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CS/CS/CS/SB 86 — Hope Cards for Persons Issued Orders of Protection
by Fiscal Policy Committee; Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice; Judiciary Committee; and Senators Book, Polsky, and Yarborough
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Judiciary Committee (JU)
The bill requires the clerks of the court to create the Hope Card program for persons issued an injunction for protection against domestic violence; repeat violence, dating violence, and sexual violence; stalking and cyberstalking; or exploitation of a vulnerable adult. Under the program, the Clerks will issue Hope Cards, which identify and describe the person who is restrained by an order of protection, identify those protected by the order, and provide the telephone number for the statewide domestic violence hotline. These cards must be issued on a credit-card sized laminated card or in digital form, without cost to the protected person. Displaying the card is expected to facilitate the law enforcement response to a violation of the order.
The bill also prohibits a person from misusing a Hope Card to wrongfully claim that he or she is protected by an order of protection. A person who misuses a Hope Card in this manner commits a second degree misdemeanor.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect October 1, 2024.
Vote: Senate 35-0; House 113-0