TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a comprehensive domestic violence reform bill into law during a small gathering in his Tallahassee office on Thursday, capping a legislative effort that earned unanimous votes in both the Florida House and Senate.
Jennie Carter, a domestic violence survivor and advocate, traveled from a conference in Texas with less than 24 hours' notice to witness the signing.
WATCH BELOW: DeSantis signs comprehensive domestic violence reform bill into law
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Carter said. "I'm very excited. I'm so happy."
Carter's connection to the cause runs deep. Shortly before Christmas in 2006, her ex-husband killed their children — Crystal and Nelson — in a murder-suicide in Lake Worth.
"I miss their hugs, their arms around me," Carter told WPTV in a December interview, as state Rep. Debra Tendrich, D-Lake Worth, prepared to file the bill. "I cannot just let my kids be a number and say, 'OK, they passed away. Let me get better.' ... No, I have to make a difference."
Fellow survivor Christine Maron also helped shape the legislation and traveled to Tallahassee from Miami for the signing. Her teenage son, Dominic Ferrell, was stabbed to death in Miami last year while spending the night with his father.
"A year ago, I filed an injunction. I was given full custody of my four children. That injunction was violated 67 times," Maron said. "His father was not to blame (for the stabbing), but the law was violated. (Dominic) was not supposed to be where he was."
For Maron, watching the governor sign the bill was a milestone she had worked toward alongside Carter and others.
"Gov. DeSantis signing it into law was such a special moment to be there. It almost didn't feel real," Maron said.
"Unfortunately, this is the way we have to meet, but at the same time, it's been such a blessing," Carter said.
The bill brings several changes to Florida law, including:
- Stronger penalties for offenders who repeatedly violate protective orders
- GPS monitoring pilot program to track those offenders
- Broader legal definitions making it easier for victims to obtain a protective order
- Additional funding for victims to relocate
- Increased channels of communication between civilian and military law enforcement, so that protective orders on military installations can be applied off-base
Tendrich, a freshman lawmaker, shared her own story of surviving domestic violence as she worked to pass the bill.
"I feel so incredibly proud... It's been one of the most emotional, difficult, and meaningful experiences of my life," Tendrich said. "If you're one person screaming off a mountain top, you couldn't be — you're the only one who hears yourself, right? But if you get a whole village, a whole community to scream that same message with you, that truly resonates."
All three women say the work continues.
Tendrich is planning a statewide listening tour to inform additional legislation aimed at combating domestic violence. Carter travels the country to share her story and advocate for victims and survivors. Maron started a foundation in Dominic's name to further that mission.
"This is my why: to make sure that I can make sure that more Florida families don't have to go through what I went through, (or what) Jenny or Christine have went through," Tendrich said.
The bill passed unanimously in both the House and Senate and is set to take effect July 1.
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.