Florida Senate - 2013                                     SB 196
       
       
       
       By Senator Sobel
       
       
       
       
       33-00421-13                                            2013196__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to families first; amending ss. 28.101
    3         and 28.24, F.S.; setting forth fees and costs to be
    4         applied when petitioning for a dissolution of a
    5         domestic partnership or registering a domestic
    6         partnership, respectively; amending s. 97.1031, F.S.;
    7         providing notice to the supervisor of elections
    8         concerning a change of name due to participation in a
    9         domestic partnership; amending s. 382.002, F.S.;
   10         defining the term “dissolution of a domestic
   11         partnership” for purposes of vital records; including
   12         domestic partnerships and dissolution of domestic
   13         partnership as vital records in this state; conforming
   14         cross-references; amending s. 382.003, F.S.; requiring
   15         the Department of Health to examine all certificates
   16         of domestic partnership forms and dissolution of
   17         domestic partnership reports sent from the courts;
   18         amending s. 382.0085, F.S.; conforming a cross
   19         reference; amending s. 382.021, F.S.; requiring the
   20         clerk of the circuit court to transmit all original
   21         declarations of domestic partnership to the Department
   22         of Health by a specified date each month; amending s.
   23         382.022, F.S.; requiring the clerk of the circuit
   24         court to collect a fee after registering a domestic
   25         partnership; amending s. 382.023, F.S.; requiring the
   26         clerk of the circuit court to collect a fee upon
   27         filing a final judgment for a dissolution of domestic
   28         partnership; amending s. 382.025, F.S.; authorizing
   29         the Department of Health to issue a certified copy of
   30         certain vital records to a domestic partner; amending
   31         s. 382.0255, F.S.; providing that the Department of
   32         Health is entitled to a specified fee for the issuance
   33         of a commemorative certificate of domestic
   34         partnership; amending s. 446.50, F.S.; requiring that
   35         certain fees relating to declarations of domestic
   36         partnership and dissolution of domestic partnership
   37         filings be deposited in the Displaced Homemaker Trust
   38         Fund; amending s. 741.28, F.S.; redefining the term
   39         “family or household member” in the context of
   40         domestic violence to include a domestic partnership;
   41         creating s. 741.501, F.S.; providing legislative
   42         findings; creating s. 741.502, F.S.; defining terms;
   43         creating s. 741.503, F.S.; requiring the Department of
   44         Health to create and distribute the Declaration of
   45         Domestic Partnership and Certificate of Registered
   46         Domestic Partnership forms to each clerk of the
   47         circuit court; requiring the department and each clerk
   48         of the circuit court to make the Declaration of
   49         Domestic Partnership form available to the public;
   50         creating s. 741.504, F.S.; providing that the circuit
   51         court has jurisdiction over domestic partnership
   52         proceedings; requiring the clerk of the circuit court
   53         to maintain a domestic partnership registry; providing
   54         that the registry is a public record; creating s.
   55         741.505, F.S.; requiring two individuals who wish to
   56         become partners in a domestic partnership to complete
   57         and file a Declaration of Domestic Partnership form
   58         with the clerk of the circuit court; specifying the
   59         required contents of the completed form; providing
   60         that each partner who signs the form consents to the
   61         jurisdiction of the circuit court for certain
   62         purposes; providing that if a person files an
   63         intentionally and materially false form, he or she
   64         commits a misdemeanor of the first degree; providing
   65         criminal penalties; requiring the clerk of the circuit
   66         court to register the Declaration of Domestic
   67         Partnership in a domestic partnership registry and
   68         issue a Certificate of Registered Domestic
   69         Partnership; creating s. 741.506, F.S.; authorizing
   70         the domestic partners to retain surnames; creating s.
   71         741.507, F.S.; providing that any privilege or
   72         responsibility granted or imposed by statute,
   73         administrative or court rule, policy, common law, or
   74         any other law to an individual because the individual
   75         is or was related to another by marriage, or is a
   76         child of either of the spouses, is granted on
   77         equivalent terms to domestic partners or individuals
   78         similarly related to domestic partners; providing that
   79         the act does not require or permit the extension of
   80         any benefit under a retirement, deferred compensation,
   81         or other employee benefit plan, if the plan
   82         administrator reasonably concludes that the extension
   83         of benefits to partners would conflict with a
   84         condition for tax qualification of the plan, or a
   85         condition for other favorable tax treatment of the
   86         plan, under the Internal Revenue Code; creating s.
   87         741.508, F.S.; specifying prohibited or void domestic
   88         partnerships; creating s. 741.509, F.S.; requiring
   89         that the clerk of the circuit court collect certain
   90         fees for receiving a Declaration of Domestic
   91         Partnership; authorizing the clerk of the circuit
   92         court to accept installment payments from individuals
   93         who are unable to pay the fees in a lump sum; creating
   94         s. 741.510, F.S.; providing methods to prove the
   95         existence of a registered Declaration Domestic
   96         Partnership when the certificate document has been
   97         lost or is otherwise unavailable; creating s. 741.511,
   98         F.S.; providing for termination of a domestic
   99         partnership; providing for notice; providing for the
  100         effective date of the termination; providing for
  101         registration of the termination; requiring records of
  102         certain terminations to be maintained; providing for
  103         automatic termination of partnership if either party
  104         enters into a valid marriage; providing for a
  105         reasonable fee for termination; reenacting ss.
  106         921.0024(1)(b) and 943.171(2)(b), F.S., relating to
  107         the worksheet form for the Criminal Punishment Code
  108         and the basic skills training for domestic violence
  109         cases, respectively, to incorporate the amendments
  110         made to s. 741.28, F.S., in references thereto;
  111         providing an effective date.
  112  
  113  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
  114  
  115         Section 1. Section 28.101, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  116  read:
  117         28.101 Petitions and records of dissolution of marriage and
  118  domestic partnership; additional charges.—
  119         (1) When a party petitions for a dissolution of marriage or
  120  dissolution of domestic partnership, in addition to the filing
  121  charges in s. 28.241, the clerk shall collect and receive:
  122         (a) A charge of $5. On a monthly basis, the clerk shall
  123  transfer the moneys collected pursuant to this paragraph to the
  124  Department of Revenue for deposit in the Child Welfare Training
  125  Trust Fund created in s. 402.40.
  126         (b) A charge of $5. On a monthly basis, the clerk shall
  127  transfer the moneys collected pursuant to this paragraph to the
  128  Department of Revenue for deposit in the Displaced Homemaker
  129  Trust Fund created in s. 446.50. If a petitioner does not have
  130  sufficient funds with which to pay this fee and signs an
  131  affidavit so stating, all or a portion of the fee shall be
  132  waived subject to a subsequent order of the court relative to
  133  the payment of the fee.
  134         (c) A charge of $55. On a monthly basis, the clerk shall
  135  transfer the moneys collected pursuant to this paragraph to the
  136  Department of Revenue for deposit in the Domestic Violence Trust
  137  Fund. Such funds which are generated shall be directed to the
  138  Department of Children and Family Services for the specific
  139  purpose of funding domestic violence centers.
  140         (d) A charge of $32.50. On a monthly basis, the clerk shall
  141  transfer the moneys collected pursuant to this paragraph as
  142  follows:
  143         1. An amount of $7.50 to the Department of Revenue for
  144  deposit in the Displaced Homemaker Trust Fund.
  145         2. An amount of $25 to the Department of Revenue for
  146  deposit in the General Revenue Fund.
  147         (2) Upon receipt of a final judgment of dissolution of
  148  marriage or dissolution of domestic partnership for filing, and
  149  in addition to the filing charges in s. 28.241, the clerk may
  150  collect and receive a service charge of up to $10.50 pursuant to
  151  s. 382.023 for the recording and reporting the of such final
  152  judgment of dissolution of marriage to the Department of Health.
  153         Section 2. Subsection (23) of section 28.24, Florida
  154  Statutes, is amended to read:
  155         28.24 Service charges by clerk of the circuit court.—The
  156  clerk of the circuit court shall charge for services rendered by
  157  the clerk’s office in recording documents and instruments and in
  158  performing the duties enumerated in amounts not to exceed those
  159  specified in this section. Notwithstanding any other provision
  160  of this section, the clerk of the circuit court shall provide
  161  without charge to the state attorney, public defender, guardian
  162  ad litem, public guardian, attorney ad litem, criminal conflict
  163  and civil regional counsel, and private court-appointed counsel
  164  paid by the state, and to the authorized staff acting on behalf
  165  of each, access to and a copy of any public record, if the
  166  requesting party is entitled by law to view the exempt or
  167  confidential record, as maintained by and in the custody of the
  168  clerk of the circuit court as provided in general law and the
  169  Florida Rules of Judicial Administration. The clerk of the
  170  circuit court may provide the requested public record in an
  171  electronic format in lieu of a paper format when capable of
  172  being accessed by the requesting entity.
  173  
  174  Charges
  175  
  176         (23) Upon receipt of an application for a marriage license
  177  or a declaration of domestic partnership, for preparing and
  178  administering of oath; issuing, sealing, and recording of the
  179  marriage license or registering the domestic partnership; and
  180  providing a certified copy.................................30.00
  181         Section 3. Subsection (2) of section 97.1031, Florida
  182  Statutes, is amended to read:
  183         97.1031 Notice of change of residence, change of name, or
  184  change of party affiliation.—
  185         (2) When an elector seeks to change party affiliation, the
  186  elector shall notify his or her supervisor of elections or other
  187  voter registration official by using a signed written notice
  188  that contains the elector’s date of birth or voter registration
  189  number. When an elector changes his or her name by marriage,
  190  domestic partnership, or other legal process, the elector shall
  191  notify his or her supervisor of elections or other voter
  192  registration official by using a signed written notice that
  193  contains the elector’s date of birth or voter’s registration
  194  number.
  195         Section 4. Present subsections (6) through (17) of section
  196  382.002, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (7)
  197  through (18), respectively, a new subsection (6) is added to
  198  that section, and present subsections (8), (9), and (16) of that
  199  section are amended, to read:
  200         382.002 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, the term:
  201         (6) “Dissolution of domestic partnership” includes an
  202  annulment of domestic partnership.
  203         (7)(6) “Dissolution of marriage” includes an annulment of
  204  marriage.
  205         (8)(7) “Fetal death” means death prior to the complete
  206  expulsion or extraction of a product of human conception from
  207  its mother if the 20th week of gestation has been reached and
  208  the death is indicated by the fact that after such expulsion or
  209  extraction the fetus does not breathe or show any other evidence
  210  of life such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical
  211  cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles.
  212         (9)(8) “Final disposition” means the burial, interment,
  213  cremation, removal from the state, or other authorized
  214  disposition of a dead body or a fetus as described in subsection
  215  (8)(7). In the case of cremation, dispersion of ashes or
  216  cremation residue is considered to occur after final
  217  disposition; the cremation itself is considered final
  218  disposition.
  219         (10)(9) “Funeral director” means a licensed funeral
  220  director or direct disposer licensed pursuant to chapter 497 or
  221  other person who first assumes custody of or effects the final
  222  disposition of a dead body or a fetus as described in subsection
  223  (8)(7).
  224         (17)(16) “Vital records” or “records” means certificates or
  225  reports of birth, death, fetal death, marriage, domestic
  226  partnership, dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership,
  227  name change filed pursuant to s. 68.07, and data related
  228  thereto.
  229         Section 5. Subsection (7) of section 382.003, Florida
  230  Statutes, is amended to read:
  231         382.003 Powers and duties of the department.—The department
  232  shall:
  233         (7) Approve all forms used in registering, recording,
  234  certifying, and preserving vital records, or in otherwise
  235  carrying out the purposes of this chapter, and no other forms
  236  may not shall be used other than those approved by the
  237  department. The department is responsible for the careful
  238  examination of the certificates received monthly from the local
  239  registrars and marriage certificates, certificates of domestic
  240  partnership, and dissolution of marriage and domestic
  241  partnership reports received from the circuit and county courts.
  242  A certificate that is complete and satisfactory shall be
  243  accepted and given a state file number and considered a state
  244  filed record. If any such certificates are incomplete or
  245  unsatisfactory, the department shall require further information
  246  to be supplied as may be necessary to make the record complete
  247  and satisfactory. All physicians, midwives, informants, or
  248  funeral directors, and all other persons having knowledge of the
  249  facts, are required to supply, upon a form approved by the
  250  department or upon the original certificate, such information as
  251  they may possess regarding any vital record.
  252         Section 6. Subsection (9) of section 382.0085, Florida
  253  Statutes, is amended to read:
  254         382.0085 Stillbirth registration.—
  255         (9) This section or s. 382.002(16) s. 382.002(15) may not
  256  be used to establish, bring, or support a civil cause of action
  257  seeking damages against any person or entity for bodily injury,
  258  personal injury, or wrongful death for a stillbirth.
  259         Section 7. Section 382.021, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  260  read:
  261         382.021 Department to receive marriage licenses and
  262  declarations of domestic partnership.—On or before the 5th day
  263  of each month, the county court judge or clerk of the circuit
  264  court shall transmit to the department all original marriage
  265  licenses, with endorsements, and all declarations of domestic
  266  partnership received during the preceding calendar month, to the
  267  department. Any marriage licenses or declarations of domestic
  268  partnership issued and not returned, or any marriage licenses
  269  returned but not recorded, shall be reported by the issuing
  270  county court judge or clerk of the circuit court to the
  271  department at the time of transmitting the recorded licenses or
  272  declarations on the forms to be prescribed and furnished by the
  273  department. If during any month no marriage licenses or
  274  declarations of domestic partnership are issued or returned, the
  275  county court judge or clerk of the circuit court shall report
  276  such fact to the department upon forms prescribed and furnished
  277  by the department.
  278         Section 8. Section 382.022, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  279  read:
  280         382.022 Marriage application; registration of domestic
  281  partnership; fees.—Upon the receipt of each application for the
  282  issuance of a marriage license or registering a domestic
  283  partnership, the county court judge or clerk of the circuit
  284  court shall, pursuant to s. 741.02, collect and receive a fee of
  285  $4 which shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue for
  286  deposit to the Department of Health to defray part of the cost
  287  of maintaining marriage and domestic partnership records.
  288         Section 9. Section 382.023, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  289  read:
  290         382.023 Department to receive dissolution-of-marriage and
  291  dissolution-of-domestic-partnership records; fees.—Clerks of the
  292  circuit courts shall collect for their services At the time of
  293  the filing of a final judgment of dissolution of marriage or
  294  dissolution of domestic partnership, the clerk of the circuit
  295  court shall collect a fee of up to $10.50, of which 43 percent
  296  shall be retained by the clerk of the circuit court as a part of
  297  the cost in the cause in which the judgment is granted. The
  298  remaining 57 percent shall be remitted to the Department of
  299  Revenue for deposit to the Department of Health to defray part
  300  of the cost of maintaining the dissolution-of-marriage and
  301  dissolution-of-domestic-partnership records. A record of each
  302  and every judgment of dissolution of marriage and dissolution of
  303  domestic partnership granted by the court during the preceding
  304  calendar month, giving names of parties and such other data as
  305  required by forms prescribed by the department, shall be
  306  transmitted to the department, on or before the 10th day of each
  307  month, along with an accounting of the funds remitted to the
  308  Department of Revenue pursuant to this section.
  309         Section 10. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and paragraphs
  310  (a) and (c) of subsection (2) of section 382.025, Florida
  311  Statutes, are amended to read:
  312         382.025 Certified copies of vital records; confidentiality;
  313  research.—
  314         (1) BIRTH RECORDS.—Except for birth records over 100 years
  315  old which are not under seal pursuant to court order, all birth
  316  records of this state shall be confidential and are exempt from
  317  the provisions of s. 119.07(1).
  318         (a) Certified copies of the original birth certificate or a
  319  new or amended certificate, or affidavits thereof, are
  320  confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and,
  321  upon receipt of a request and payment of the fee prescribed in
  322  s. 382.0255, shall be issued only as authorized by the
  323  department and in the form prescribed by the department, and
  324  only:
  325         1. To the registrant, if the registrant is of legal age, is
  326  a certified homeless youth, or is a minor who has had the
  327  disabilities of nonage removed under s. 743.01 or s. 743.015;
  328         2. To the registrant’s parent or guardian or other legal
  329  representative;
  330         3. Upon receipt of the registrant’s death certificate, to
  331  the registrant’s spouse or domestic partner or to the
  332  registrant’s child, grandchild, or sibling, if of legal age, or
  333  to the legal representative of any of such persons;
  334         4. To any person if the birth record is over 100 years old
  335  and not under seal pursuant to court order;
  336         5. To a law enforcement agency for official purposes;
  337         6. To any agency of the state or the United States for
  338  official purposes upon approval of the department; or
  339         7. Upon order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
  340         (2) OTHER RECORDS.—
  341         (a) The department shall authorize the issuance of a
  342  certified copy of all or part of any marriage, domestic
  343  partnership, dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, or
  344  death or fetal death certificate, excluding that portion which
  345  is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1)
  346  as provided under s. 382.008, to any person requesting it upon
  347  receipt of a request and payment of the fee prescribed by this
  348  section. A certification of the death or fetal death certificate
  349  which includes the confidential portions shall be issued only:
  350         1. To the registrant’s spouse, domestic partner, or parent,
  351  or to the registrant’s child, grandchild, or sibling, if of
  352  legal age, or to any person who provides a will that has been
  353  executed pursuant to s. 732.502, insurance policy, or other
  354  document that demonstrates his or her interest in the estate of
  355  the registrant, or to any person who provides documentation that
  356  he or she is acting on behalf of any of them;
  357         2. To any agency of the state or local government or the
  358  United States for official purposes upon approval of the
  359  department; or
  360         3. Upon order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
  361         (c) The department shall issue, upon request and upon
  362  payment of an additional fee prescribed by this section, a
  363  commemorative marriage license or certificate of domestic
  364  partnership representing that the marriage or domestic
  365  partnership of the persons named thereon is recorded in the
  366  office of the registrar. The certificate issued under this
  367  paragraph must shall be in a form consistent with the need to
  368  protect the integrity of vital records but must shall be
  369  suitable for display. It may bear the seal of the state printed
  370  thereon and may be signed by the Governor.
  371         Section 11. Paragraph (i) of subsection (1) of section
  372  382.0255, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  373         382.0255 Fees.—
  374         (1) The department is entitled to fees, as follows:
  375         (i) Twenty-five dollars for a commemorative certificate of
  376  birth, or marriage, or domestic partnership. Fees collected
  377  pursuant to this paragraph in excess of expenses shall be used
  378  available for use by the Regional Perinatal Intensive Care
  379  Centers (RPICC) Program to prevent child abuse and neglect.
  380  Funds derived from the issuance of commemorative marriage
  381  certificates shall be used available for use by the Improved
  382  Pregnancy Outcome Program.
  383         Section 12. Paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of section
  384  446.50, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  385         446.50 Displaced homemakers; multiservice programs; report
  386  to the Legislature; Displaced Homemaker Trust Fund created.—
  387         (5) DISPLACED HOMEMAKER TRUST FUND.—
  388         (b) The trust fund shall receive funds generated from an
  389  additional fee on marriage license applications, declarations of
  390  domestic partnerships, and dissolution of marriage and domestic
  391  partnership filings as specified in ss. 741.01(3), 741.509, and
  392  28.101, respectively, and may receive funds from any other
  393  public or private source.
  394         Section 13. Subsection (3) of section 741.28, Florida
  395  Statutes, is amended to read:
  396         741.28 Domestic violence; definitions.—As used in ss.
  397  741.28-741.31:
  398         (3) “Family or household member” means spouses;, former
  399  spouses;, persons related by blood, or marriage, or domestic
  400  partnership; persons who are presently residing together as if a
  401  family or who have resided together in the past as if a family;,
  402  and persons who are parents of a child in common regardless of
  403  whether they have been married. With the exception of persons
  404  who have a child in common, the family or household members must
  405  be currently residing or have in the past resided together in
  406  the same single dwelling unit.
  407         Section 14. Section 741.501, Florida Statutes, is created
  408  to read:
  409         741.501 Legislative findings.—The Legislature finds that:
  410         (1) There are a significant number of individuals in this
  411  state who live together in important, personal, emotional, and
  412  economically committed relationships. Together, these
  413  individuals live, serve, and participate in the community, and
  414  often rear children and care for family members.
  415         (2) These familial relationships, often referred to as
  416  domestic partnerships, assist the state by providing a private
  417  network of support for the financial, physical, and emotional
  418  health of their participants.
  419         (3) The state has a strong interest in promoting stable and
  420  lasting families, and believes that all families should be
  421  provided with the opportunity to obtain necessary legal
  422  protections and status and the ability to achieve their fullest
  423  potential.
  424         (4) While some public and private institutions recognize
  425  domestic partnerships for limited purposes such as health
  426  benefits, hospital visitation, and medical decisionmaking for an
  427  incapacitated family member, many do not. Historically, legal
  428  recognition of marriage by the state is the primary and, in a
  429  number of instances, the exclusive source of numerous rights,
  430  benefits, and responsibilities available to families under the
  431  laws of this state.
  432         (5) The status of marriage in this state is limited by Art.
  433  I of the State Constitution to the union of one man and one
  434  woman and the Legislature does not seek to alter the definition
  435  of marriage in any way. The Legislature also finds, however,
  436  that recognition of domestic partnerships can provide an
  437  alternative mechanism for extending certain important rights and
  438  responsibilities to individuals who choose to form long-term,
  439  mutually supportive relationships. Such recognition will provide
  440  support to these familial relationships without affecting the
  441  definition of marriage, without creating or recognizing a legal
  442  relationship that is the substantial equivalent of marriage, and
  443  without affecting restrictions contained in federal law.
  444         (6) The decision to offer or seek a ceremony or blessing
  445  over the domestic partnership should be left to the dictates of
  446  each religious faith and to the preferences of the persons
  447  entering into the partnership. Sections 741.501-741.511 do not
  448  require performance of any solemnization ceremony to enter into
  449  a binding domestic partnership agreement and do not interfere
  450  with the right of each religious faith to choose freely to whom
  451  to grant the religious status, sacrament, or blessing of
  452  marriage under the rules and practices of that faith.
  453         (7) Because of the material and other support that these
  454  familial relationships provide to their participants, these
  455  relationships should be formally recognized and made uniform by
  456  law. Therefore, the Legislature declares that it is the policy
  457  of this state to establish and define the rights and
  458  responsibilities of domestic partners.
  459         Section 15. Section 741.502, Florida Statutes, is created
  460  to read:
  461         741.502 Definitions.—As used in ss. 741.501-741.511, the
  462  term:
  463         (1) “Department” means the Department of Health.
  464         (2) “Domestic partnership” means a civil contract entered
  465  into between two individuals who are 18 years of age or older
  466  and otherwise capable, of which at least one of whom is a
  467  resident of this state.
  468         (3) “Partner” means an individual joined in a domestic
  469  partnership.
  470         Section 16. Section 741.503, Florida Statutes, is created
  471  to read:
  472         741.503Forms.—
  473         (1) Pursuant to s. 382.003(7), the department shall prepare
  474  forms entitled:
  475         (a) “Declaration of Domestic Partnership” which meet the
  476  requirements of s. 741.505.
  477         (b) “Certificate of Registered Domestic Partnership.”
  478         (2) The department shall distribute the Declaration of
  479  Domestic Partnership and Certificate of Registered Domestic
  480  Partnership forms to each clerk of the circuit court. The
  481  department and each clerk shall make the Declaration of Domestic
  482  Partnership form available to the public.
  483         Section 17. Section 741.504, Florida Statutes, is created
  484  to read:
  485         741.504 Court jurisdiction and duties; registry.—
  486         (1) The circuit court has jurisdiction over any proceeding
  487  relating to the domestic partners’ rights and obligations.
  488         (2) Each clerk of the circuit court shall maintain a
  489  registry of all domestic partnerships entered into in that
  490  circuit and a record of all certificates of domestic partnership
  491  issued which includes the names of the partners and the date of
  492  issuance.
  493         (3) Notwithstanding s. 382.025 or any other law, the
  494  registry of domestic partnerships maintained by a clerk of the
  495  circuit court is a public record and subject to full disclosure.
  496         Section 18. Section 741.505, Florida Statutes, is created
  497  to read:
  498         741.505 Domestic partnership requirements.—
  499         (1) Two individuals wishing to become partners in a
  500  domestic partnership recognized by this state must complete and
  501  file a Declaration of Domestic Partnership form with a clerk of
  502  the circuit court. The declaration must include:
  503         (a) A statement attesting that each individual is 18 years
  504  of age or older and is otherwise capable of entering into a
  505  domestic partnership. The clerk may accept any reasonable proof
  506  of an individual’s age which is satisfactory to the clerk. The
  507  clerk may also require proof of age by affidavit of some
  508  individual other than the parties seeking to file the form if
  509  the clerk deems it necessary.
  510         (b) A statement attesting that at least one of the
  511  individuals is a resident of this state.
  512         (c) Each individual’s mailing address.
  513         (d) A statement attesting that each individual consents to
  514  the jurisdiction of the circuit courts of this state for any
  515  proceeding relating to the partners’ rights and obligations,
  516  even if one or both partners cease to reside or maintain a
  517  domicile in this state.
  518         (e) The notarized signature of each individual, along with
  519  a declaration that the representations made on the form are
  520  true, correct, and contain no material omissions of fact to the
  521  best knowledge and belief of each individual.
  522         (2) Notwithstanding s. 61.021, each person signing a
  523  Declaration of Domestic Partnership form consents to the
  524  jurisdiction of the circuit courts of this state for any
  525  proceeding related to the partners’ rights and obligations, even
  526  if one or both partners cease to reside or maintain a domicile
  527  in this state.
  528         (3) A person who provides intentionally and materially
  529  false information on a Declaration of Domestic Partnership form
  530  with the clerk of court commits a misdemeanor of the first
  531  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
  532         (4) If all legal requirements have been satisfied and there
  533  appears to be no impediment to the domestic partnership, the
  534  clerk of the circuit court shall:
  535         (a) Return a copy of the registered form to the partners;
  536         (b) Register the Declaration of Domestic Partnership in a
  537  domestic partnership registry; and
  538         (c) Issue a Certificate of Registered Domestic Partnership
  539  under his or her hand and seal to the partners in person or at
  540  the mailing address provided by the partners.
  541         Section 19. Section 741.506, Florida Statutes, is created
  542  to read:
  543         741.506 Domestic partnership; name change.—Upon entering
  544  into a domestic partnership, a partner may retain his or her
  545  previous surname, or, if changed, may resume the previous legal
  546  name during the domestic partnership.
  547         Section 20. Section 741.507, Florida Statutes, is created
  548  to read:
  549         741.507 Domestic partnership; rights and responsibilities;
  550  relationship to federal law.—
  551         (1) Any privilege, immunity, right, or benefit granted by
  552  statute, administrative or court rule, policy, common law, or
  553  any other law to an individual because the individual is or was
  554  related to another individual by marriage as an in-law is
  555  granted on equivalent terms, substantive and procedural, to an
  556  individual who is or was in a domestic partnership or who is or
  557  was similarly related as an in-law to an individual
  558  participating in a domestic partnership.
  559         (2) Any responsibility imposed by statute, administrative
  560  or court rule, policy, common law, or any other law on an
  561  individual because the individual is or was related to another
  562  individual by marriage as an in-law is imposed on equivalent
  563  terms, substantive and procedural, on an individual who is or
  564  was in a domestic partnership or who is or was similarly related
  565  as an in-law to an individual participating in a domestic
  566  partnership.
  567         (3) Any privilege, immunity, right, benefit, or
  568  responsibility granted to or imposed by statute, administrative
  569  or court rule, policy, common law, or any other law on a spouse
  570  with respect to a child of either of the spouses is granted to
  571  or imposed on equivalent terms, substantive and procedural, on
  572  an individual in a domestic partnership with respect to a child
  573  of either of the partners.
  574         (4) Any privilege, immunity, right, benefit, or
  575  responsibility granted or imposed by statute, administrative or
  576  court rule, policy, common law, or any other law to or on a
  577  former or surviving spouse with respect to a child of either of
  578  the spouses is granted to or imposed on equivalent terms,
  579  substantive and procedural, on a former or surviving partner
  580  with respect to a child of either of the partners.
  581         (5) For purposes of administering the tax laws of this
  582  state, partners in a domestic partnership, surviving partners of
  583  a domestic partnership, and the children of partners in a
  584  domestic partnership have the same privileges, immunities,
  585  rights, benefits, and responsibilities as are granted to or
  586  imposed on spouses in a marriage, surviving spouses, and their
  587  children.
  588         (6) Many of the laws of this state are intertwined with
  589  federal law, and the Legislature recognizes that it does not
  590  have the jurisdiction to control or implement federal laws or
  591  the privileges, immunities, rights, benefits, and
  592  responsibilities related to federal laws.
  593         (7) Sections 741.502-741.511 do not require or permit the
  594  extension of any benefit under any retirement, deferred
  595  compensation, or other employee benefit plan, if the plan
  596  administrator reasonably concludes that the extension of
  597  benefits would conflict with a condition for the tax
  598  qualification of the plan, or a condition for other favorable
  599  tax treatment of the plan, under the Internal Revenue Code or
  600  adopted regulations.
  601         (8) Sections 741.502-741.511 do not require the extension
  602  of any benefit under any employee benefit plan that is subject
  603  to federal regulation under the Employee Retirement Income
  604  Security Act of 1974.
  605         Section 21. Section 741.508, Florida Statutes, is created
  606  to read:
  607         741.508 Domestic partnerships prohibited and void.—
  608         (1) The following domestic partnerships are prohibited and
  609  void if:
  610         (a) Either party to the domestic partnership currently has
  611  a different partner, or a wife or husband recognized by this
  612  state, living at the time of entering into the domestic
  613  partnership.
  614         (b) The parties to the domestic partnership are related by
  615  lineal consanguinity or are siblings, or if one party is the
  616  niece or nephew of the other party.
  617         (c) Either party to a domestic partnership is incapable of
  618  making the civil contract or consenting to the contract for want
  619  of legal age or sufficient understanding.
  620         (2) If the consent of either party is obtained by force or
  621  fraud, the domestic partnership is void from the time it is so
  622  declared by a judgment of a court having jurisdiction of the
  623  domestic partnership.
  624         (3) An individual who has filed a Declaration of Domestic
  625  Partnership form may not file a new Declaration of Domestic
  626  Partnership form or enter a marriage recognized in this state
  627  with someone other than the individual’s registered partner
  628  unless a judgment of dissolution or annulment of the most recent
  629  domestic partnership has been entered. This prohibition does not
  630  apply if the previous domestic partnership ended because one of
  631  the partners died.
  632         Section 22. Section 741.509, Florida Statutes, is created
  633  to read:
  634         741.509Fees.—
  635         (1) The clerk of the circuit court shall collect and
  636  receive a fee of $2 for receiving a Declaration of Domestic
  637  Partnership form completed in accordance with s. 741.505. In
  638  addition:
  639         (a) A fee of $25 shall be collected and deposited in the
  640  Domestic Violence Trust Fund for the purposes provided in s.
  641  741.01(2).
  642         (b) A fee of $7.50 shall be collected for deposit in the
  643  Displaced Homemaker Trust Fund created in s. 446.50.
  644         (c) A fee of $25 shall be collected and remitted to the
  645  Department of Revenue for deposit, monthly, into the General
  646  Revenue Fund.
  647         (d) A fee of $4 shall be collected and distributed as
  648  provided in s. 382.022.
  649         (2) An applicant for a Certificate of Registered Domestic
  650  Partnership who is unable to pay the fees required under
  651  subsection (1) in a lump sum may make payment in not more than
  652  three installments over a period of 90 days. The clerk shall
  653  accept installment payments upon receipt of an affidavit that
  654  the applicant is unable to pay the fees in a lump-sum payment.
  655  Upon receipt of the third or final installment payment, the
  656  Declaration of Domestic Partnership shall be deemed filed, and
  657  the clerk shall issue the Certificate of Registered Domestic
  658  Partnership and distribute the fees as appropriate. If the fee
  659  is paid in installments, the clerk shall retain $1 from the
  660  additional fee imposed pursuant to paragraph (1)(c) as a
  661  processing fee.
  662         Section 23. Section 741.510, Florida Statutes, is created
  663  to read:
  664         741.510 Proof domestic partnership where certificate is not
  665  available.—If a Declaration of Domestic Partnership has been
  666  received in accordance with s. 741.505 and the clerk has not
  667  registered such declaration as required by that section, if a
  668  Certificate of Registered Domestic Partnership has been lost, or
  669  if by reason of death or other cause the certificate cannot be
  670  obtained, the domestic partnership may be proved by affidavit
  671  before any officer authorized to administer oaths made by two
  672  competent witnesses who were present and saw the Declaration of
  673  Domestic Partnership executed under s. 741.505, which affidavit
  674  may be filed and recorded in the office of clerk of the circuit
  675  in which the Declaration of Domestic Partnership was registered,
  676  with the same force and effect as if the proper certificate has
  677  been made, returned, and recorded.
  678         Section 24. Section 741.511, Florida Statutes, is created
  679  to read:
  680         741.511 Termination of partnership.—
  681         (1)(a) A party to a state-registered domestic partnership
  682  may terminate the relationship by filing a notice of termination
  683  of the state-registered domestic partnership with the department
  684  and paying the filing fee established under subsection (5). The
  685  notice must be signed by one or both parties and notarized. If
  686  the notice is not signed by both parties, the party seeking
  687  termination must also file with the department an affidavit
  688  stating either that the other party has been served in writing
  689  in the manner prescribed for the service of summons in a civil
  690  action, that a notice of termination is being filed, or that the
  691  party seeking termination has not been able to find the other
  692  party after reasonable effort and that notice has been made by
  693  publication pursuant to paragraph (b).
  694         (b) When the other party cannot be found after reasonable
  695  effort, the party seeking termination may provide notice by
  696  publication as provided in chapter 50 in the county in which the
  697  residence most recently shared by the domestic partners is
  698  located. Notice must be published at least once.
  699         (2) The state-registered domestic partnership shall be
  700  terminated effective 90 days after the date of filing the notice
  701  of termination and payment of the filing fee.
  702         (3) Upon receipt of a signed, notarized notice of
  703  termination, affidavit, if required, and the filing fee, the
  704  department shall register the notice of termination and provide
  705  a certificate of termination of the state-registered domestic
  706  partnership to each party named on the notice. The department
  707  shall maintain a record of each notice of termination filed with
  708  it and each certificate of termination issued by it. The
  709  department shall maintain records of terminations of state
  710  registered domestic partnerships, except for those state
  711  registered domestic partnerships terminated under subsection
  712  (4).
  713         (4) A state-registered domestic partnership is
  714  automatically terminated if, subsequent to the registration of
  715  the domestic partnership with the department, either party or
  716  both parties enter into a marriage that is recognized as valid
  717  in this state, either with each other or with another person.
  718         (5) The department shall collect a reasonable fee for
  719  filing the declaration set by rule calculated to cover the
  720  department’s costs, but not to exceed $50. Fees collected under
  721  this section shall be deposited into the department’s
  722  Administrative Trust Fund.
  723         Section 25. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
  724  made by this act to section 741.28, Florida Statutes, in a
  725  reference thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
  726  921.0024, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  727         921.0024 Criminal Punishment Code; worksheet computations;
  728  scoresheets.—
  729         (1)
  730                         (b) WORKSHEET KEY:                        
  731  
  732  Legal status points are assessed when any form of legal status
  733  existed at the time the offender committed an offense before the
  734  court for sentencing. Four (4) sentence points are assessed for
  735  an offender’s legal status.
  736  
  737  Community sanction violation points are assessed when a
  738  community sanction violation is before the court for sentencing.
  739  Six (6) sentence points are assessed for each community sanction
  740  violation and each successive community sanction violation,
  741  unless any of the following apply:
  742         1. If the community sanction violation includes a new
  743  felony conviction before the sentencing court, twelve (12)
  744  community sanction violation points are assessed for the
  745  violation, and for each successive community sanction violation
  746  involving a new felony conviction.
  747         2. If the community sanction violation is committed by a
  748  violent felony offender of special concern as defined in s.
  749  948.06:
  750         a. Twelve (12) community sanction violation points are
  751  assessed for the violation and for each successive violation of
  752  felony probation or community control where:
  753         (I) The violation does not include a new felony conviction;
  754  and
  755         (II) The community sanction violation is not based solely
  756  on the probationer or offender’s failure to pay costs or fines
  757  or make restitution payments.
  758         b. Twenty-four (24) community sanction violation points are
  759  assessed for the violation and for each successive violation of
  760  felony probation or community control where the violation
  761  includes a new felony conviction.
  762  
  763  Multiple counts of community sanction violations before the
  764  sentencing court shall not be a basis for multiplying the
  765  assessment of community sanction violation points.
  766  
  767  Prior serious felony points: If the offender has a primary
  768  offense or any additional offense ranked in level 8, level 9, or
  769  level 10, and one or more prior serious felonies, a single
  770  assessment of thirty (30) points shall be added. For purposes of
  771  this section, a prior serious felony is an offense in the
  772  offender’s prior record that is ranked in level 8, level 9, or
  773  level 10 under s. 921.0022 or s. 921.0023 and for which the
  774  offender is serving a sentence of confinement, supervision, or
  775  other sanction or for which the offender’s date of release from
  776  confinement, supervision, or other sanction, whichever is later,
  777  is within 3 years before the date the primary offense or any
  778  additional offense was committed.
  779  
  780  Prior capital felony points: If the offender has one or more
  781  prior capital felonies in the offender’s criminal record, points
  782  shall be added to the subtotal sentence points of the offender
  783  equal to twice the number of points the offender receives for
  784  the primary offense and any additional offense. A prior capital
  785  felony in the offender’s criminal record is a previous capital
  786  felony offense for which the offender has entered a plea of nolo
  787  contendere or guilty or has been found guilty; or a felony in
  788  another jurisdiction which is a capital felony in that
  789  jurisdiction, or would be a capital felony if the offense were
  790  committed in this state.
  791  
  792  Possession of a firearm, semiautomatic firearm, or machine gun:
  793  If the offender is convicted of committing or attempting to
  794  commit any felony other than those enumerated in s. 775.087(2)
  795  while having in his or her possession: a firearm as defined in
  796  s. 790.001(6), an additional eighteen (18) sentence points are
  797  assessed; or if the offender is convicted of committing or
  798  attempting to commit any felony other than those enumerated in
  799  s. 775.087(3) while having in his or her possession a
  800  semiautomatic firearm as defined in s. 775.087(3) or a machine
  801  gun as defined in s. 790.001(9), an additional twenty-five (25)
  802  sentence points are assessed.
  803  
  804  Sentencing multipliers:
  805  
  806  Drug trafficking: If the primary offense is drug trafficking
  807  under s. 893.135, the subtotal sentence points are multiplied,
  808  at the discretion of the court, for a level 7 or level 8
  809  offense, by 1.5. The state attorney may move the sentencing
  810  court to reduce or suspend the sentence of a person convicted of
  811  a level 7 or level 8 offense, if the offender provides
  812  substantial assistance as described in s. 893.135(4).
  813  
  814  Law enforcement protection: If the primary offense is a
  815  violation of the Law Enforcement Protection Act under s.
  816  775.0823(2), (3), or (4), the subtotal sentence points are
  817  multiplied by 2.5. If the primary offense is a violation of s.
  818  775.0823(5), (6), (7), (8), or (9), the subtotal sentence points
  819  are multiplied by 2.0. If the primary offense is a violation of
  820  s. 784.07(3) or s. 775.0875(1), or of the Law Enforcement
  821  Protection Act under s. 775.0823(10) or (11), the subtotal
  822  sentence points are multiplied by 1.5.
  823  
  824  Grand theft of a motor vehicle: If the primary offense is grand
  825  theft of the third degree involving a motor vehicle and in the
  826  offender’s prior record, there are three or more grand thefts of
  827  the third degree involving a motor vehicle, the subtotal
  828  sentence points are multiplied by 1.5.
  829  
  830  Offense related to a criminal gang: If the offender is convicted
  831  of the primary offense and committed that offense for the
  832  purpose of benefiting, promoting, or furthering the interests of
  833  a criminal gang as prohibited under s. 874.04, the subtotal
  834  sentence points are multiplied by 1.5.
  835  
  836  Domestic violence in the presence of a child: If the offender is
  837  convicted of the primary offense and the primary offense is a
  838  crime of domestic violence, as defined in s. 741.28, which was
  839  committed in the presence of a child under 16 years of age who
  840  is a family or household member as defined in s. 741.28(3) with
  841  the victim or perpetrator, the subtotal sentence points are
  842  multiplied by 1.5.
  843         Section 26. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
  844  made by this act to section 741.28, Florida Statutes, in a
  845  reference thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
  846  943.171, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  847         943.171 Basic skills training in handling domestic violence
  848  cases.—
  849         (2) As used in this section, the term:
  850         (b) “Household member” has the meaning set forth in s.
  851  741.28(3).
  852         Section 27. This act shall take effect July 1, 2013.
  853