Senate Bill sb0316c2

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    Florida Senate - 2002                     CS for CS for SB 316

    By the Committees on Finance and Taxation; Children and
    Families; and Senator Saunders




    314-1874-02

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to domestic violence; amending

  3         ss. 25.385, 39.902, 741.28, 943.171, F.S.;

  4         redefining the terms "domestic violence" and

  5         "family or household member"; defining the term

  6         "dating relationship"; amending s. 28.101,

  7         F.S.; increasing an additional charge for a

  8         dissolution of marriage petition; amending ss.

  9         390.01115, 470.002, 626.9541, 641.3903,

10         985.213, 985.215, F.S.; conforming

11         cross-references; amending s. 741.281, F.S.;

12         eliminating the requirement that a court order

13         certain defendants to attend a batterers'

14         intervention program; amending s. 741.30, F.S.;

15         specifying when a person has standing to file a

16         petition for an injunction against domestic

17         violence; specifying where the petition may be

18         filed; prohibiting a filing fee for such

19         petition; providing for reimbursement to the

20         clerks of the circuit courts, subject to

21         legislative appropriation; providing for

22         incidents that describe violence or threats of

23         violence; specifying when a court may grant

24         relief; prescribing factors for the court to

25         consider in determining imminent danger;

26         providing for recording of proceedings;

27         providing for the presence of an advocate from

28         a state attorney's office, law enforcement

29         agency, or domestic violence center at

30         injunction proceedings, upon request; amending

31         s. 741.31, F.S.; specifying additional acts

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  1         that violate an injunction against domestic

  2         violence; providing a penalty; providing an

  3         effective date.

  4

  5  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

  6

  7         Section 1.  Subsection (2) of section 25.385, Florida

  8  Statutes, is amended to read:

  9         25.385  Standards for instruction of circuit and county

10  court judges in handling domestic violence cases.--

11         (2)  As used in this section:

12         (a)  The term "domestic violence" has the meaning set

13  forth in s. 741.28 means any assault, battery, sexual assault,

14  sexual battery, or any criminal offense resulting in physical

15  injury or death of one family or household member by another,

16  who is or was residing in the same single dwelling unit.

17         (b)  The term "family or household member" has the

18  meaning set forth in s. 741.28 means spouse, former spouse,

19  persons related by blood or marriage, persons who are

20  presently residing together, as if a family, or who have

21  resided together in the past, as if a family, and persons who

22  have a child in common regardless of whether they have been

23  married or have resided together at any time.

24         Section 2.  Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section

25  28.101, Florida Statutes, as amended by section 4 of chapter

26  2001-122, Laws of Florida, is amended to read:

27         28.101  Petitions and records of dissolution of

28  marriage; additional charges.--

29         (1)  When a party petitions for a dissolution of

30  marriage, in addition to the filing charges in s. 28.241, the

31  clerk shall collect and receive:

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  1         (c)  A charge of $36 $18. On a monthly basis, the clerk

  2  shall transfer the moneys collected pursuant to this paragraph

  3  to the Department of Revenue for deposit in the Domestic

  4  Violence Trust Fund. Such funds which are generated shall be

  5  directed to the Department of Children and Family Services for

  6  the specific purpose of funding domestic violence centers.

  7         Section 3.  Subsections (1) and (3) of section 39.902,

  8  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

  9         39.902  Definitions.--As used in this part, the term:

10         (1)  "Domestic violence" has the meaning set forth in

11  s. 741.28 means any assault, battery, sexual assault, sexual

12  battery, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury

13  or death of one family or household member by another who is

14  or was residing in the same single dwelling unit.

15         (3)  "Family or household member" has the meaning set

16  forth in s. 741.28 means spouses, former spouses, adults

17  related by blood or marriage, persons who are presently

18  residing together as if a family or who have resided together

19  in the past as if a family, and persons who have a child in

20  common regardless of whether they have been married or have

21  resided together at any time.

22         Section 4.  Paragraphs (b) and (e) of subsection (2) of

23  section 390.01115, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

24         390.01115  Parental Notice of Abortion Act.--

25         (2)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term:

26         (b)  "Child abuse" has the meaning ascribed in s.

27  39.0015(3) and refers to the acts of child abuse against a

28  minor by a family member as defined in s. 741.28(4)(2).

29         (e)  "Sexual abuse" has the meaning ascribed in s.

30  39.01 and refers to the acts of sexual abuse against a minor

31  by a family member as defined in s. 741.28(4)(2).

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  1         Section 5.  Subsection (18) of section 470.002, Florida

  2  Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         470.002  Definitions.--As used in this chapter:

  4         (18)  "Legally authorized person" means, in the

  5  priority listed, the decedent, when written inter vivos

  6  authorizations and directions are provided by the decedent,

  7  the surviving spouse, unless the spouse has been arrested for

  8  committing against the deceased an act of domestic violence as

  9  defined in s. 741.28(1), a son or daughter who is 18 years of

10  age or older, a parent, a brother or sister 18 years of age or

11  over, a grandchild who is 18 years of age or older, or a

12  grandparent; or any person in the next degree of kinship. In

13  addition, the term may include, if no family exists or is

14  available, the following: the guardian of the dead person at

15  the time of death; the personal representative of the

16  deceased; the attorney in fact of the dead person at the time

17  of death; the health surrogate of the dead person at the time

18  of death; a public health officer; the medical examiner,

19  county commission or administrator acting under chapter 245,

20  or other public administrator; a representative of a nursing

21  home or other health care institution in charge of final

22  disposition; or a friend or other person not listed in this

23  subsection who is willing to assume the responsibility as

24  authorized person.

25         Section 6.  Paragraph (g) of subsection (1) of section

26  626.9541, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

27         626.9541  Unfair methods of competition and unfair or

28  deceptive acts or practices defined.--

29         (1)  UNFAIR METHODS OF COMPETITION AND UNFAIR OR

30  DECEPTIVE ACTS.--The following are defined as unfair methods

31  of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices:

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  1         (g)  Unfair discrimination.--

  2         1.  Knowingly making or permitting any unfair

  3  discrimination between individuals of the same actuarially

  4  supportable class and equal expectation of life, in the rates

  5  charged for any life insurance or annuity contract, in the

  6  dividends or other benefits payable thereon, or in any other

  7  of the terms and conditions of such contract.

  8         2.  Knowingly making or permitting any unfair

  9  discrimination between individuals of the same actuarially

10  supportable class and essentially the same hazard, in the

11  amount of premium, policy fees, or rates charged for any

12  policy or contract of accident, disability, or health

13  insurance, in the benefits payable thereunder, in any of the

14  terms or conditions of such contract, or in any other manner

15  whatever.

16         3.  For a health insurer, life insurer, disability

17  insurer, property and casualty insurer, automobile insurer, or

18  managed care provider to underwrite a policy, or refuse to

19  issue, reissue, or renew a policy, refuse to pay a claim,

20  cancel or otherwise terminate a policy, or increase rates

21  based upon the fact that an insured or applicant who is also

22  the proposed insured has made a claim or sought or should have

23  sought medical or psychological treatment in the past for

24  abuse, protection from abuse, or shelter from abuse, or that a

25  claim was caused in the past by, or might occur as a result

26  of, any future assault, battery, or sexual assault by a family

27  or household member upon another family or household member as

28  defined in s. 741.28(2). A health insurer, life insurer,

29  disability insurer, or managed care provider may refuse to

30  underwrite, issue, or renew a policy based on the applicant's

31  medical condition, but shall not consider whether such

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  1  condition was caused by an act of abuse.  For purposes of this

  2  section, the term "abuse" means the occurrence of one or more

  3  of the following acts:

  4         a.  Attempting or committing assault, battery, sexual

  5  assault, or sexual battery;

  6         b.  Placing another in fear of imminent serious bodily

  7  injury by physical menace;

  8         c.  False imprisonment;

  9         d.  Physically or sexually abusing a minor child; or

10         e.  An act of domestic violence as defined in s.

11  741.28.

12

13  This subparagraph does not prohibit a property and casualty

14  insurer or an automobile insurer from excluding coverage for

15  intentional acts by the insured if such exclusion does not

16  constitute an act of unfair discrimination as defined in this

17  paragraph.

18         Section 7.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (12) of section

19  641.3903, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

20         641.3903  Unfair methods of competition and unfair or

21  deceptive acts or practices defined.--The following are

22  defined as unfair methods of competition and unfair or

23  deceptive acts or practices:

24         (12)  PROHIBITED DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES.--A health

25  maintenance organization may not:

26         (b)  Refuse to provide services or care to a subscriber

27  solely because medical services may be or have been sought for

28  injuries resulting from an assault, battery, sexual assault,

29  sexual battery, or any other offense by a family or household

30  member, as defined in s. 741.28(2), or by another who is or

31  was residing in the same dwelling unit.

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  1         Section 8.  Section 741.28, Florida Statutes, is

  2  amended to read:

  3         741.28  Domestic violence; definitions.--As used in ss.

  4  741.28-741.31, the term:

  5         (1)  "Dating relationship" means a relationship between

  6  individuals who have or have had a continuing relationship of

  7  a romantic or intimate nature. The existence of such a

  8  relationship shall be determined based on the consideration of

  9  the length the relationship, the nature of the relationship,

10  and the frequency and type of interaction between the persons

11  involved in the relationship. However, the term does not

12  include a casual acquaintanceship or ordinary fraternization

13  between persons in a business or social context.

14         (2)(3)  "Department" means the Florida Department of

15  Law Enforcement.

16         (3)(1)  "Domestic violence" means any assault,

17  aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual

18  assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking,

19  kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense

20  resulting in physical injury or death of one family or

21  household member by another who is or was residing in the same

22  single dwelling unit.

23         (4)(2)  "Family or household member" means spouses,

24  former spouses, persons who have or have had a dating

25  relationship, persons related by blood or marriage, persons

26  who are presently residing together as if a family or who have

27  resided together in the past as if a family, and persons who

28  are parents of have a child in common regardless of whether

29  they have been married or have resided together at any time.

30  With the exception of persons who are parents of a child in

31  common, or who have or have had a dating relationship, the

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  1  family or household members must be currently residing or have

  2  in the past resided together in the same single dwelling unit.

  3         (5)(4)  "Law enforcement officer" means any person who

  4  is elected, appointed, or employed by any municipality or the

  5  state or any political subdivision thereof who meets the

  6  minimum qualifications established in s. 943.13 and is

  7  certified as a law enforcement officer under s. 943.1395.

  8         Section 9.  Section 741.281, Florida Statutes, is

  9  amended to read:

10         741.281  Court to order batterers' intervention program

11  attendance.--If a person is found guilty of, has had

12  adjudication withheld on, or has pled nolo contendere to a

13  crime of domestic violence, as defined in s. 741.28, that

14  person shall be ordered by the court to a minimum term of 1

15  year's probation and the court shall order that the defendant

16  attend a batterers' intervention program as a condition of

17  probation.  If a person is admitted to a pretrial diversion

18  program and has been charged with an act of domestic violence,

19  as defined in s. 741.28, the court shall order as a condition

20  of the program that the defendant attend a batterers'

21  intervention program. The court must impose the condition of

22  the batterers' intervention program for a defendant admitted

23  to pretrial diversion under this section, but the court, in

24  its discretion, may determine not to impose the condition if

25  it states on the record why a batterers' intervention program

26  might be inappropriate.  The court must impose the condition

27  of the batterers' intervention program for a defendant placed

28  on probation unless the court determines that the person does

29  not qualify for the batterers' intervention program pursuant

30  to s. 741.325. Effective July 1, 2002, the batterers'

31  intervention program must be a certified program under s.

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  1  741.32. The imposition of probation under this section shall

  2  not preclude the court from imposing any sentence of

  3  imprisonment authorized by s. 775.082.

  4         Section 10.  Subsection (1), paragraph (a) of

  5  subsection (2), and subsections (3) and (6) of section 741.30,

  6  Florida Statutes, are amended, present subsections (7), (8),

  7  and (9) are renumbered as subsections (8), (9) and (10),

  8  respectively, and a new subsection (7) is added to that

  9  section, to read:

10         741.30  Domestic violence; injunction; powers and

11  duties of court and clerk; petition; notice and hearing;

12  temporary injunction; issuance of injunction; statewide

13  verification system; enforcement.--

14         (1)  There is created a cause of action for an

15  injunction for protection against domestic violence.

16         (a)  Any person described in paragraph (e), who is

17  either the victim of any act of domestic violence as defined

18  in s. 741.28, or has reasonable cause to believe he or she is

19  in imminent danger of becoming the victim of any act of

20  domestic violence, has standing in the circuit court to file a

21  sworn petition for an injunction for protection against

22  domestic violence.

23         (b)  This cause of action for an injunction may be

24  sought whether or not any other cause of action is currently

25  pending between the parties. However, the pendency of any such

26  cause of action shall be alleged in the petition.

27         (c)  In the event a subsequent cause of action is filed

28  under chapter 61, any orders entered therein shall take

29  precedence over any inconsistent provisions of an injunction

30  issued under this section which addresses matters governed by

31  chapter 61.

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  1         (d)  A person's right to petition for an injunction

  2  shall not be affected by such person having left a residence

  3  or household to avoid domestic violence.

  4         (e)  This cause of action for an injunction may be

  5  sought by family or household members. No person shall be

  6  precluded from seeking injunctive relief pursuant to this

  7  chapter solely on the basis that such person is not a spouse.

  8         (f)  This cause of action for an injunction shall not

  9  require that either party be represented by an attorney.

10         (g)  Any person, including an officer of the court, who

11  offers evidence or recommendations relating to the cause of

12  action must either present the evidence or recommendations in

13  writing to the court with copies to each party and their

14  attorney, or must present the evidence under oath at a hearing

15  at which all parties are present.

16         (h)  Nothing in this section shall affect the title to

17  any real estate.

18         (i)  The court is prohibited from issuing mutual orders

19  of protection. This does not preclude the court from issuing

20  separate injunctions for protection against domestic violence

21  where each party has complied with the provisions of this

22  section. Compliance with the provisions of this section cannot

23  be waived.

24         (j)  Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 47, a

25  petition for an injunction for protection against domestic

26  violence may be filed in the circuit where the petitioner

27  currently or temporarily resides, where the respondent

28  resides, or where the domestic violence occurred. There is no

29  minimum requirement of residency to petition for an injunction

30  for protection.

31

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  1         (2)(a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the

  2  assessment of a filing fee for a petition for protection

  3  against domestic violence is prohibited. However, subject to

  4  legislative appropriation, the clerk of the circuit court may,

  5  on a quarterly basis, submit to the Office of the State Courts

  6  Administrator the copies of petitions for protection against

  7  domestic violence issued by the court for reimbursement at the

  8  rate of $40 per petition. From this reimbursement, the clerk

  9  shall pay any law enforcement agency serving the injunction

10  the fee requested by the law enforcement agency which may not

11  exceed $20. the total charge, including any administration

12  fees, law enforcement agency charges, and court costs or

13  service charges, for any court to issue an injunction

14  concerning domestic violence under chapter 741 or chapter 784

15  shall not exceed $50.  The total charge by any law enforcement

16  agency to serve an injunction or restraining order concerning

17  violence shall not exceed $20.  The remaining $30 fee

18  collected for an injunction under chapter 741 shall only be

19  applied to the initial $40 service charge collected by the

20  clerk of the court as provided in s. 28.241(1). In the event

21  the victim does not have sufficient funds with which to pay

22  filing fees to the clerk of the court or service fees to the

23  sheriff or law enforcement agency and signs an affidavit

24  stating so, the fees shall be waived by the clerk of the court

25  or the sheriff or law enforcement agency to the extent

26  necessary to process the petition and serve the injunction,

27  subject to a subsequent order of the court relative to the

28  payment of such fees.

29         (3)(a)  The sworn petition shall allege the existence

30  of such domestic violence and shall include the specific facts

31  and circumstances upon the basis of which relief is sought.

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  1         (b)  The sworn petition shall be in substantially the

  2  following form:

  3

  4                           PETITION FOR

  5                    INJUNCTION FOR PROTECTION

  6                    AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

  7

  8  Before me, the undersigned authority, personally appeared

  9  Petitioner ...(Name)..., who has been sworn and says that the

10  following statements are true:

11         (a)  Petitioner resides at: ...(address)...

12         (Petitioner may furnish address to the court in a

13  separate confidential filing if, for safety reasons, the

14  petitioner requires the location of the current residence to

15  be confidential.)

16         (b)  Respondent resides at: ...(last known address)...

17         (c)  Respondent's last known place of employment:

18  ...(name of business and address)...

19         (d)  Physical description of respondent: ....

20         Race....

21         Sex....

22         Date of birth....

23         Height....

24         Weight....

25         Eye color....

26         Hair color....

27         Distinguishing marks or scars....

28         (e)  Aliases of respondent: ....

29         (f)  Respondent is the spouse or former spouse of the

30  petitioner or is any other person related by blood or marriage

31  to the petitioner or is any other person who is or was

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  1  residing within a single dwelling unit with the petitioner, as

  2  if a family, or is a person with whom the petitioner has a

  3  child in common, regardless of whether the petitioner and

  4  respondent are or were married or residing together, as if a

  5  family.

  6         (g)  The following describes any other cause of action

  7  currently pending between the petitioner and respondent: .....

  8  ..............................................................

  9         The petitioner should also describe any previous or

10  pending attempts by the petitioner to obtain an injunction for

11  protection against domestic violence in this or any other

12  circuit, and the results of that attempt......................

13  ..............................................................

14  Case numbers should be included if available.

15         (h)  Petitioner is either a victim of domestic violence

16  has suffered or has reasonable cause to believe he or she is

17  in imminent danger of becoming a victim of fear imminent

18  domestic violence because respondent has ....(mark all

19  sections that apply and describe in the spaces below the

20  incidents of violence or threats of violence, specifying when

21  and where they occurred, including, but not limited to,

22  locations such as a home, school, place of employment, or

23  visitation exchange)....: ....................................

24         ....committed or threatened to commit domestic violence

25  defined in s. 741.28, Florida Statutes, as any assault,

26  aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual

27  assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking,

28  kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense

29  resulting in physical injury or death of one family or

30  household member by another. With the exception of persons who

31  are parents of a child in common and those in a dating

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  1  relationship, the family or household members must be

  2  currently residing or have in the past resided together in the

  3  same single dwelling unit.

  4         ....previously threatened, harassed, stalked, or

  5  physically abused the petitioner.

  6         ....attempted to harm the petitioner or family members

  7  or individuals closely associated with the petitioner.

  8         ....threatened to conceal, kidnap, or harm the

  9  petitioner's child or children.

10         ....intentionally injured or killed a family pet.

11         ....used, or has threatened to use, against the

12  petitioner any weapons such as guns or knives.

13         ....physically restrained the petitioner from leaving

14  the home or calling law enforcement.

15         ....a criminal history involving violence or the threat

16  of violence (if known).

17         ....another order of protection issued against him or

18  her previously or from another jurisdiction (if known).

19         ....destroyed personal property, including, but not

20  limited to, telephones or other communication equipment,

21  clothing, or other items belonging to the petitioner.

22         ....engaged in any other behavior or conduct that leads

23  the petitioner to have reasonable cause to believe he or she

24  is in imminent danger of becoming a victim of domestic

25  violence.

26         (i)  Petitioner alleges the following additional

27  specific facts: (mark appropriate sections)

28         ....Petitioner is the custodian of a minor child or

29  children whose names and ages are as follows: ................

30         ....Petitioner needs the exclusive use and possession

31  of the dwelling that the parties share.

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  1         ....Petitioner is unable to obtain safe alternative

  2  housing because: .............................................

  3         ....Petitioner genuinely fears that respondent

  4  imminently will abuse, remove, or hide the minor child or

  5  children from petitioner because: ............................

  6  ..............................................................

  7         (j)  Petitioner genuinely fears imminent domestic

  8  violence by respondent.

  9         (k)  Petitioner seeks an injunction: (mark appropriate

10  section or sections)

11         ....Immediately restraining the respondent from

12  committing any acts of domestic violence.

13         ....Restraining the respondent from committing any acts

14  of domestic violence.

15         ....Awarding to the petitioner the temporary exclusive

16  use and possession of the dwelling that the parties share or

17  excluding the respondent from the residence of the petitioner.

18         ....Awarding temporary custody of, or temporary

19  visitation rights with regard to, the minor child or children

20  of the parties, or prohibiting or limiting visitation to that

21  which is supervised by a third party.

22         ....Establishing temporary support for the minor child

23  or children or the petitioner.

24         ....Directing the respondent to participate in a

25  batterers' intervention program or other treatment pursuant to

26  s. 39.901, Florida Statutes.

27         ....Providing any terms the court deems necessary for

28  the protection of a victim of domestic violence, or any minor

29  children of the victim, including any injunctions or

30  directives to law enforcement agencies.

31

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  1         (c)  Every petition for an injunction against domestic

  2  violence shall contain, directly above the signature line, a

  3  statement in all capital letters and bold type not smaller

  4  than the surrounding text, as follows:

  5

  6         I HAVE READ EVERY STATEMENT MADE IN THIS

  7         PETITION AND EACH STATEMENT IS TRUE AND

  8         CORRECT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE STATEMENTS MADE

  9         IN THIS PETITION ARE BEING MADE UNDER PENALTY

10         OF PERJURY, PUNISHABLE AS PROVIDED IN SECTION

11         837.02, FLORIDA STATUTES.

12                                        ...(initials)...

13

14         (d)  If the sworn petition seeks to determine issues of

15  custody or visitation with regard to the minor child or

16  children of the parties, the sworn petition shall be

17  accompanied by or shall incorporate the allegations required

18  by s. 61.132 of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act.

19         (6)(a)  Upon notice and hearing, when it appears to the

20  court that the petitioner is either the victim of domestic

21  violence as defined by s. 741.28 or has reasonable cause to

22  believe he or she is in imminent danger of becoming a victim

23  of domestic violence, the court may grant such relief as the

24  court deems proper, including an injunction:

25         1.  Restraining the respondent from committing any acts

26  of domestic violence.

27         2.  Awarding to the petitioner the exclusive use and

28  possession of the dwelling that the parties share or excluding

29  the respondent from the residence of the petitioner.

30

31

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  1         3.  On the same basis as provided in chapter 61,

  2  awarding temporary custody of, or temporary visitation rights

  3  with regard to, a minor child or children of the parties.

  4         4.  On the same basis as provided in chapter 61,

  5  establishing temporary support for a minor child or children

  6  or the petitioner.

  7         5.  Ordering the respondent to participate in

  8  treatment, intervention, or counseling services to be paid for

  9  by the respondent. When the court orders the respondent to

10  participate in a batterers' intervention program, the court,

11  or any entity designated by the court, must provide the

12  respondent with a list of all certified batterers'

13  intervention programs and all programs which have submitted an

14  application to the Department of Corrections to become

15  certified under s. 741.325, from which the respondent must

16  choose a program in which to participate. If there are no

17  certified batterers' intervention programs in the circuit, the

18  court shall provide a list of acceptable programs from which

19  the respondent must choose a program in which to participate.

20         6.  Referring a petitioner to a certified domestic

21  violence center. The court must provide the petitioner with a

22  list of certified domestic violence centers in the circuit

23  which the petitioner may contact.

24         7.  Ordering such other relief as the court deems

25  necessary for the protection of a victim of domestic violence,

26  including injunctions or directives to law enforcement

27  agencies, as provided in this section.

28         (b)  In determining whether a petitioner has reasonable

29  cause to believe he or she is in imminent danger of becoming a

30  victim of domestic violence, the court shall consider and

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  1  evaluate all relevant factors alleged in the petition,

  2  including, but not limited to:

  3         1.  The history between the petitioner and the

  4  respondent, including threats, harassment, stalking, and

  5  physical abuse.

  6         2.  Whether the respondent has attempted to harm the

  7  petitioner or family members or individuals closely associated

  8  with the petitioner.

  9         3.  Whether the respondent has threatened to conceal,

10  kidnap, or harm the petitioner's child or children.

11         4.  Whether the respondent has intentionally injured or

12  killed a family pet.

13         5.  Whether the respondent has used, or has threatened

14  to use, against the petitioner any weapons such as guns or

15  knives.

16         6.  Whether the respondent has physically restrained

17  the petitioner from leaving the home or calling law

18  enforcement.

19         7.  Whether the respondent has a criminal history

20  involving violence or the threat of violence.

21         8.  The existence of a verifiable order of protection

22  issued previously or from another jurisdiction.

23         9.  Whether the respondent has destroyed personal

24  property, including, but not limited to, telephones or other

25  communications equipment, clothing, or other items belonging

26  to the petitioner.

27         10.  Whether the respondent engaged in any other

28  behavior or conduct that leads the petitioner to have

29  reasonable cause to believe that he or she is in imminent

30  danger of becoming a victim of domestic violence.

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  1  In making its determination under this paragraph, the court is

  2  not limited to those factors enumerated in subparagraphs

  3  1.-10.

  4         (c)(b)  The terms of an injunction restraining the

  5  respondent under subparagraph (a)1. or ordering other relief

  6  for the protection of the victim under subparagraph (a)7.

  7  shall remain in effect until modified or dissolved. Either

  8  party may move at any time to modify or dissolve the

  9  injunction. No specific allegations are required. Such relief

10  may be granted in addition to other civil or criminal

11  remedies.

12         (d)(c)  A temporary or final judgment on injunction for

13  protection against domestic violence entered pursuant to this

14  section shall, on its face, indicate that:

15         1.  The injunction is valid and enforceable in all

16  counties of the State of Florida.

17         2.  Law enforcement officers may use their arrest

18  powers pursuant to s. 901.15(6) to enforce the terms of the

19  injunction.

20         3.  The court had jurisdiction over the parties and

21  matter under the laws of Florida and that reasonable notice

22  and opportunity to be heard was given to the person against

23  whom the order is sought sufficient to protect that person's

24  right to due process.

25         4.  The date respondent was served with the temporary

26  or final order, if obtainable.

27         (e)(d)  An injunction for protection against domestic

28  violence entered pursuant to this section, on its face, may

29  order that the respondent attend a batterers' intervention

30  program as a condition of the injunction. Unless the court

31  makes written factual findings in its judgment or order which

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  1  are based on substantial evidence, stating why batterers'

  2  intervention programs would be inappropriate, the court shall

  3  order the respondent to attend a batterers' intervention

  4  program if:

  5         1.  It finds that the respondent willfully violated the

  6  ex parte injunction;

  7         2.  The respondent, in this state or any other state,

  8  has been convicted of, had adjudication withheld on, or pled

  9  nolo contendere to a crime involving violence or a threat of

10  violence; or

11         3.  The respondent, in this state or any other state,

12  has had at any time a prior injunction for protection entered

13  against the respondent after a hearing with notice.

14

15  It is mandatory that such programs be certified under s.

16  741.32.

17         (f)(e)  The fact that a separate order of protection is

18  granted to each opposing party shall not be legally sufficient

19  to deny any remedy to either party or to prove that the

20  parties are equally at fault or equally endangered.

21         (g)(f)  A final judgment on injunction for protection

22  against domestic violence entered pursuant to this section

23  must, on its face, indicate that it is a violation of s.

24  790.233, and a first degree misdemeanor, for the respondent to

25  have in his or her care, custody, possession, or control any

26  firearm or ammunition.

27         (h)  All proceedings under this subsection shall be

28  recorded. Recording may be by electronic means as provided by

29  the Rules of Judicial Administration.

30         (7)  The court shall allow an advocate from a state

31  attorney's office, an advocate from a law enforcement agency,

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  1  or an advocate from a certified domestic violence center who

  2  is registered under s. 39.905 to be present with the

  3  petitioner or respondent during any court proceedings or

  4  hearings related to the injunction for protection, provided

  5  the petitioner or respondent has made such a request and the

  6  advocate is able to be present.

  7         Section 11.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section

  8  741.31, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  9         741.31  Violation of an injunction for protection

10  against domestic violence.--

11         (4)(a)  A person who willfully violates an injunction

12  for protection against domestic violence issued pursuant to s.

13  741.30, or a foreign protection order accorded full faith and

14  credit pursuant to s. 741.315, by:

15         1.  Refusing to vacate the dwelling that the parties

16  share;

17         2.  Going to, or being within 500 feet of, the

18  petitioner's residence, school, place of employment, or a

19  specified place frequented regularly by the petitioner and any

20  named family or household member;

21         3.  Committing an act of domestic violence against the

22  petitioner;

23         4.  Committing any other violation of the injunction

24  through an intentional unlawful threat, word, or act to do

25  violence to the petitioner; or

26         5.  Telephoning, contacting, or otherwise communicating

27  with the petitioner directly or indirectly, unless the

28  injunction specifically allows indirect contact through a

29  third party;

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  1         6.  Knowingly and intentionally coming within 100 feet

  2  of the petitioner's motor vehicle, whether or not that vehicle

  3  is occupied;

  4         7.  Defacing or destroying the petitioner's personal

  5  property, including the petitioner's motor vehicle; or

  6         8.  Refusing to surrender firearms or ammunition if

  7  ordered to do so by the court

  8

  9  commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as

10  provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

11         Section 12.  Subsection (2) of section 943.171, Florida

12  Statutes, is amended to read:

13         943.171  Basic skills training in handling domestic

14  violence cases.--

15         (2)  As used in this section, the term:

16         (a)  "Domestic violence" has the meaning set forth in

17  s. 741.28 means any assault, battery, sexual assault, sexual

18  battery, or any criminal offense resulting in the physical

19  injury or death of one family or household member by another

20  who is or was residing in the same single dwelling unit.

21         (b)  "Household member" has the meaning set forth in s.

22  741.28(4) means spouse, former spouse, persons related by

23  blood or marriage, persons who are presently residing

24  together, as if a family, or who have resided together in the

25  past, as if a family, and persons who have a child in common

26  regardless of whether they have been married or have resided

27  together at any time.

28         Section 13.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section

29  985.213, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

30         985.213  Use of detention.--

31         (2)

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  1         (b)1.  The risk assessment instrument for detention

  2  care placement determinations and orders shall be developed by

  3  the Department of Juvenile Justice in agreement with

  4  representatives appointed by the following associations: the

  5  Conference of Circuit Judges of Florida, the Prosecuting

  6  Attorneys Association, the Public Defenders Association, the

  7  Florida Sheriffs Association, and the Florida Association of

  8  Chiefs of Police.  Each association shall appoint two

  9  individuals, one representing an urban area and one

10  representing a rural area.  The parties involved shall

11  evaluate and revise the risk assessment instrument as is

12  considered necessary using the method for revision as agreed

13  by the parties. The risk assessment instrument shall take into

14  consideration, but need not be limited to, prior history of

15  failure to appear, prior offenses, offenses committed pending

16  adjudication, any unlawful possession of a firearm, theft of a

17  motor vehicle or possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and

18  probation status at the time the child is taken into custody.

19  The risk assessment instrument shall also take into

20  consideration appropriate aggravating and mitigating

21  circumstances, and shall be designed to target a narrower

22  population of children than s. 985.215(2). The risk assessment

23  instrument shall also include any information concerning the

24  child's history of abuse and neglect. The risk assessment

25  shall indicate whether detention care is warranted, and, if

26  detention care is warranted, whether the child should be

27  placed into secure, nonsecure, or home detention care.

28         2.  If, at the detention hearing, the court finds a

29  material error in the scoring of the risk assessment

30  instrument, the court may amend the score to reflect factual

31  accuracy.

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  1         3.  A child who is charged with committing an offense

  2  of domestic violence as defined in s. 741.28(1) and who does

  3  not meet detention criteria may be held in secure detention if

  4  the court makes specific written findings that:

  5         a.  Respite care for the child is not available; and

  6         b.  It is necessary to place the child in secure

  7  detention in order to protect the victim from injury.

  8

  9  The child may not be held in secure detention under this

10  subparagraph for more than 48 hours unless ordered by the

11  court. After 48 hours, the court shall hold a hearing if the

12  state attorney or victim requests that secure detention be

13  continued. The child may continue to be held in detention care

14  if the court makes a specific, written finding that detention

15  care is necessary to protect the victim from injury. However,

16  the child may not be held in detention care beyond the time

17  limits set forth in s. 985.215.

18         4.  For a child who is under the supervision of the

19  department through probation, home detention, nonsecure

20  detention, conditional release, postcommitment probation, or

21  commitment and who is charged with committing a new offense,

22  the risk assessment instrument may be completed and scored

23  based on the underlying charge for which the child was placed

24  under the supervision of the department and the new offense.

25         Section 14.  Paragraph (d) of subsection (2) of section

26  985.215, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

27         985.215  Detention.--

28         (2)  Subject to the provisions of subsection (1), a

29  child taken into custody and placed into nonsecure or home

30  detention care or detained in secure detention care prior to a

31  detention hearing may continue to be detained by the court if:

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  1         (d)  The child is charged with committing an offense of

  2  domestic violence as defined in s. 741.28(1) and is detained

  3  as provided in s. 985.213(2)(b)3.

  4

  5  A child who meets any of these criteria and who is ordered to

  6  be detained pursuant to this subsection shall be given a

  7  hearing within 24 hours after being taken into custody. The

  8  purpose of the detention hearing is to determine the existence

  9  of probable cause that the child has committed the delinquent

10  act or violation of law with which he or she is charged and

11  the need for continued detention. Unless a child is detained

12  under paragraph (d) or paragraph (e), the court shall utilize

13  the results of the risk assessment performed by the juvenile

14  probation officer and, based on the criteria in this

15  subsection, shall determine the need for continued detention.

16  A child placed into secure, nonsecure, or home detention care

17  may continue to be so detained by the court pursuant to this

18  subsection. If the court orders a placement more restrictive

19  than indicated by the results of the risk assessment

20  instrument, the court shall state, in writing, clear and

21  convincing reasons for such placement. Except as provided in

22  s. 790.22(8) or in subparagraph (10)(a)2., paragraph (10)(b),

23  paragraph (10)(c), or paragraph (10)(d), when a child is

24  placed into secure or nonsecure detention care, or into a

25  respite home or other placement pursuant to a court order

26  following a hearing, the court order must include specific

27  instructions that direct the release of the child from such

28  placement no later than 5 p.m. on the last day of the

29  detention period specified in paragraph (5)(b) or paragraph

30  (5)(c), or subparagraph (10)(a)1., whichever is applicable,

31  unless the requirements of such applicable provision have been

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  1  met or an order of continuance has been granted pursuant to

  2  paragraph (5)(f).

  3         Section 15.  This act shall take effect October 1,

  4  2002.

  5

  6          STATEMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES CONTAINED IN
                       COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
  7                            CS/SB 316

  8

  9  This committee substitute prohibits the assessment of a fee
    for filing a petition for injunction for protection against
10  domentic violence.  It provides that the clerks of the court
    may apply for reimbursement at a rate of $40 per petition, and
11  from this reimbursement the clerk shall pay any law
    emforcement agency serving the injunction a fee not to exceed
12  $20.  Funds are made available for reimbursement by
    legislative appropriation.
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