Florida ‘Gabby Petito Act’ aims to protect victims of domestic violence

WESTON, Fla. – Florida Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book, D-Davie, and Rep. Robin Bartleman, D-Weston, filed legislation Wednesday to strengthen domestic violence prevention across the state.

“Domestic violence is a horrific crime hiding in plain sight, affecting 20 people in the United States every single minute of every single day – all too often, with deadly consequences,” Book said in a release. “Each one of us knows victims and perpetrators of domestic violence, even if we do not realize it.”

The two lawmakers filed identical bills in their respective chambers.

Referred to as the “Gabby Petito Act,” the legislation would require law enforcement to conduct a lethality assessment on alleged domestic violence survivors as part of an investigation.

Approved by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women, the assessment is made to evaluate for serious injury or death.

During a cross-country van trip, Petito was found strangled to death in Wyoming. Her fiance, Brian Laundrie, reportedly confessed to killing Petito in a notebook letter found near his body in a Florida reserve. His death was ruled a suicide through a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Started by her father, Joe Petito, SB 610/HB 573 honors Gabby Petito’s life through domestic violence prevention.

“That’s why we are working to honor Gabby Petito’s life through meaningful action, protecting the lives of other victims and survivors before it’s too late, so that we can keep people safe in ways Gabby was not,” Book said. “It is absolutely possible, and it begins with the Gabby Petito Act.”

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement would be instructed to work with the Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Police Chiefs Association and domestic violence advocacy organizations to implement lethality assessments.

Moreover, policies, procedures and training programs would develop through the collaboration.

Nearly 107,000 domestic violence cases occurred in Florida in 2020, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. There also were 198 domestic violence homicides and 19 domestic violence manslaughter offenses documented.

“As a mother of a daughter the same age as Gabby, the sheer horror of her disappearance and the heartbreaking revelation that her murder was a result of domestic violence left me in tears,” Bartleman said.

The department also reported nearly 198 domestic violence homicides and 19 domestic violence manslaughter offenses.

“Thousands of domestic violence cases go unreported each year as many victims are paralyzed with fear, so it is imperative that when 911 calls and reports are made that we give law enforcement officers the tools needed to protect victims like Gabby,” Bartleman said. “This legislation is a lifeline for those in peril.”

If passed, the law would take effect July 1, 2024.