House Bill 285 amends Section 784.046 of the Florida Statutes to replace the term "repeat violence" with "repeat or serious violence," which is defined to include two incidents of violence or stalking, one resulting in bodily injury, or a death threat against the petitioner. This change expands the grounds for seeking an injunction for protection, creating a new cause of action for victims of serious violence. The bill also revises the existing cause of action for repeat violence to ensure that victims of both categories have legal recourse. Additionally, it eliminates the requirement for a filing fee and bond for petitioners, making access to protective injunctions more accessible.

The bill further establishes a Domestic, Dating, Sexual, and Repeat or Serious Violence Injunction Statewide Verification System to facilitate the electronic transmission of information regarding injunctions among criminal justice agencies. It mandates that law enforcement officers promptly accept and serve injunctions and outlines a notification process for relevant parties. The bill also includes provisions for law enforcement to assist victims of dating violence, emphasizes documentation of incidents, and sets qualifications for eldercaring coordinators. Moreover, it clarifies the legal framework surrounding the interception of communications in violation of injunctions and outlines criteria for risk protection orders, ultimately aiming to strengthen protections for victims of domestic and serious violence in Florida.

Statutes affected:
H 285 Filed: 784.046, 44.407, 61.1825, 119.0714, 394.4597, 394.4598, 741.313, 784.047, 784.048, 790.065, 934.03, 943.05