PROVIDED SUMMARY
Domestic Violence and Protective Injunctions; Providing enhanced penalties for committing a domestic violence offense if a person has a prior conviction for domestic violence; authorizing, and in certain circumstances requiring, a court to order electronic monitoring in domestic violence cases; revising the information contained in a petition for injunction for protection against domestic violence; increasing the maximum payment amounts for relocation assistance for victims of domestic violence, etc.
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Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATED
Mandates electronic monitoring and enhanced penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders.
Courts must order electronic monitoring for domestic violence defendants who previously violated a protective injunction or pose a clear threat of violence to the victim.
Repeat domestic violence offenders face enhanced penalties, with a first-degree felony now punishable as a life felony if the defendant has a prior domestic violence conviction.
Victims of domestic violence can receive up to $2,500 for immediate relocation assistance, raising the previous one-time payment limit from $1,500.
Courts must order batterers' intervention programs for domestic violence convictions, unless the court makes written findings that the program is inappropriate.
KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1
Mandatory electronic monitoring for repeat domestic violence offenders
majors. 741.281(2)(b)
AICourts must order electronic monitoring if a defendant has a prior conviction for violating a domestic violence injunction or if the court finds clear and convincing evidence the defendant poses a threat of violence to the victim.
“Must order the person to have electronic monitoring supervision as a condition of his or her probation if: 1. The court finds there is clear and convincing evidence that the”
bill text, line 132 →
§ 2
Enhanced penalties for repeat domestic violence offenses
majors. 741.2801(2)
AIA person with a prior domestic violence conviction faces a higher statutory maximum penalty for a second or subsequent domestic violence offense, with each enhancement step increasing the offense degree by one level.
“If a person has a prior conviction for a crime of domestic violence, upon a finding by the factfinder that the defendant committed a second or subsequent offense of domestic”
bill text, line 80 →
§ 3
Increased relocation assistance for domestic violence victims
moderates. 960.198(1)
AIThe maximum one-time payment for immediate relocation assistance to escape a domestic violence environment increases from $1,500 to $2,500, and the lifetime maximum increases from $3,000 to $5,000.
“the department may award a one-time payment of up to $2,500 on any one claim and a lifetime maximum of $5,000 to a victim of domestic violence who needs immediate”
bill text, line 389 →
§ 4
Expanded factors for domestic violence injunctions
moderates. 741.30(3)(b)
AICourts must now consider threats to injure or kill a family pet, including service and emotional support animals, and the existence of a military protective order when deciding whether to issue a domestic violence injunction.
“intentionally injured or killed or threatened to injure or kill a family pet, including a service animal as defined in s. 413.08(1), Florida Statutes, or an emotional support”
bill text, line 217 →
§ 5
Mandatory batterers' intervention program for injunction violations
moderates. 741.31(5)(a)
AICourts must order a respondent who willfully violates a domestic violence injunction to attend a batterers' intervention program, unless the court makes written factual findings based on substantial evidence that the program would be inappropriate.
“Shall order the respondent to attend a batterers' intervention program if it finds a willful violation of a domestic violence injunction, unless the court makes written factual”
bill text, line 345 →
TIMELINE
3/9/2026
Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 277 (Ch....
3/9/2026
Substituted CS/CS/HB 277 -SJ 689
3/9/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 689
3/4/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/09/26
3/3/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/2/2026
Favorable by- Fiscal Policy; YEAS 18 NAYS 0
2/25/2026
On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 03/02/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
2/24/2026
CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice...
2/23/2026
Now in Fiscal Policy
2/20/2026
Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
2/18/2026
CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice;...
2/13/2026
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Criminal and...
1/29/2026
CS by Criminal Justice read 1st time
1/22/2026
Now in Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
1/22/2026
Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
1/20/2026
CS by Criminal Justice; YEAS 8 NAYS 0
1/15/2026
On Committee agenda-- Criminal Justice, 01/20/26, 3:30 pm, 37...
12/16/2025
Referred to Criminal Justice; Appropriations Committee on Criminal...
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