Tallahassee, Florida, USA, in the old and new Capitol.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Cassie Carli Act on Thursday to establish safe, supervised locations for child exchanges between separated parents.
Governor. Ron DeSantis signed the law known as the “Cassie-Carli Act” on Thursday, which introduces measures to increase safety during child transfers between separated parents.
The bill requires every county sheriff in Florida to designate at least one neutral safe exchange location equipped with certain security safeguards, including a purple light or sign, 24-hour access, adequate lighting and continuous video surveillance, with surveillance system recordings retained for at least 45 days.
The bill also amends several sections of Florida statutes governing matrimonial and family law to allow courts to order child surrenders to take place in these neutral locations when there is a risk or imminent threat to a parent or the child. This provision can be used in both temporary and permanent restraining orders related to domestic violence.
The law also provides legal protection to sheriff's offices and law enforcement officers and exempts them from civil liability for incidents arising from meetings at these designated exchange sites.
The bill is supported by the Committee on Justice, the Subcommittee on Civil Law and the Member of Parliament. Joel Rudmanwas passed unanimously by the House of Representatives on January 18, 2024 and by the Senate on February 21, 2024. The law will come into force on July 1, 2024. The reason for the legislation was the case of Cassie Carlia mother from Navarre, Florida, who disappeared after a custody exchange with her ex-boyfriend and was later found murdered.
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