Bill > S0296

This bill expands protections and resources for victims of dating violence by first requiring the Division of Telecommunications within the Department of Management Services to study the feasibility of a web-based 911 alert system that allows for real-time data sharing between emergency call centers (Public Safety Answering Points or PSAPs) and law enforcement, and can connect users to a PSAP via a unique phone number and a secret code or phrase to signal a need for immediate assistance, with the division to report its findings by January 31, 2027. The bill also amends existing Florida Statutes to include victims of dating violence alongside victims of domestic violence in legislative findings, thereby clarifying that the purpose of address confidentiality programs is to protect individuals escaping abuse from being found by their assailants. Furthermore, it formally defines "dating violence" as a range of abusive acts or threats committed by someone with whom the victim has or had a romantic or intimate relationship, and allows victims of dating violence to apply for the Attorney General's address confidentiality program, which provides a substitute mailing address to protect their location, with the Attorney General required to designate agencies to assist these applicants. Finally, the bill makes conforming changes to statutes related to public records exemptions for victims of stalking and guidelines for the fair treatment of victims in the criminal justice system to include dating violence.

Budget and Finance

Criminal Justice (Senate)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/296