The bill amends Section 784.046 of the Florida Statutes to broaden the definition of violence by replacing "repeat violence" with "repeat or serious violence." This change establishes a cause of action for injunctions for protection against both repeat and serious violence, alongside existing protections for dating and sexual violence. The bill outlines specific criteria for what constitutes repeat or serious violence, including incidents of bodily injury, stalking, and death threats. It also clarifies the standing of victims and their guardians to file petitions for protection, while ensuring that no fees are assessed for filing such petitions and that courts provide necessary assistance to unrepresented petitioners.

Additionally, the bill creates a Domestic, Dating, Sexual, and Repeat or Serious Violence Injunction Statewide Verification System to improve communication and enforcement of injunctions among criminal justice agencies. It mandates that court clerks electronically transmit injunctions to the sheriff within 24 hours and allows petitioners to receive automated notifications regarding their injunctions. The bill also includes provisions to protect the confidentiality of petitions and related documents, prohibits individuals with prior injunctions from serving as eldercaring coordinators, and emphasizes the importance of victim safety in bail determinations for defendants charged with domestic violence. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the legal framework for protecting victims of violence and improving the efficiency of related legal processes.

Statutes affected:
S 308 Filed: 784.046, 44.407, 61.1825, 119.0714, 394.4597, 394.4598, 741.2901, 741.313, 784.047, 784.048, 790.065, 934.03, 943.05