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The Florida Senate

2014 Florida Statutes

Title XLVII CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND CORRECTIONS
Chapter 960 VICTIM ASSISTANCE Entire Chapter
SECTION 199
Relocation assistance for victims of sexual battery or human trafficking.
F.S. 960.199
960.199 Relocation assistance for victims of sexual battery or human trafficking.—
(1) The department may award a one-time payment of up to $1,500 on any one claim and a lifetime maximum of $3,000 to a victim of sexual battery, as defined in s. 794.011, or a victim of human trafficking, as described in s. 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), or (g), who needs relocation assistance.
(2) In order for an award to be granted to a victim for relocation assistance:
(a) There must be proof that a sexual battery offense or human trafficking offense, as described in s. 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), or (g), was committed.
(b) The sexual battery offense or human trafficking offense, as defined in s. 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), or (g), must be reported to the proper authorities.
(c) The victim’s need for assistance must be certified by a certified rape crisis center in this state or by the state attorney or statewide prosecutor having jurisdiction over the offense. A victim of human trafficking’s need for assistance may also be certified by a certified domestic violence center in this state.
(d) The center’s certification must assert that the victim is cooperating with law enforcement officials, if applicable, and must include documentation that the victim has developed a safety plan. If the victim seeking relocation assistance is a victim of a human trafficking offense as described in s. 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), or (g), the certified rape crisis center’s or certified domestic violence center’s certification must include, if applicable, approval of the state attorney or statewide prosecutor attesting that the victim is cooperating with law enforcement officials.
(e) The act of sexual battery or human trafficking, as described in s. 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), or (g), must be committed in the victim’s place of residence or in a location that would lead the victim to reasonably fear for his or her continued safety in the place of residence.
(3) Relocation payments for a sexual battery or human trafficking claim under this section shall be denied if the department has previously approved or paid out a domestic violence relocation claim under s. 960.198 to the same victim regarding the same incident.
History.—s. 5, ch. 2012-155; s. 3, ch. 2014-160.