Several new Florida laws aimed at strengthening the state’s response to domestic violence and dating violence took effect Wednesday, including tougher penalties for repeat offenders.

The changes come right after as investigators in Jacksonville responded to a Northside shooting that police say stemmed from a domestic dispute and left a 4-year-old girl dead and her 2-year-old sister and their mother in life-threatening condition.

The new laws also arrive months after a high-profile domestic violence case in Bradford County. Deputies said a mother, Rachael Kerr, was killed in an apparent murder-suicide on Jan. 29 after her estranged husband shot her. Investigators said their two children were inside the home at the time.

Below is a breakdown of what’s changing under the new laws.

Tougher penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders (HB 277)

One of the biggest changes is a new penalty enhancement for people who commit a domestic violence crime and already have a prior domestic violence conviction.

Under HB 277, the penalty level for a new domestic violence offense can be reclassified upward if the person has a prior conviction for domestic violence.

Here’s the breakdown in the new law:

• A second-degree misdemeanor can be reclassified to a first-degree misdemeanor

• A first-degree misdemeanor can be reclassified to a third-degree felony

• A third-degree felony can be reclassified to a second-degree felony

• A second-degree felony can be reclassified to a first-degree felony

• A first-degree felony can be reclassified to a life felony

Electronic monitoring pilot programs for certain domestic violence and injunction cases (HB 277)

HB 277 also creates new electronic monitoring pilot programs that can apply in certain cases involving domestic violence crimes and violations of protective injunctions when a court has issued a no-contact order as a condition of probation.

The law creates:

• A misdemeanor-level pilot program in Pinellas County (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028)

• A felony-level pilot program in Florida’s Sixth Judicial Circuit (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028)

In those pilot areas, the law allows a judge to order electronic monitoring as a condition of probation. It also requires monitoring in certain situations if a judge finds clear and convincing evidence the defendant poses a threat of violence or physical harm to the victim.

The law also requires evaluations and reports to the Legislature on how the pilot programs are working.

Expanded address confidentiality protections for dating violence victims (SB 296)

Another new law, SB 296, expands Florida’s Address Confidentiality Program to include victims of dating violence, not just domestic violence.

The Address Confidentiality Program is designed to help victims keep their residential, work or school addresses from being publicly disclosed through records requests.

SB 296 also defines “dating violence” in state law for purposes of the program, describing a range of violent acts or threats committed by someone in a continuing and significant romantic or intimate relationship with the victim.

New 911 alert system feasibility study (SB 296)

SB 296 also directs the state to explore the creation of a web-based 911 alert system for victims of domestic violence and dating violence.

The law says the study should look at whether an alert system could do things like:

• Create a unique telephone number for each user that connects to a public safety answering point (PSAP)

• Allow a user to enter a code or phrase after contacting 911 to indicate they need immediate law enforcement help

• Support real-time data sharing between 911 centers and law enforcement agencies

The Division of Telecommunications within the Department of Management Services must report the results of that study to the Legislature by Jan. 31, 2027, according to the law.

Help is available

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.

Resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence — help is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.

Additionally, there are a number of resources in the Jacksonville area that provide help for victims of domestic violence.

Hubbard House

The Hubbard House has a hotline open 24/7 with operators who will talk confidentially to anyone experiencing domestic violence or questioning aspects of their relationship.

Operators can be contacted at 904-354-3114.

Victim services

The City of Jacksonville’s Social Services Division provides referral and victim advocacy services to victims of crime. Services are intended to help reduce trauma associated with domestic violence crimes.

Calls made to 904-630-6300 are all confidential.

InVEST (Intimate Violence Enhanced Services Team)

InVEST is a program aimed at increasing victim safety in the most potentially lethal cases. It’s a joint effort by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, City of Jacksonville, and Hubbard House.

On a daily basis, InVEST staff review police reports and assess cases for lethal indicators. They then contact the victim to offer services.

For further information, please call (904) 255-3388.

Trinity Rescue Mission

Trinity Rescue Mission offers services to women who are trying to escape from dangerous circumstances and situations. It’s not a certified shelter, but it will provide assistance.

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Officials in Georgia launched a new program that will allow survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, human trafficking, stalking and other similar crimes to shield their addresses on public records.

Georgia’s Safe at Home Program will give qualified residents a substitute address for use on most state and local public records, a spokesperson from the Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s Office reported.

The goal of the program is to prevent abusers from locating survivors through public information, the press release said.

“Every Georgian deserves to feel safe in their own home,” Raffensperger said. “For far too many survivors, something as simple as a home address can become a tool for those who seek to harm them.”

The program will also provide mail forwarding and protected voter registration.

“This program is about more than protecting an address. It’s about protecting people,” Raffensperger said. “Survivors should be able to build a new life without constantly worrying that the person who harmed them can find them through a public record.”

The Safe at Home Program was established by Senate Bill 324, which passed the Georgia General Assembly in 2024, and officially started Wednesday.

Advocates called the bill a historic milestone for survivors across the Peach State.

“This program recognizes that every survivor deserves the opportunity to rebuild their lives without fear of being found by the person who harmed them,” said Karimah Dillard, Director of Policy for Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “The Address Confidentiality Program is a lifesaving investment in survivor safety, dignity, and independence.”

To learn more about the program, click or tap here.

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

The University of Kentucky has added three more international swimmers to its 2026 women’s recruiting class: Valeria Tarin of Mexico, Gabrielle Idle-Beavers of England and Yasmin Silva of Peru.

Tarin currently trains with Desert Dragons in Chihuahua, where she excels at the shorter distances of free, back and fly. She competed at the 2025 World Junior Championships (LCM), racing the 50 free (26.80), 50 back (31.12) and 100 back (1:07.62). A four-time junior national champion, Tarin has also qualified for the Pan Pacific Junior Championships and was a top three finisher in multiple events at the Mexican National Championships.

Tarin posted a series of strong performances at the 2026 Arena Elite Championships (LCM) in April, logging lifetime bests in three events. She won the 100 back (1:05.33 – PB) and 50 fly (28.77 – SB) and placed 3rd in the 50 free (26.37 – PB), 6th in the 100 free (57.85 – PB) and 10th in the 50 back (30.97 – SB).

Best Times LCM (SCY Conversion)

• 50 free – 26.37 (23.03)
• 100 free – 57.85 (50.67)
• 100 back – 1:05.33 (57.77)
• 50 fly – 28.30 (24.86)

Idle-Beavers will head to Kentucky from England, where she represents Mount Kelly Swimming and primarily specializes in breast and IM. She most recently competed at the AP Race International Meet (LCM) in April, which saw her contest the 50 breast (31.84) and 100 breast (1:08.69 – PB).

At the 2026 Sheffield Premier Open Meet (LCM) in March, Idle-Beavers clocked a handful of personal best performances. She raced the 50 free (26.49 – PB), 100 free (58.05), 50 back (30.89 – PB), 50 breast (31.60 – PB), 100 breast (1:09.67) and 200 IM (2:22.21). Earlier in the season, she set a personal best time of 2:20.72 in the 200 IM at the Arena Lisbon International Meeting.

Best Times LCM (SCY Conversion)

• 50 breast – 31.60 (27.56)
• 100 breast – 1:08.69 (1:00.08)
• 200 IM – 2:20.72 (2:03.89)

Another 2025 World Junior Championships qualifier, Silva represents the Peruvian Swimming Federation and swims for Streamline Club in Trujillo, primarily specializing in fly and IM. She recently competed in the 2026 Mare Nostrum Swim Tour (LCM), which was highlighted by a lifetime best performance in the 200 fly (2:11.86) at the stop in Canet-en-Roussillon.

At the 2025 National Senior Championship (LCM) in December, Silva posted a series of strong performances. She won the 100 fly (1:03.26), 200 fly (2:20.15) and 400 IM (5:09.51 – SB) and took 2nd in the 400 free (4:38.04 – PB) and 200 back (2:30.50), 3rd in the 50 fly (28.73) and 200 IM (2:30.79), 4th in the 800 free (9:35.58 – PB) and 1500 free (18:21.92 – PB) and 5th in the 100 back (1:10.92). She also set a best time of 1:02.79 in the 100 free as the leadoff on the 400 free relay.

Best Times LCM (SCY Conversion)

• 100 fly – 1:01.47 (54.11)
• 200 fly – 2:11.86 (1:56.27)
• 200 IM – 2:26.47 (2:09.07)
• 400 IM – 5:03.97 (4:28.08)

A Division I program, Kentucky competes in the Southeastern Conference, with the women’s team finishing 12th at the 2026 SEC Championships in February. Three athletes went on to compete at the NCAA Division I Women’s Championships, but they did not score any points in the team standings.

The three international recruits will bring added depth to the Wildcats across the board, and are currently poised to be some of the team’s top competitors in their top events based on their projected converted times.

Tarin, Idle-Beavers and Silva will join Allie Joyce, Quinn Schureck and Karrington Hansen in Kentucky’s class of 2030.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].

About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour 

Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.

FFT SOCIAL

Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour
Facebook – @fitterandfastertour
Twitter – @fitterandfaster

^{FFT is a SwimSwam partner.}