House Bill 277, known as the "Domestic Emergency and Batterers Reform and Accountability Act," seeks to improve the response to domestic violence in Florida by implementing a comprehensive system for addressing such incidents. The bill mandates the creation of a system to flag addresses linked to 911 calls for domestic or dating violence, which must be integrated by counties based on their resources. It also introduces new training requirements for emergency responders, including emergency medical technicians and firefighters, focusing on domestic violence and related issues. Additionally, the bill revises the definition of "domestic violence" to encompass a wider range of offenses and establishes a domestic violence diversion program for first-time offenders, requiring them to admit guilt and participate in treatment.

The bill further enhances law enforcement's role in domestic violence cases by requiring officers to provide victims with critical information, conduct lethality assessments, and wear body cameras during investigations. It amends existing statutes to streamline legal language and improve the handling of protective injunctions, including increased penalties for violations and the introduction of electronic monitoring for offenders. The bill also raises the maximum financial assistance available to victims and clarifies definitions related to household members and criminal history records. Overall, HB 277 aims to strengthen protections for victims, improve accountability for offenders, and enhance the overall legal framework surrounding domestic violence in Florida.

Statutes affected:
H 277 Filed: 365.171, 741.281, 741.283, 784.047, 960.198, 921.0024, 943.0584, 943.171