The proposed "Helping Abuse Victims Escape Now (HAVEN) Act" establishes the HAVEN Coordinating Council within the Department of Law Enforcement, which will provide administrative support and develop a dynamic website to assist victims of domestic and dating violence. The council will consist of appointed members from law enforcement and victim services, and it is required to hold its first meeting by October 1, 2026. Additionally, the council can create county-level HAVEN councils to review domestic violence cases and contribute to the website's development. The bill also amends existing statutes to include victims of dating violence in various provisions, such as the address confidentiality program, and mandates reporting requirements for both the HAVEN Coordinating Council and county-level councils.

Moreover, the bill enhances protections for victims of stalking and aggravated stalking by exempting their personal information from public records disclosure, similar to existing protections for domestic violence victims. It requires victims to file a sworn statement of stalking with the Office of the Attorney General to qualify for this exemption. The term "Domestic" is removed from the law, broadening protections for all stalking victims. The bill also updates guidelines for the treatment of victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system, ensuring they are informed about available protections against intimidation, and specifically includes victims of domestic and dating violence in the address confidentiality program. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 269 Filed: 741.401, 741.408, 741.465, 741.4651, 960.001