DeSantis signs law approving ‘Hope Cards’ for victims of domestic violence

States across the country have been creating and issuing “Hope Cards” for victims of domestic violence, and now, Florida will be doing the same.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation last week, effective Oct. 1.

The measure “requires clerks of the circuit court, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, to develop and implement the Hope Card Program which provides for the issuance of a Hope Card to any person who has been issued an order of protection by a county or circuit court in this state.”

Such wallet-sized cards are expected to facilitate law enforcement’s response to a violation of the order.

According to the legislation, a Hope Card issued under the program may be digital or a durable, wallet-sized card and must contain all of the following information: The respondent’s name and date of birth; The name and date of birth of the petitioner or protected person; Information regarding the issuing court; The case number; The date the order of protection was issued; and the expiration date, if any, of the order of protection; The telephone number for the statewide domestic violence hotline; The date of issuance and the expiration date of the Hope Card.

Under the measure (SB 86), the protected person will not be charged the cost of the cards. The measure includes $176,000 to go to the Justice Administrative Commission for distribution to the clerks of the court to implement the act.

“The HOPE Card program represents a vital lifeline for survivors of domestic violence — offering support and enhanced safety measures while survivors navigate the complexities of protective orders,” said Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book in a statement. “Survivors are most in danger immediately after they’ve escaped an abusive partner. In the case of an escalated situation between a survivor and her abuser, these cards will provide law enforcement with the information they need for faster, more compassionate and more effective responses.”

Book sponsored the measure in the Senate. South Florida Democratic Rep. Mike Gottlieb co-sponsored the bill in the House with Tampa Bay Republican Traci Koster.

Gottlieb told the Phoenix last year that he was motivated to do so after meeting with officials in the Broward County State Attorney’s Office, who told him it would give law enforcement “that opportunity to trust this person is telling them the truth,” he said.

Other states that issue or have been considering such legislation include Virginia, Oregon, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Washington state, Idaho, Illinois and Montana.