The proposed bill, titled the "Survivor Safety Act," aims to enhance legal protections for victims of domestic violence and related crimes. It amends Section 776.012 of the Florida Statutes to establish a rebuttable presumption that individuals who use force against a known abuser do so out of a reasonable fear of imminent peril. This presumption applies if the individual can demonstrate a documented history of abuse, and it shifts the burden of proof to the prosecution to disprove the presumption. The bill also specifies the admissibility of evidence related to the documented history of violence in self-defense claims and mandates that courts instruct juries on this presumption.

Additionally, the bill creates new sections in the Florida Statutes, including Section 943.1721, which requires the Department of Law Enforcement to develop a trauma-informed training program for law enforcement, state attorneys, and judges involved in domestic violence cases. It also establishes a Survivor Self-Defense Case Review Panel under Section 947.271 to evaluate convictions where domestic violence may have impacted self-defense claims, allowing for potential remedies such as sentence reductions or post-conviction relief. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 1127 Filed: 776.012