested because officers could not get sworn statements from staff.

In July, Bush spent about 48 hours in the Orange County Jail after center
staff members caught her with unauthorized prescription drugs.

Since then, Bush had been receiving positive reviews from Circuit Judge
Reginald Whitehead.

Bush moved to the center in February after she was arrested in Tallahassee
on charges of trying to pass a fake prescription for Xanax, an antianxiety
medicine.

If Bush is charged with drug possession, she could be kicked out of her
treatment program and face punishment for charges in Tallahassee and Orlando.