Public Records/Lethality Assessment Forms

More privacy for domestic violence victims

Effective upon becoming law, Florida makes lethality assessment forms containing a victim’s information and answers confidential and exempt from public disclosure. This covers forms completed before, on, or after January 1, 2025. Domestic violence centers may receive forms but must keep the forms and their information confidential. The State Attorney’s Office may receive forms and release information for official duties and to pending criminal case parties as required by law. The privacy exemption ends October 2, 2030, unless the Legislature reviews and reenacts it. The law also requires statewide policies, procedures, and training for an evidence-based assessment of domestic violence danger. The department must consult child welfare officials, law enforcement groups, the Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence, and at least two advocacy organizations. It must set criteria for identifying intimate partners, establish referrals to certified domestic violence centers, and review assessment questions. If questions are removed, the department must confirm that the remaining or changed questions still form an evidence-based assessment. The law required adoption of the statewide assessment and form by January 1, 2025, with training available online. It also required a report to legislative leaders by January 31, 2025, covering results and recommended legal changes needed for implementation.