Florida State Senator Lauren Book has been on a mission, and that is to empower survivors of domestic violence.
Beginning October 1 – the first day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month – domestic violence survivors in the state will have access to a vital new resource thanks to the implementation of the “HOPE Card” program—legislation spearheaded by Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book.
SB86/HB45 is groundbreaking legislation, which passed with bipartisan support. The bill is designed to help survivors with a durable, wallet-sized laminated card that streamlines access to critical protective order information, fostering greater safety and security.
The “HOPE Card,” is issued by the Office of the State Courts Administrator and it includes detailed information about both the respondent and petitioner, ensuring that law enforcement officers and survivors alike have swift access to protective order details. This simple yet powerful tool aims to simplify enforcement and provide survivors with a sense of security and ease during potentially dangerous encounters.
“As a longtime advocate for survivors of domestic violence, I am incredibly proud to see this legislation go into effect,” said Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book. “The HOPE Card program is more than a resource—it’s a tangible lifeline that will help survivors navigate the complexities of protective orders and ensure their safety is prioritized while also helping law enforcement better respond in moments of crisis.”
The Senator says with October marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the implementation of the HOPE Card program couldn’t come at a more significant time. “The legislation builds on successful models from other states, allowing Florida survivors to carry a concise, accessible document with vital details to ensure quicker law enforcement responses and more effective protection,” she said.
For example, a HOPE Card could be useful in instances where a survivor needs to quickly prove the existence of a protective order to law enforcement during an emergency situation, encounters the respondent in a public place and requires immediate demonstration of the order’s validity, or is attempting to enroll children in a new school and must show custody arrangements outlined in the protective order. Additionally, the card can serve as evidence of a protective order for workplace security purposes or when seeking housing and needing to demonstrate protected status to a landlord or property manager.
This program is the latest in a series of legislative victories for Senator Book, who has successfully championed more than two dozen laws aimed at protecting children and supporting victims of abuse, exploitation, and domestic violence.
