In a unanimous decision, the Florida legislature has passed a crime bill aimed at protecting children and victims of domestic violence.
The bill, which has received backing from both political parties, the family of murdered travel blogger Gabby Petito, and Governor Ron DeSantis, is now awaiting the governor's signature.
Joe Petito, Gabby's father, expressed his satisfaction with the bill's progress, stating to Fox News Digital, "We are thrilled to see the child welfare and lethality assessment Bill 1224 pass in the state of Florida. It's a significant milestone in the fight against domestic violence." Following Gabby's tragic murder in 2021, her family established the Gabby Petito Foundation, which aims to combat domestic violence and increase awareness of missing person cases.
The Florida bill, known as the Protection of Children and Victims of Crime, seeks to implement a lethality assessment protocol (LAP) in the state. This protocol enables law enforcement to swiftly determine if a domestic violence victim is at immediate risk of severe harm or death. The LAP in Florida comprises 12 questions that police officers are required to ask victims during a domestic violence call.
Gabby Petito's murder, which occurred two weeks after a domestic violence incident involving her fianc Brian Laundrie, underscores the need for such a protocol. Despite a witness reporting that Laundrie had physically assaulted Gabby and attempted to leave her behind, police did not arrest him. Instead, they separated the couple for the night. Gabby's parents believe that a LAP evaluation could have potentially saved her life.
The LAP requires officers to ask victims specific questions in a particular order. If the victim answers affirmatively to the first four questions or at least four of the remaining questions, law enforcement must refer them to a certified domestic violence center. Additionally, the officer is required to prepare a written report detailing the LAP results. This bill represents a significant step forward in the fight against domestic violence, providing victims with potentially life-saving resources and support.
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