PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Domestic violence legislation passed this year by the state legislature would make major changes to domestic violence laws.
Lawmakers passed CS 277 earlier this year, and the bill currently awaits approval from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
What You Need To Know
Florida’s House and Senate unanimously passed new domestic violence legislation
Changes include harsher penalties, more money for victims to relocate and more
Survivor and author Michelle Jewsbury is happy to see Florida take this action
Some of the notable differences include harsher penalties for repeat domestic violence abusers and more money available for victims who need to relocate to escape abuse.
Additionally, the bill would give judges more factors to consider in considering domestic violence injunctions. It would also require police to enter such injunctions into a statewide database that other agencies could search.
Survivor and author Michelle Jewsbury said this is a big step forward.
“I think that in every state, they’re starting to understand how bad domestic violence is,” Jewsbury said.
Jewsbury has written multiple books documenting both her situation and those of other survivors.
She said what she went through is more common than people realize. That’s why she’s happy to see the Florida legislature vote to make changes.
“There are so many individuals who are hurting, who have gone through injustice and domestic violence,” she said. “And if we continue to stay silent, then they’re going to continue to endure that pain.”
Florida State Representative Lindsay Cross said this legislation is something she is proud to support.
“We care about people’s safety, and we’re taking steps to reduce domestic violence,” she said. “We want to make sure that no one has to suffer from this.”