A comprehensive domestic violence reform bill was signed into law Thursday, with her family of a Bradford County mother present for the ceremony at the Florida Capitol.
Rachael Kerr’s family joined lawmakers as Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 277, a measure aimed at strengthening protections for domestic violence survivors and holding repeat offenders more accountable.
Kerr was killed by her estranged husband in January in front of their children, according to authorities. Her death came just eight days after a judge granted him bond. Court records showed he had a history of violating protection orders.
State Rep. Debra Tendrich, a Democrat from Lake Worth and a domestic violence survivor herself, shared Kerr’s story with lawmakers as she pushed for the legislation.
The bill passed unanimously in both the Florida House and Senate before reaching the governor’s desk.
“Rachel’s name is now going to be legacy as to how this bill crossed the finish line, being a part of this bill actually passing into law to protect other women and families from going through what they endured,” Tendrich said.
“And it’s really important for her kids to have been able to be there. It meant so much to know that they were able to share that moment with me because their mom was able to help people even after she was no longer here with us on earth.”
Increases penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders by reclassifying a second or subsequent domestic violence offense to the next degree.
Lowers the threshold for enhanced penalties for injunction violations, allowing a violation to be elevated to a third-degree felony after one prior conviction instead of two.
Requires law enforcement officers who have probable cause to believe a military protective order has been violated to notify the agency that issued the order.
Expands the factors judges may consider when deciding whether to issue a domestic violence injunction, including threats to kill or injure a family pet and the existence of a military protective order.
Increases relocation assistance for domestic violence survivors from $1,500 to $2,500 per claim and raises the lifetime maximum from $3,000 to $5,000.
Requires the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to enter dating violence and sexual violence injunctions into the state’s injunction verification database.
Tendrich said her work is not finished. She plans to spend the summer on a statewide listening tour, meeting with survivors and advocates before proposing additional domestic violence legislation during the next legislative session.
“I’ve been able to go from a suitcase to a state representative,” Tendrich said. “It allows people to know that there is somewhere to go after here. Like, tomorrow is coming and your new beginning is coming. Like, you can do it.”
The new law takes effect July 1, 2026.