This document does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives.
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DATE: 3/13/2024
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF FINAL BILL ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/HB 761 Interpersonal Violence Injunction Petitions
SPONSOR(S): Civil Justice Subcommittee, Garcia and others
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS: CS/SB 852
FINAL HOUSE FLOOR ACTION: 113 Y’s
0 N’s GOVERNOR’S ACTION: Pending
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
CS/HB 761 passed the House on March 1, 2024. The bill was amended in the Senate on March 4, 2024, and
returned to the House. The House concurred in the Senate amendment and subsequently passed the bill as
amended on March 7, 2024.
Pursuant to s. 741.28, F.S., domestic violence means any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated
battery, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false
imprisonment, or any other criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household
member by another family or household member. To protect himself or herself from abuse or threats of abuse,
a domestic violence victim may petition for a protective injunction.
Chapter 741, F.S., provides a process for a victim to seek protection from domestic violence. Generally, a
petitioner files a sworn notarized petition with the circuit court seeking an injunction for protection against
domestic violence. Upon review of the petition and any supporting documents by a judge, one of three ex parte
actions generally occurs:
The petition for injunction is denied, and the judge must provide written findings detailing the reasons
for the denial;
A temporary injunction is issued and a return hearing is set to be held within 15 days; or
The injunction is denied but a return hearing is set for the matter to be heard in court with both parties
having the opportunity to be present.
Following a hearing, the court may either issue a final injunction or deny the petition and close the case. A final
injunction may be issued for a set period of time or may remain in place indefinitely. The terms of an injunction
remain in effect until it expires, is modified, or is dissolved by court order.
Separate and apart from the criminal actions established relating to domestic violence, Florida recognizes
repeat violence, sexual violence, and dating violence, as well as stalking, as offenses for which a victim may
also seek civil injunctive protection. Under current law, a petition for protection against domestic violence,
repeat violence, sexual violence, dating violence, or stalking must be sworn to and signed in the presence of a
notary.
CS/HB 761 eliminates the requirement that a petition for protection against the above-mentioned offenses be
sworn to and witnessed by a notary. Under the bill, such petitions need only be verified, meaning that the
petitioner must acknowledge that the statements made in the petition are true and sign the petition under
penalties of perjury.
Subject to the Governor’s veto powers, the effective date of this bill is July 1, 2024..
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I. SUBSTANTIVE INFORMATION
A. EFFECT OF CHANGES:
Background
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence means any criminal offense resulting in the physical injury or death of one family or
household member
1
by another family or household member,
2
including:
Assault;
3
Aggravated assault;
4
Battery;
5
Aggravated battery;
6
Sexual assault;
7
Sexual battery;
8
Stalking;
9
Aggravated stalking;
10
Kidnapping;
11
and
False imprisonment.
12
In 2020,
13
Florida law enforcement agencies received 106,615 domestic violence reports,
14
resulting in
63,345 arrests.
15
During fiscal year 2021-2022, Florida’s 41 certified domestic violence shelters
16
admitted 11,811 victims to a residential services program and 38,630 victims to a non-residential
1
“Family or household member” means spouses, former spouses, persons related by blood or marriage, persons presently residing
together as if a family or who have resided together in the past as if a family, and persons who are parents of a child in common regardless
of whether they have been married. With the exception of persons who have a child in common, the family or household members must
be currently residing or have in the past resided together in the same single dwelling unit. S. 741.28(3), F.S.
2
S. 741.28(2), F.S.
3
“Assault” means an intentional, unlawful threat by word or act to do violence to another, coupled with an apparent ability to do so,
creating a well-founded fear in such other person that violence is imminent. S. 784.011, F.S.
4
“Aggravated assault” means an assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, or an assault with intent to commit a felony. S.
784.021, F.S.
5
“Battery” means the actual and intentional touching or striking of another against his or her will or intentionally causing bodily harm to
another. S. 784.03, F.S.
6
“Aggravated battery” means a battery in which the offender intentionally or knowingly caused great bodily harm, permanent disability,
or permanent disfigurement; used a deadly weapon; or victimized a person the offender knew or should have known was pregnant. S.
784.045, F.S.
7
“Sexual assault” has the same meaning as sexual battery.
8
“Sexual battery” means oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by, or in union with, the sexual organ of another or the anal or vaginal
penetration of another by any object, but does not include an act done for a bona fide medical purpose. S. 794.011(1)(h), F.S.
9
“Stalking” means willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly following, harassing, or cyberstalking another. S. 784.048(2), F.S.
10
“Aggravated stalking” means willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly following, harassing, or cyberstalking another and making a credible
threat to that person. S. 784.048(3), F.S.
11
“Kidnapping” means forcibly, secretly, or by threat confining, abducting, or imprisoning another against his or her will and without lawful
authority with the intent to hold for ransom or reward or as a shield or hostage; commit or facilitate a felony; inflict bodily harm upon or
terrorize another; or interfere with the performance of any governmental or political function. S. 787.01(1), F.S.
12
“False imprisonment” means forcibly, by threat, or secretly confining, abducting, imprisoning, or restraining another person without
lawful authority and against his or her will. S. 787.02(1), F.S.
13
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has not issued a report with updated statistics after 2020.
14
Statewide Reported Domestic Violence Offenses in Florida, 1992 -2020, Florida Department of Law Enforcement ,
https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/CJAB/UCR/Annual-Reports/UCR-Domestic-Violence/02/DV_Offenses_by_Type.aspx (last visited Jan. 4,
2024).
15
Florida’s County and Jurisdictional Domestic Violence Related Arrests, 2020, Florida Department of Law Enforcement,
https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/CJAB/UCR/Annual-Reports/UCR-Domestic-Violence/07/DV_Jurisdiction_Arrests_2020.aspx (last visited
Jan. 4, 2024).
16
“Domestic violence shelter” means an agency providing services to domestic violence victims as its primary mission. The Florida
Department of Children and Families operates the statewide Domestic Violence Program, responsible for certifying domestic violence
centers. Section 39.905, F.S., and ch. 65H-1, F.A.C., set forth the minimum domestic violence center certification standards.
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outreach services program.
17
During the same year, the domestic violence centers answered 81,357
crisis hotline calls, completed 171,008 safety plans with survivors, and provided 380,040 direct service
information and referrals to survivors, family members, and individuals seeking services.
18
Repeat Violence, Sexual Violence, and Dating Violence
Pursuant to s. 784.046, F.S., “sexual violence” means any one of the following incidents, regardless of
whether criminal charges were filed, reduced, or dismissed:
Sexual battery, as defined under ch. 794;
A lewd or lascivious act committed upon or in the presence of a person under 16 years of age;
Luring or enticing a child;
Sexual performance by a child; or
Any other forcible felony wherein a sexual act is committed or attempted.
“Dating violence” is violence between two people who have had or continue to have a significant
relationship of a romantic or intimate nature.
19
Unlike with domestic violence, there is no requirement
that the alleged victim and aggressor reside together in the same home. Further, the existence of
dating violence is proven based on a consideration of the following factors:
20
A dating relationship must have existed within the past 6 months;
The nature of the relationship must have been characterized by the expectation of affection or
sexual involvement between the parties; and
The frequency and type of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship must
have included that the persons have been involved over time and on a continuous basis during
the course of the relationship.
“Repeat violence” means two incidents of violence or stalking committed by the respondent, one of
which must have been within 6 months of the filing of the petition, which are directed at the petitioner,
or the petitioner’s immediate family member.
21
Injunctions for Protection
Domestic Violence Injunctions
An injunction is a court order prohibiting a person from doing a specified act or commanding a person
to undo some wrong or injury.
22
An injunction for protection against domestic violence (“domestic
violence injunction”) may be sought by a family or household member.
23
The parties do not need to be
married before a person can seek relief from domestic violence, and a party’s right to seek relief is not
affected by leaving the residence or household to avoid domestic violence.
24
Under current law, every petition for injunction against domestic violence must be sworn to and signed
in the presence of a notary.
25
Every petition must contain a statement directly above the signature line
stating:
I HAVE READ EVERY STATEMENT MADE IN THIS PETITION AND EACH STATEMENT IS
TRUE AND CORRECT. I UNDERSTAN D THAT THE STATEMENTS MADE IN THIS
17
2022 Domestic Violence Annual Report , Florida Department of Children and Families
https://www.myflfamilies.com/sites/default/files/2023-02/Domestic_Violence_Annual_Report_2021-22.pdf (last visited Jan. 4, 2024).
18
Id.
19
S. 784.046(1)(d), F.S.
20
Id.
21
S. 784.046(1)(b), F.S.
22
Black’s Law Dictionary 540 (6th ed. 1995).
23
S. 741.30(1)(e), F.S.
24
S. 741.30(1)(d) and (e), F.S.
25
S. 741.30(3), F.S.
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PETITION ARE BEING MADE UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY, PUNISHABLE AS
PROVIDED IN SECTION 837.02, FLORIDA STATUTES.
26
Once a petition for an injunction has been filed with the court, one of three events takes place:
The court determines the petition has no merit and denies the petition, providing written findings
for the denial;
The court grants an ex parte temporary injunction and simultaneously sets a return hearing
within 15 days; or
The injunction is denied but a return hearing is scheduled so that both parties have the
opportunity to present their issues and evidence before the court for further evaluation.
If, upon the initial review of the contents of the petition for an injunction, the court finds the petitioner is
in immediate and present danger of domestic violence, it may grant a temporary injunction in an ex
parte proceeding,
27
pending a full hearing, and grant relief including:
Restraining the respondent from committing any acts of domestic violence;
Awarding to the petitioner the temporary exclusive use and possession of a shared residence or
excluding the respondent from the petitioner’s residence; and
Providing to the petitioner a temporary parenting plan,
28
including a timesharing schedule,
29
which may award the petitioner up to 100 percent of the timesharing.
30
A temporary injunction is effective only for up to 15 days, and a full hearing must be set for a date prior
to the injunction’s expiration.
31
Following the full hearing, if the court determines that the petitioner is either a domestic violence victim
or has reasonable cause to believe he or she is in imminent danger of becoming a domestic violence
victim, it may issue a permanent domestic violence injunction.
32
However, if, after hearing evidence and
testimony from the parties, the court finds no merit in the petitioner’s case, the court may deny the
injunction and dismiss the case.
A court issuing a permanent domestic violence injunction may grant relief including:
Restraining the respondent from committing any acts of domestic violence;
Awarding to the petitioner the exclusive use and possession of a shared residence or excluding
the respondent from the petitioner’s residence;
Providing the petitioner with 100 percent of the timesharing in a parenting plan;
Establishing temporary support for a minor child or for the petitioner;
Ordering the respondent to participate in treatment, intervention, or counseling services;
Referring a petitioner to a certified domestic violence center; and
Ordering relief it deems necessary to protect a domestic violence victim.
33
The terms of a permanent domestic violence injunction remain in effect until the defined period of the
injunction expires, or the injunction is modified or dissolved, and either party may move at any time for
modification or dissolution.
34
26
S. 741.30(3)(c), F.S.
27
“Ex parte,” Latin for “from one party,” refers to motions for orders that can be granted without waiting for a response from the other
side. These are generally orders that are in place only until further hearings can be held. Legal Information Institute, Ex Parte,
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/ex_parte (last visited Nov. 28, 2023).
28
A “parenting plan” governs the relationship between parents relating to decisions that must be made regarding the minor child and
must contain a timesharing schedule for the parents and child. S. 61.046(14), F.S.
29
“Timesharing schedule” means a timetable that must be included in a parenting plan that specifies the time, including overnights and
holidays, which a minor child will spend with each parent. S. 61.046(23), F.S.
30
S. 741.30(5)(a), F.S.
31
S. 741.30(5)(a), F.S.
32
Id.
33
S. 741.30(6)(a), F.S.
34
S. 741.30(6)(c), F.S.
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Injunction for Protection from Repeat Violence, Sexual Violence, or Dating Violence
Separate and apart from the criminal actions established relating to domestic violence, Florida
recognizes repeat violence, sexual violence, and dating violence as offenses for which a victim may
seek civil injunctive protection.
35
Under s. 784.046, F.S., any person who is the victim of repeat
violence, sexual violence, or dating violence, as well as the parent or guardian of a minor who is living
at home and is the victim of such violence, may file a sworn petition for an injunction for protection with
the circuit court.
36
Under current law, every petition for injunction against repeat violence, sexual violence, or dating
violence must be sworn to and signed in the presence of a notary.
37
Once a petition has been filed, the
court must set a hearing to be held as soon as possible.
38
If, after reviewing the petition, the court
believes that an immediate and present danger of violence exists, the court may grant a temporary ex
parte injunction. The temporary injunction is only valid for 15 days unless it is continued by the court.
Upon proper notice and a full hearing, the court may grant such relief as it deems appropriate, including
the issuance of an injunction.
39
Injunction for Protection from Stalking
Florida also recognizes stalking as an offense for which a victim may seek civil injunctive protection.
Pursuant to s. 784.0485(1), F.S., civil injunctive protection against stalking includes protection against
offenses of cyberstalking as defined under s. 784.048(1)(d), F.S. A protective injunction against stalking
under s. 784.0485, F.S., is available to a broader group of victims than the traditional domestic violence
injunction, which, generally, is limited in its availability to members of the same household or family.
Any person who is the victim of stalking or the parent or legal guardian of a minor child who is living at
home who seeks an injunction for protection against stalking on behalf of the minor child has standing
to file a sworn petition for such an injunction.
40
Under current law, every petition for injunction for protection against stalking must be sworn to and
signed in the presence of a notary.
41
Similar to an injunction for protection against domestic violence, a
court may:
Deny the petition and provide written findings explaining the denial; or
Grant an ex parte temporary injunction in response to a petitioner’s petition for injunction for
protection against stalking.
Upon proper notice and a full hearing, the court may grant such relief as it deems appropriate, including
the issuance of an injunction.
42
Temporary Suspension of Notary Requirement for Family Law Forms
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Florida Supreme Court issued Administrative Order
AOSC20-17 (“Administrative Order”). The Administrative Order suspended the requirement that certain
family law forms be notarized, including petitions for protection against domestic violence, stalking,
repeat violence, dating violence, and sexual violence.
43
The Administrative Order provided that
35
“Repeat violence” means two incidents of violence or stalking committed by the respondent, one of which must have been within 6
months of the filing of the petition, which are directed at the petitioner, or the petitioner’s immediate family member. S. 784.046(1)(b),
F.S.
36
S. 784.064(2),F.S.
37
S. 784.046(4)(a), F.S.
38
S. 784.064(5),F.S.
39
Id.
40
S. 784.0845(1), F.S.
41
S. 784.0845(3), F.S.
42
S. 784.0845(6)(a),F.S.
43
Fla. S. Ct., AOSC20-17: Covid-19 Emergency Measures for the Florida State Courts (March 18, 2020),
https://supremecourt.flcourts.gov/content/download/632431/file/AOSC20-17.pdf (last visited Jan. 27, 2024).
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applicable forms must include a statement providing that, “Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I
have read this document and the facts stated in it are true.” The required statement had to be on the
form directly before the petitioner’s signature line.
The Florida Supreme Court subsequently terminated the suspension of the notary requirement for
family law forms on April 27, 2023.
44
Effect of the Bill
CS/HB 761 removes the requirement that a petition for injunction for protection be sworn to in the
presence of a notary in certain types of cases. For matters of domestic violence, stalking, repeat
violence, sexual violence, or dating violence, the petition will only need to be verified and signed by the
petitioner under penalty of perjury; the petitioner will not need to have it notarized.
Under the bill, each injunctive petition for protection against domestic violence, stalking, repeat
violence, sexual violence, or dating violence must contain the following statement above the signature
line, in all capital letters and bold font:
UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I DECLARE THAT I HAVE READ THE FOREGOING
DOCUMENT AND THAT THE FACTS STATED IN IT ARE TRUE. I UN DERSTAND THAT THE
STATEMENTS MADE IN THIS PETITION ARE BEING MADE UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY,
PUNISHABLE AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 92.525, FLORIDA STATUTES.
Subject to the Governor’s veto powers, the effective date of this bill is July 1, 2024.
II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR:
Removing the requirement for the specified petitions to be notarized may increase access to the courts
for victims seeking protection through a civil injunction. Eliminating the notarization requirement may
44
Fla. S. Ct., AOSC23-25: Covid-19 Administrative Orders (April 27, 2023),
https://supremecourt.flcourts.gov/content/download/867149/file/AOSC23-25.pdf (last visited Jan. 27, 2024).
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make it easier for a petitioner to complete and timely file his or her petition and may also save him or
her the cost that may be associated with obtaining a notary.
D. FISCAL COMMENTS:
None.