Failed bills relating to sexual violence

Legislation that failed:

Housing Protections for Victims of Sexual and Domestic Violence
SB 596 by Sen. Nan Rich (D-Sunrise)
HB 517 by Rep. Trudi Williams (R-Ft. Myers)
This legislation, a priority FCASV and FCADV, would have allowed victims of sexual violence and domestic violence to terminate a lease under certain circumstances. This legislation would have prohibited landlords from discriminating against or retaliating against victims of domestic violence, dating violence, repeat violence, or sexual violence and would have required a landlord to change a lock or authorize the tenant to change a lock under certain circumstances. The bill was never heard in the House and was only heard in one committee in the Senate. The Florida Apartment Association opposed the legislation.

Abortion
HB 983 by Rep. Anitere Flores (R-Miami) & Rep. Rachel Burgin (R-Tampa)
SB 1854 by Sen. Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando)
This legislation would have required that an ultrasound be performed on any woman obtaining an abortion. While the legislation provided an exemption from ultrasound viewing requirements for women who are victims of rape, incest, domestic violence, or human trafficking, FCASV testified against the bill in the House Health Care Regulation Committee because the exemption for victims of sexual violence was limited to those reporting the crime. The bill was not heard in the Senate.

Sex Offenders
HB 77 by Rep. Rich Glorioso (R-Plant City)
SB 320 by Sen. Victor Crist (R-Tampa)
This legislation looked at prohibiting loitering or prowling by sex offenders in areas where children regularly congregate. A version of the Senate bill also pre-empted local sex offender residency ordinances to one state standard. FCASV testified in support of these provisions as possible first steps toward more rational statewide sex offender policy. FCASV does not believe that residency restrictions are the best option for ensuring public safety because offenders unable to find stable housing are more likely to re-offend, congregate together, and overly stress certain areas of cities, counties and/or rural areas.

FCASV also testified against an amendment to HB 77 that removed a specialized training requirement for those who treat sex offenders. FCASV is convening a workgroup over the summer to address the issue of who should be considered a "qualified practitioner" for purposes of treating sex offenders. This bill was heard in one committee in the House and Senate.

Sexual Activities Involving Animals
SB 448 by Nan Rich (D-Sunrise)
HB 0273 Rep. William Snyder (R-Stuart)
This legislation, which passed the Senate but failed to pass the House, would have prohibited sexual conduct or sexual contact with an animal. FCASV publicly supported this legislation because of research that shows that those who abuse and sexually assault people often have a history of abusing animals. Law enforcement should be able to track and protect the community from those who abuse animals, as intervening may prevent future violence against animals and people.

Prevention First Act
SB 310 by Nan Rich (D-Sunrise)
HB 129 by Rep. Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville)
This legislation would have required licensed healthcare practitioners and facilities to provide victims of sexual assault with accurate information about emergency contraception, tell victims about the option of receiving emergency contraception, and provide emergency contraception directly to the victim. It would have also required licensed pharmacies to dispense certain forms of contraception without delay. The legislation also directed the Agency for Healthcare Administration to develop a protocol to implement these provisions. The bill was not heard in either the House or Senate. While FCASV supports these policies, we do not necessarily support a legislative approach to this issue.

Sexual Battery Resulting in the Birth of a Child
SB 528 by Sen. Dennis Jones (R-Seminole)
This legislation would have provided grounds for terminating parental rights based on sexual battery that results in the birth of a child. It also would have required a court to retain jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing a restitution order for sexual battery that results in the birth of a child. This bill, which FCASV supports, was not heard.

Public Records Exemption for Stalking Victims
SB 2144 by Sen. Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando)
This legislation would have created an exemption from public records requirements for the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of persons who are victims of stalking or aggravated stalking which are contained in voter registration and voting records held by the supervisor of elections or the Department of State. This bill, which FCASV supports, was not heard.

Criminal History Screening for Sports Coaches
SB 160 by Jeremy Ring (D-Margate)
HB 3 by rep. Joe Gibbons (D-Pembroke Park)
This legislation would have required the sanctioning authority of an independent youth athletic team to screen an applicant for sports coach through designated public websites maintained by the FDLE and the United States Department of Justice. It also stated that a background screening in compliance with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act satisfies screening provisions. The legislation passed the Senate but failed in the House.

Sexual Misconduct with Students by Authority Figures
HB 659 by Rep. Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland)
SB 1892 by Sen. Victor Crist (R-Tampa)
This legislation would have increased the felony level of certain sexual offenses committed against students by an authority figure. This legislation passed the House but failed in the Senate.