A new law goes into effect in Florida on Monday that creates special areas in sheriff's offices for the safe exchange of children between separated parents with shared custody.
Purple signs at sheriff's offices across the Sunshine State designate child exchange zones where parents can drop off their children without fear of harm to them or their children. The color purple represents domestic violence awareness.
A purple light or sign will be placed in the designated parking lot, which will be accessible throughout the day, marking the area where parents can drop off their children according to their custody agreement while officers watch via camera.
HB 385, titled “Safe Exchange of Minor Children,” requires adequate lighting and video surveillance that records continuously 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
CASSIE CARLI: EX-BOYFRIEND OF MURDERED FLORIDA MOTHER EXTRADITED TO ALABAMA FOR BODY ABUSE
A new law goes into effect in Florida on Monday that creates special areas in sheriff's offices where separated parents with shared custody can safely exchange their children. (Indio Police Department)
At least one camera must be directed toward the parking lot and record the area near the purple light or sign during both the day and night, be capable of capturing images that clearly and accurately display the time and date, and be capable of retaining video surveillance recordings or images for at least 45 days.
The law was named after Florida mother Cassie Carli, who disappeared in 2022 after meeting her child's father in a restaurant parking lot during a custody exchange. Her body was discovered buried in Alabama weeks later.
The child's father, 35-year-old Marcus Spanevelo, has been charged in connection with her death.
Cause of death of murdered mother Cassie Carli from Florida, manner of death classified as “unexplained” six months later
Cassie Carli (left) disappeared in 2022 after meeting the father of her child, Marcus Spanevelo (right), in a restaurant parking lot during a custody exchange before her body was discovered buried in Alabama weeks later. (Photo courtesy of the Carli family; Santa Rosa County Sheriff)
The law also requires parents who share custody of their children to create a court-approved parenting plan detailing how they will divide the day-to-day responsibilities of raising the child.
The plan must include time-sharing provisions that determine how much time the child spends with each parent, as well as which parent is responsible for the child's health care, education, and other activities.
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HB 385 was signed into law last month by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.
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