DeSantis Signs HAVEN Act, Giving Treasure Coast Abuse Victims New Protections

For a victim of dating violence on the Treasure Coast, calling 911 while a partner stands in the next room has never been a safe option. Starting July 1, Florida law will begin to close that gap.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Helping Abuse Victims Escape Now Act — the HAVEN Act — on Friday, extending domestic violence protections to dating violence and stalking victims statewide and directing the state to study a discreet smartphone-based alert system that could summon police without a voice call. The law takes effect July 1.

The Martin County Sheriff's Office and Treasure Coast domestic violence service providers should begin updating intake procedures and client eligibility screenings immediately, as the new definitions and program access changes carry legal weight from the first day of the new fiscal year.

The practical changes are significant for Treasure Coast residents. Dating violence victims — previously excluded from key statutory protections — will now qualify for Florida's Address Confidentiality Program, which shields a survivor's home address, phone number and other identifying information from public records. The program has long been a critical safety tool for domestic violence victims fleeing abusers who might otherwise locate them through court filings, voter registration rolls or property records.

A companion measure, SB 298, passed the Legislature without opposition and would extend those public records exemptions retroactively, shielding dating violence victims' names, addresses, Social Security numbers and voter registration data until 2031. As of Friday, the bill had not received the governor's signature.

The legislation also directs the state to study the feasibility of a web-based silent alert system using a smartphone's Wi-Fi and GPS that would allow a victim to trigger a police response via an individualized phone number, bypassing the standard 911 system. Florida would be the first state in the nation to implement such a system, according to public records from the Senate debate.

SB 296 was authored by Gainesville domestic violence survivor and advocate Amy Trask. "I wrote the HAVEN Act because I survived the gaps it closes," Trask said. "This bill is not about politics. It's about safety, dignity and accountability."

The Legislature passed the bill unanimously. Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman carried it in the Senate, while Republican Reps. Peggy Gossett-Seidman and Rachel Plakon sponsored the House companion. "The most dangerous moment is often when they try to ask for help," Plakon said. "Seconds matter, and silence can be deadly."

Florida recorded nearly 107,000 domestic violence reports last year, the Department of Children and Families reports. The Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness estimates that 75% of domestic violence-related homicides occur following separation — meaning victims face the greatest danger precisely when they try to leave.

A related measure, HB 277 — also awaiting the governor's signature — would increase penalties for repeat offenders, raise the state's victim-relocation allowance, allow threats against pets to be included in protective injunctions and create a Pinellas County electronic monitoring pilot program.

What Treasure Coast residents should do now: Victims of dating violence or stalking who were previously told they did not qualify for Florida's Address Confidentiality Program should contact a local certified domestic violence center — such as SafeSpace in Martin County or Harbor Branch Humanitarian Center in St. Lucie County — on or after July 1 to determine their new eligibility. Advocates can help with enrollment paperwork at no cost. Residents who believe they are in immediate danger should still call 911.

The Address Confidentiality Program's expanded protections take effect July 1 pending any further legislative action. The status of SB 298 and HB 277 — both pending the governor's signature — will determine the full scope of protections available to Treasure Coast residents this summer.

--- Status: Confirmed signed: SB 296 (HAVEN Act), effective July 1. Pending governor's signature: SB 298 (public records exemptions), HB 277 (penalty enhancements). Treasure Coast agency response: not yet confirmed — follow-up calls placed to Martin County Sheriff's Office and SafeSpace of Martin County.

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