Florida 2025 Regular Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 3 R · 2 D · 1 I cosponsors

SB 240 — Victims of Domestic Violence and Dating Violence

Last action — Died in Fiscal Policy

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2025 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Victims of Domestic Violence and Dating Violence; Requiring the Division of Telecommunications within the Department of Management Services to consult with certain entities to conduct a feasibility study regarding a specified alert system; revising legislative findings to include victims of dating violence; authorizing victims of dating violence to apply to participate in the Attorney General’s address confidentiality program, etc.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

185 added · 282 removed

185 line(s) added, 282 removed.

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Florida Senate - 2025 SB 240 By Senator Berman 26-00221A-25 2025240__ A bill to be entitled An act relating to victims of domestic violence and dating violence;
Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 240 By the Committee on Criminal Justice;
creating s.
and Senators Berman, Rodriguez, DiCeglie, Pizzo, Smith, and Garcia 591-03141-25 2025240c1 A bill to be entitled An act relating to victims of domestic violence and dating violence;
741.317, F.S.;
providing a short title;
creating the Helping Abuse Victims Escape Now (HAVEN) Coordinating Council within the Department of Law Enforcement;
requiring the department to provide certain services;
specifying the composition of the coordinating council;
requiring the Division of Telecommunications within the Department of Management Services to consult with certain entities to conduct a feasibility study regarding a specified alert system;
providing requirements for member appointments, election of a chair, and meetings;
providing requirements for such alert system;
requiring that member appointments be completed and the first meeting of the coordinating council be held by a date certain;
requiring the division to report to the Legislature the results of the feasibility study by a specified date;
specifying duties of the coordinating council;
requiring the coordinating council to submit certain reports to specified entities and persons, the Governor, and the Legislature by a specified date;
providing for funding of the coordinating council;
specifying that the act supersedes certain local regulations;
providing for expiration of the coordinating council;
741.401, F.S.;
revising legislative findings to include victims of dating violence;
reordering and amending s.
providing that victims of dating violence may apply to participate in the Attorney General’s address confidentiality program;
authorizing victims of dating violence to apply to participate in the Attorney General’s address confidentiality program;
amending s.
741.408, F.S.;
requiring the Attorney General to designate certain entities to assist victims of dating violence applying to be address confidentiality program participants;
741.465, 741.4651, and 960.001, F.S.;
741.4651 and 960.001, F.S.;
Page 1 of 9 CODING:
Section 1.
Domestic and dating violence 911 alert system feasibility study.— (1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Division” means the Division of Telecommunications Page 1 of 6 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2025 SB 240 26-00221A-25 2025240__ Section 1.
Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 240 591-03141-25 2025240c1 within the Department of Management Services.
Section 741.317, Florida Statutes, is created to read:
(b) “Enhanced 911” has the same meaning as in s.
741.317 Helping Abuse Victims Escape Now Act;
365.172(3), Florida Statutes.
coordinating council;
(c) “Next Generation 911” has the same meaning as in s.
membership;
365.172(3), Florida Statutes.
duties;
(d) “Public safety agency” has the same meaning as in s.
reports;
365.172(3), Florida Statutes.
funding;
(e) “Public safety answering point” or “PSAP” has the same meaning as in s.
preemption.— (1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “Helping Abuse Victims Escape Now (HAVEN) Act.” (2) CREATION.—The HAVEN Coordinating Council, a coordinating council as defined in s.
365.172(3), Florida Statutes.
20.03, is created within the Department of Law Enforcement.
(2) The division shall consult with enhanced 911 and Next Generation 911 service providers;
The Department of Law Enforcement shall provide administrative and staff support services relating to the functions of the coordinating council.
state, county, and municipal PSAPs;
(3) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
and state and local public safety agencies to conduct a feasibility study regarding the creation of a web-based 911 alert system for use by victims of domestic violence and dating violence which is capable of:
(a) “Dating violence” has the same meaning as in s.
(a) Ensuring real-time data-sharing between PSAPs and law enforcement agencies.
784.046(1)(d).
(b) Creating a unique telephone number for each user which will connect the user to a PSAP.
(b) “Domestic violence” has the same meaning as in s.
(c) Creating a user-generated numerical code or phrase that can be utilized by the user after contacting a PSAP which indicates the user’s need for immediate law enforcement assistance.
Show all 145 changed rows (105 more)
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741.28.
(d) Transmitting specified data to law enforcement agencies when a user calls from his or her unique telephone number and enters his or her numerical code or phrase.
(c) “Dynamic website” means a website that generates webpages in real time and which can change its content and layout depending on various parameters such as user preferences, time of day, and location.
(3) By January 31, 2026, the division must report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives the results of the feasibility study.
(4) MEMBERSHIP;
Page 2 of 6 CODING:
MEETINGS.— (a) The HAVEN Coordinating Council is composed of the following members:
1.
A representative from the Department of Law Enforcement, appointed by the executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement.
2.
A representative from a local law enforcement agency, appointed by the sheriff of the county in which the law Page 2 of 9 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2025 SB 240 26-00221A-25 2025240__ enforcement agency is located.
Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 240 591-03141-25 2025240c1 Section 2.
3.
Section 741.401, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
A representative from a victim services program, appointed by the secretary of the Department of Children and Families.
741.401 Legislative findings;
4.
purpose.—The Legislature finds that persons attempting to escape from actual or threatened domestic violence or dating violence frequently establish new addresses in order to prevent their assailants or probable assailants from finding them.
A representative from a domestic violence advocacy group, appointed by the secretary of the Department of Children and Families.
The purpose of ss.
5.
741.401-741.409 is to enable state and local agencies to respond to requests for public records without disclosing the location of a victim of domestic violence or dating violence, to enable interagency cooperation with the Attorney General in providing address confidentiality for victims of domestic violence and dating violence, and to enable state and local agencies to accept a program participant’s use of an address designated by the Attorney General as a substitute mailing address.
An expert in technology matters, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Section 3.
6.
Section 741.402, Florida Statutes, is reordered and amended to read:
An attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar and who is a member of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar, appointed by the president of The Florida Bar.
7.
Any other representative as determined by the HAVEN Coordinating Council, appointed by the chair of the council.
(b) Appointments to the HAVEN Coordinating Council must be made by September 1, 2025.
Each member serves at the pleasure of the official who appointed the member.
A vacancy on the coordinating council must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(c) The coordinating council shall elect a chair from among its members.
(d) The first meeting of the coordinating council must be held no later than October 1, 2025.
The coordinating council may hold its meetings through teleconference or other electronic means.
(5) DUTIES.—The HAVEN Coordinating Council shall:
(a) Develop a dynamic website with all of the following functions:
Page 3 of 9 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2025 SB 240 26-00221A-25 2025240__ 1.
The ability to synchronize with law enforcement databases to ensure real-time data sharing and updates.
2.
The ability to allow a person using the dynamic website to generate a unique phone number from which the user can call a 911 emergency telephone number when he or she is in need of assistance from law enforcement.
3.
The ability for a user to choose a personalized numerical code or phrase that discreetly alerts a law enforcement agency or sheriff’s office when the user calls his or her uniquely generated phone number.
4.
The ability to automatically transmit specified data to a law enforcement agency or sheriff’s office when a user calls his or her generated phone number and uses his or her personalized numerical code or phrase, which then triggers the immediate dispatch of a law enforcement officer or sheriff to the user’s location.
(b) Establish a public awareness campaign to inform the public about the dynamic website and its features.
(c) Coordinate with local law enforcement agencies and sheriffs to develop and implement a training program to ensure law enforcement officers are equipped to respond swiftly and effectively to alerts that are generated through the dynamic website.
(d) Meet at least quarterly to review relevant data, identify trends, and determine alternative or additional avenues of support for victims of domestic violence or dating violence.
(6) REPORTS.—The HAVEN Coordinating Council shall:
(a) Provide quarterly reports to local law enforcement agencies and sheriff’s offices.
Page 4 of 9 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2025 SB 240 26-00221A-25 2025240__ (b) By November 1 of each year, beginning in 2026, submit to the Governor, the Attorney General, the executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a report that compiles the progress and cost breakdowns relating to the establishment of the dynamic website and, once the dynamic website is functioning, statistics relating to the usage and effectiveness of the website and the effectiveness of the coordinating council.
(7) FUNDING.— (a) The Legislature may appropriate funds annually to the Department of Law Enforcement to be used to implement this act.
(b) The HAVEN Coordinating Council may apply for and receive grants and accept donations to support the development and maintenance of the dynamic website.
(8) PREEMPTION.—This section supersedes any local government regulations on matters covered under this section.
A local government or political subdivision may not administer, implement, or enforce any law, rule, regulation, standard, or provision that conflicts with this section.
(9) REPEAL.—In accordance with s.
20.052(8), this section is repealed October 2, 2028, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
Section 2.
Section 741.402, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
(1) “Address” means a residential street address, school Page 5 of 9 CODING:
(1) “Address” means a residential street address, school address, or work address of an individual, as specified on the individual’s application to be a program participant under ss.
741.401-741.409.
(4)(2) “Program participant” means a person certified as a program participant under s.
741.403.
(2) “Dating violence” means an assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, Page 3 of 6 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2025 SB 240 26-00221A-25 2025240__ address, or work address of an individual, as specified on the individual’s application to be a program participant under ss.
Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 240 591-03141-25 2025240c1 or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death, or the threat of any such act, committed by an individual who has or has had a continuing and significant relationship of a romantic or intimate nature as determined by the factors listed in s.
741.401-741.409.
784.046(1)(d) with the victim, regardless of whether these acts or threats have been reported to law enforcement officers.
(2) “Dating violence” means an act as defined in s.
784.046(1)(a) and includes a threat of such acts committed against an individual in a continuing and significant relationship as determined by the factors listed in s.
784.046(1)(d), regardless of whether these acts or threats have been reported to law enforcement officers.
(4)(2) “Program participant” means a person certified as a program participant under s.
Section 4.
741.403.
Section 3.
Page 6 of 9 CODING:
(a) A sworn statement by the applicant that the applicant has good reason to believe that the applicant, or the minor or incapacitated person on whose behalf the application is made, is a victim of domestic violence or dating violence, and that the applicant fears for his or her safety or his or her children’s Page 4 of 6 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2025 SB 240 26-00221A-25 2025240__ (a) A sworn statement by the applicant that the applicant has good reason to believe that the applicant, or the minor or incapacitated person on whose behalf the application is made, is a victim of domestic violence or dating violence, and that the applicant fears for his or her safety or his or her children’s safety or the safety of the minor or incapacitated person on whose behalf the application is made.
Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 240 591-03141-25 2025240c1 safety or the safety of the minor or incapacitated person on whose behalf the application is made.
Section 4.
Section 741.465, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
741.465 Public records exemption for the Address Confidentiality Program for Victims of Domestic Violence.— (1) For purposes of this section, the term “address” means a residential street address, school address, or work address, as specified on the individual’s application to be a program participant in the Address Confidentiality Program for Victims of Violence.
(2)(1) The addresses, corresponding telephone numbers, and social security numbers of program participants in the Address Confidentiality Program for Victims of Domestic Violence held by the Office of the Attorney General are exempt from s.
119.07(1) and s.
24(a), Art.
I of the State Constitution, except the information may be disclosed under the following circumstances:
to a law enforcement agency for purposes of assisting in the execution of a valid arrest warrant;
if directed by a court order, to a person identified in the order;
or if the Page 7 of 9 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2025 SB 240 26-00221A-25 2025240__ certification has been canceled.
For purposes of this section, the term “address” means a residential street address, school address, or work address, as specified on the individual’s application to be a program participant in the Address Confidentiality Program for Victims of Domestic Violence.
(3)(2) The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of participants in the Address Confidentiality Program for Victims of Domestic Violence contained in voter registration and voting records held by the supervisor of elections and the Department of State are exempt from s.
119.07(1) and s.
24(a), Art.
I of the State Constitution, except the information may be disclosed under the following circumstances:
to a law enforcement agency for purposes of assisting in the execution of an arrest warrant or, if directed by a court order, to a person identified in the order.
This exemption applies to information made exempt by this subsection before, on, or after the effective date of the exemption.
Section 741.408, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
741.408 Assistance for program applicants.—The Attorney General shall designate state and local agencies and nonprofit agencies that provide counseling and shelter services to victims of domestic violence and dating violence to assist persons applying to be program participants.
Assistance and counseling rendered by the Office of the Attorney General or its designees to applicants does not constitute legal advice.
Section 6.
I of the State Constitution in the same manner that the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of participants in the Address Confidentiality Program for Victims of Domestic Violence which are held by the Attorney General under s.
I of the State Constitution in the same manner that the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of participants in the Address Confidentiality Program for Victims of Domestic and Dating Violence which are held by the Attorney General under s.
741.465 are exempt from disclosure, provided that the victim files a sworn statement of stalking with the Office of the Attorney General and otherwise complies Page 8 of 9 CODING:
741.465 are exempt from disclosure, provided that the victim files a sworn statement of stalking with the Office of the Attorney General and otherwise complies with the procedures in ss.
741.401-741.409.
Section 7.
Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section Page 5 of 6 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2025 SB 240 26-00221A-25 2025240__ with the procedures in ss.
Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 240 591-03141-25 2025240c1 960.001, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
741.401-741.409.
Section 6.
Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section 960.001, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
Section 7.
Section 8.
Page 9 of 9 CODING:
Page 6 of 6 CODING:
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Action History

  1. Died in Fiscal Policy

  2. Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration

  3. Now in Fiscal Policy

  4. Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice; YEAS 8 NAYS 0

  5. CS by Criminal Justice read 1st time

  6. On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice, 04/10/25, 11:00 am, 37 Senate Building

  7. Now in Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

  8. Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

  9. CS by Criminal Justice; YEAS 9 NAYS 0

  10. On Committee agenda-- Criminal Justice, 04/01/25, 1:30 pm, 37 Senate Building

  11. Introduced

  12. Referred to Criminal Justice; Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice; Fiscal Policy

  13. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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2 sponsors · 5 co-sponsors · 157 not signed on

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (5)

Not signed on (157)

157 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 157 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Favorable

Passed 8 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 1000
Democrat 3000
Republican 4001
Total 8001
% of votes cast 89%0%0%11%
How each member voted (9)
Member Party Vote
Ingoglia — Yea
Osgood, Rosalind Democrat Yea
Polsky, Tina Scott Democrat Yea
Rouson, Darryl Ervin Democrat Yea
Garcia, Ileana Republican Not Voting
Martin, Jonathan Republican Yea
Simon, Corey Republican Yea
Wright, Tom A. Republican Yea
Yarborough, Clay Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Favorable with Committee Substitute

Passed 9 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 2000
Republican 6000
No Party Affiliation 1000
Total 9000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (9)
Member Party Vote
Bernard, Mack Democrat Yea
Smith, Carlos Guillermo Democrat Yea
Pizzo, Jason W. B. No Party Affiliation Yea
Bradley, Jennifer Republican Yea
Garcia, Ileana Republican Yea
Gruters, Joe Republican Yea
Martin, Jonathan Republican Yea
Simon, Corey Republican Yea
Yarborough, Clay Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 240 do?
Victims of Domestic Violence and Dating Violence; Requiring the Division of Telecommunications within the Department of Management Services to consult with certain entities to conduct a feasibility study regarding a specified alert system; revising legislative findings to include victims of dating violence; authorizing victims of dating violence to apply to participate in the Attorney General’s address confidentiality program, etc.
Who sponsors SB 240?
SB 240 is sponsored by Garcia, Ileana (Republican), Pizzo, Jason W. B. (No Party Affiliation), DiCeglie, Nick (Republican), Rodriguez, Ana Maria (Republican), Berman, Lori (Democrat), Criminal Justice, and Smith, Carlos Guillermo (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 240?
This bill died with 2025 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 240?
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