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State Senator Mike Fasano has announced
that Governor Charlie Crist signed two key victims protection bills
into law the first week in July. Fasano sponsored the legislation
during the recently ended session of the Florida Legislature.
SB 994/HB 489 allows victims of sexual
violence to take up to three days of leave (which can be paid or
unpaid at the discretion of the employer) to deal with issues
arising from the crime. This bill applies to victims working for
employers with 50 or more employees. Victims may need to take leave
to:
· Seek an injunction for
protection.
· Obtain medical care or mental
health counseling.
· Obtain services from a rape
crisis center or other victim service organization.
· Make their home secure.
· Seek legal assistance for issues
arising from the sexual violence.
"Victims of sexual violence deserve as
much help as they may need to deal with the often life changing
issues that can occur following an attack," Senator Fasano states.
"This legislation will go a long way towards helping victims begin
to put their lives back together."
Additionally the governor signed a related
bill, SB 2574/ HB 141, that will allow a public records exemption
for personal identifying information of a victim of sexual
violence. Without the exemption from Florida's public records law
the information submitted to a public agency by an agency employee
seeking leave related to the violence would be available for public
review.
"Without the exemption from public records
law the disclosure of the information could expose a victim of
sexual violence to humiliation, thus deterring them from seeking
the help the new law will provide," Senator Fasano states.
"Additionally, public review of the information would enable the
perpetrator of the sexual violence to determine the victim's
schedule and location which could lead to further violence and
jeopardy for the victim."
Both bills became law immediately upon the
governor's action.
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