Gabby Petito Act passed in Florida
The Gabby Petito Act is a Florida law that requires law enforcement to assess the risk of domestic violence victims. The law was passed in 2024 and signed into law. It's intended to protect victims of domestic violence.
How does the law work?
When responding to a domestic violence call, law enforcement must ask a series of 12 questions to assess the victim's risk
The questions include whether the aggressor has threatened or used violence against the victim
The assessment helps law enforcement determine if the victim is at risk of being killed or seriously injured
Based on the assessment, law enforcement can connect victims with resources like counseling, legal services, or a shelter
Why was the law passed?
The law was passed in memory of Gabby Petito, who was killed by her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, while they were on a cross-country trip in 2021. Petito's mother said that if law enforcement had used a lethality assessment, her daughter would still be alive.
Other states have similar laws:
The parents of Gabby Petito advocate to help pass similar law in Utah requiring lethality assessments for domestic violence victims.
