HB 1231 — Domestic Violence
by Reps. Melo and others (SB 606 by Senator Bean)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee (CF)
The bill amends current law to recognize that domestic violence is a significant public health threat that has adverse physical, emotional, and financial impact on Florida families. The bill also amends current law to add nonresidential outreach services to the list of minimum services a certified domestic violence center must provide. It clarifies current law to require certified domestic violence centers to obtain public and private funding in an amount of at least 25 percent of the amount of funding the center receives from the Domestic Violence Trust Fund and permits certified domestic violence centers to carry forward, from one fiscal year to the next, unexpended state funds in a cumulative amount not to exceed eight percent of their total contract with the DCF.
The bill amends s. 741.32, F.S., requiring the DCF to certify and monitor Batterers’ Intervention Programs (BIPs) to be used by the justice system. The bill revives, reenacts, and amends s. 741.327, F.S., to authorize the DCF to adopt rules on procedures for the certification and monitoring of BIPs. The bill also amends current law to permit certified BIPs to use a cognitive behavioral model or a psychoeducational model in its program content.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2021.
Vote: Senate 37-0; House 118-0