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Senate committee advances 'Haven Act' to expand protections for dating-violence victims and study web-based 911 alert
Summary
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee reported favorably on CS for SB 240, dubbed the Haven Act, which would add dating-violence survivors to several state protections and require a feasibility study on a web-based emergency alert number for victims.
The Florida Senate Criminal Justice Committee on a voice vote advanced CS for SB 240, the “Haven Act,” which would expand statutory protections for victims of dating violence and require a feasibility study for a web-based 911 alert system.
The bill, presented by Senator Berman, would make statutory definitions of domestic violence and dating violence congruent so survivors in dating relationships can access the same state confidentiality and address-protection programs available to domestic-violence survivors. It also directs the Division of Telecommunications to consult with state and local agencies and report on the feasibility of a unique emergency telephone number that would allow a victim to alert public-safety answering points and law enforcement without a live 911 operator on the line, enabling geolocation and real-time data sharing, the bill says.
Advocates and survivors told the committee the change fills a gap in services. Christopher Nurse, speaking in support, called the bill “a measured step forward” and said the feasibility study is a practical way to modernize emergency response. Amy Trask, who the sponsor cited as an impetus for the bill, described surviving domestic violence and said the measure will provide “a lifeline” and access to safety resources that she lacked in her own case. Testimony also came from Sarah Homan and other survivors and stakeholders who urged passage.
Senator Berman said the bill responds to repeated tragedies tied to domestic and dating violence and asked the committee for support. The bill drew no recorded opposition on the floor of the committee; committee staff recorded an affirmative report.
The committee adopted the delete-all amendment before reporting the bill as committee substitute. Committee members who spoke during debate emphasized the bill’s two principal changes: the feasibility study for a web-based alert phone number with geolocation and the expansion of the confidentiality program eligibility to include dating-violence survivors.
With the committee’s favorable report, the bill moves to the next committee stop in the Senate process.
Votes at the committee: CS for SB 240 was reported favorably.
