Several new Florida laws aimed at strengthening the state\u2019s response to domestic violence and dating violence took effect Wednesday, including tougher penalties for repeat offenders.<\/p>\n
The changes come right after as investigators in Jacksonville responded to a Northside shooting that police say stemmed from a domestic dispute<\/a> and left a 4-year-old girl dead and her 2-year-old sister and their mother in life-threatening condition.<\/p>\n The new laws also arrive months after a high-profile domestic violence case in Bradford County. Deputies said a mother, Rachael Kerr, was killed in an apparent murder-suicide on Jan. 29 after her estranged husband shot her. Investigators said their two children were inside the home at the time.<\/a><\/p>\n Below is a breakdown of what\u2019s changing under the new laws.<\/p>\n Tougher penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders (HB 277)<\/p>\n One of the biggest changes is a new penalty enhancement for people who commit a domestic violence crime and already have a prior domestic violence conviction.<\/p>\n Under HB 277, the penalty level for a new domestic violence offense can be reclassified upward if the person has a prior conviction for domestic violence.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the breakdown in the new law:<\/p>\n A\u00a0second-degree misdemeanor\u00a0can be reclassified to a\u00a0first-degree misdemeanor<\/p>\n A\u00a0first-degree misdemeanor\u00a0can be reclassified to a\u00a0third-degree felony<\/p>\n A\u00a0third-degree felony\u00a0can be reclassified to a\u00a0second-degree felony<\/p>\n A\u00a0second-degree felony\u00a0can be reclassified to a\u00a0first-degree felony<\/p>\n A\u00a0first-degree felony\u00a0can be reclassified to a\u00a0life felony<\/p>\n Electronic monitoring pilot programs for certain domestic violence and injunction cases (HB 277)<\/p>\n HB 277 also creates new electronic monitoring pilot programs that can apply in certain cases involving domestic violence crimes and violations of protective injunctions when a court has issued a no-contact order as a condition of probation.<\/p>\n The law creates:<\/p>\n A\u00a0misdemeanor-level pilot program in Pinellas County\u00a0(July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028)<\/p>\n A\u00a0felony-level pilot program in Florida\u2019s Sixth Judicial Circuit\u00a0(July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028)<\/p>\n In those pilot areas, the law allows a judge to order electronic monitoring as a condition of probation. It also requires monitoring in certain situations if a judge finds clear and convincing evidence the defendant poses a threat of violence or physical harm to the victim.<\/p>\n The law also requires evaluations and reports to the Legislature on how the pilot programs are working.<\/p>\n Expanded address confidentiality protections for dating violence victims (SB 296)<\/p>\n Another new law, SB 296, expands Florida\u2019s Address Confidentiality Program to include victims of dating violence, not just domestic violence.<\/p>\n The Address Confidentiality Program is designed to help victims keep their residential, work or school addresses from being publicly disclosed through records requests.<\/p>\n SB 296 also defines \u201cdating violence\u201d in state law for purposes of the program, describing a range of violent acts or threats committed by someone in a continuing and significant romantic or intimate relationship with the victim.<\/p>\n New 911 alert system feasibility study (SB 296)<\/p>\n SB 296 also directs the state to explore the creation of a web-based 911 alert system for victims of domestic violence and dating violence.<\/p>\n The law says the study should look at whether an alert system could do things like:<\/p>\n Create a\u00a0unique telephone number\u00a0for each user that connects to a public safety answering point (PSAP)<\/p>\n Allow a user to enter a\u00a0code or phrase\u00a0after contacting 911 to indicate they need immediate law enforcement help<\/p>\n Support\u00a0real-time data sharing\u00a0between 911 centers and law enforcement agencies<\/p>\n The Division of Telecommunications within the Department of Management Services must report the results of that study to the Legislature by Jan. 31, 2027, according to the law.<\/p>\n Help is available<\/p>\n If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available 24\/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.<\/p>\n Resources<\/p>\n If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence \u2014 help is available 24\/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.<\/p>\n Additionally, there are a number of resources in the Jacksonville area that provide help for victims of domestic violence.<\/p>\n Hubbard House<\/a><\/p>\n The Hubbard House has a hotline open 24\/7 with operators who will talk confidentially to anyone experiencing domestic violence or questioning aspects of their relationship.<\/p>\n Operators can be contacted at 904-354-3114.<\/p>\n Victim services<\/a><\/p>\n The City of Jacksonville\u2019s Social Services Division provides referral and victim advocacy services to victims of crime. Services are intended to help reduce trauma associated with domestic violence crimes.<\/p>\n Calls made to 904-630-6300 are all confidential.<\/p>\n