This bill amends Section 784.046 of the Florida Statutes to broaden the legal framework for obtaining injunctions for protection in cases of violence by replacing the term "repeat violence" with "repeat or serious violence." It defines "repeat or serious violence" to encompass two incidents of violence or stalking within six months, one act causing bodily injury, or a death threat against the petitioner. The bill creates a specific cause of action for injunctions related to repeat or serious violence, in addition to existing provisions for dating and sexual violence. It also revises the language throughout the statute to reflect these changes and outlines procedures for filing petitions, including court assistance for unrepresented petitioners and the prohibition of filing fees.

Additionally, the bill establishes a Domestic, Dating, Sexual, and Repeat or Serious Violence Injunction Statewide Verification System to enhance communication and enforcement of injunctions among criminal justice agencies. Key provisions include the requirement for court clerks to electronically transmit copies of injunctions to the sheriff within 24 hours and for law enforcement to notify the sheriff of service of these injunctions. The bill also introduces amendments regarding eldercaring coordinators' qualifications, confidentiality provisions for petitions, and the ineligibility of individuals under injunctions for domestic violence to serve as a patient's representative in involuntary treatment scenarios. Overall, the bill aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the legal framework surrounding domestic violence injunctions and related services.

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