TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A bill that survivors of domestic violence say will save lives passed a Florida Senate vote unanimously on Monday afternoon, after passing the Florida House last week without a single opposing vote.
WATCH: Survivors speak on passing of domestic violence reform bill
House Bill 277 makes it easier to keep victims of domestic violence safe and hold their abusers accountable under the law.
The bill includes several reforms. It increases penalties for offenders who repeatedly violate protective orders and launches a pilot program for GPS monitoring to track those offenders.
It also creates a statewide database for protective orders, makes it easier for victims to obtain a protective order, and provides additional financial assistance to victims so they can relocate.
WATCH: Mother's personal tragedy has fueled her fight for change
The legislation was inspired in part by Jennie Carter of West Palm Beach, whose ex-husband killed both of their children in 2009. Carter shared her story with lawmakers in Tallahassee to help advance the bill.
"It just makes my heart smile. It makes me proud that my kids did not die in vain, and it makes me proud to see that this bill is going to save a lot of people," Carter said.
WPTV Investigates
Florida domestic violence bill advances with unanimous support
WPTV has been tracking the bill since Rep. Debra Tendrich of Lake Worth introduced it before the legislative session. The bill now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk, and he has until the end of June to sign House Bill 277 into law.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, there is help. Call or text 1-800-799-SAFE. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.