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SB 296

Victims of Domestic Violence and Dating Violence

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lori Berman and 3 co-sponsors

SB 296 strengthens Florida's domestic and dating violence protections through expanded victim services, legal safeguards, and law enforcement procedures.

Chapter No. 2026-91
#subjectindex #(vetoed)
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Bill Summary · SB 296

Legislative bill overview

SB 296 addresses protections and services for victims of domestic violence and dating violence in Florida. The bill has advanced through the Rules Committee with unanimous support and is now positioned for full Senate consideration on second reading.

Why is this important

Domestic and dating violence affects thousands of Floridians annually, with victims often facing barriers to safety, legal protection, and services. Legislation in this area can expand access to restraining orders, counseling, housing assistance, or law enforcement training—directly impacting survivor outcomes and potentially reducing repeat incidents.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of protections: Disagreement may exist over which relationships qualify as "dating violence" and at what point a relationship triggers legal protections
  • Resource allocation: Expanding victim services requires funding; debate may center on budget impact and whether existing programs should be restructured versus expanded
  • Law enforcement involvement: Questions may arise about mandatory reporting requirements, arrest policies, and training standards that could affect both victim autonomy and perpetrator accountability

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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