Bill Summary

by Rayner

Victims of Violence: Creates rebuttable presumption that persons who use force in accordance with specified provisions against known abuser act with reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily harm; specifies when rebuttable presumption applies; requires court to instruct jury regarding existence of rebuttable presumption & shift in burden of proof if rebuttable presumption applies; authorizes court to determine whether defendant has met rebuttable presumption; specifies admissibility of specified evidence at trial; requires FDLE, in consultation with specified persons, to develop, implement, & mandate evidence-based, trauma-informed training program for specified persons; provides training program requirements; requires department to adopt rules & submit annual reports beginning on specified date; requires Florida Commission on Offender Review to establish Survivor Self-Defense Case Review Panel; requires panel to perform specified tasks; requires commission to adopt rules & submit annual reports beginning on specified date. Effective Date: July 1, 2026

Committee references not assigned.