House Bill 547 amends Florida Statutes to introduce a new cause of action for obtaining injunctions for protection against "serious violence by a known person," defined as acts of violence resulting in serious bodily injury between individuals who are acquainted. The bill allows victims or their legal guardians to file verified petitions for injunctions in circuit court, provided they have reported the violence to law enforcement. It also prohibits court clerks from charging fees for filing these petitions and mandates prompt service of injunctions by law enforcement. Additionally, the bill establishes a statewide verification system for tracking domestic violence injunctions and requires timely communication between law enforcement agencies regarding the status of these injunctions.

The legislation further enhances protections for victims by disqualifying individuals with final orders for protection against serious violence from certain rights, including shared parental responsibility. It mandates that records related to domestic violence injunctions be publicly accessible while ensuring the protection of minors. The bill also requires county recorders or clerks to add information about respondents with final judgments for injunctions to searchable databases, along with public notices on how to access this information. Other provisions include the criteria for attorney fees, the recognition of foreign protection orders, and conditions for law enforcement arrests related to injunction violations. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 547 Filed: 784.046, 44.407, 61.13, 394.4597, 741.313, 784.047, 784.048, 934.03