JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A new Florida law aimed at strengthening protections for domestic violence survivors and increasing accountability for repeat offenders is set to take effect July 1.
House Bill 277, which received unanimous support in both the Florida House and Senate, creates tougher penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders, increases financial assistance for survivors, expands the factors judges can consider when issuing protective injunctions and establishes pilot electronic monitoring programs for certain offenders.
Advocates say the changes address patterns of escalating abuse that can become increasingly dangerous for survivors…