CS/SB 1312--Sexual battery.

The bill creates a new section, [section]794.052, F.S., that will be similar to the current statute requiring domestic violence victims to be advised about services available to them through the domestic violence centers. The bill requires the investigating law enforcement officer to immediately notify sexual battery victims of their legal rights and remedies; assist them in obtaining any necessary medical treatment resulting from the alleged incident, a forensic examination, and crisis-intervention services from a certified rape crisis center; and advise sexual battery victims that they can contact a certified rape crisis center about services. Additionally, the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, in conjunction with the FDLE, must develop a standardized notice of available rights and remedies that will be distributed statewide to all law enforcement agencies to be used for sexual battery victims. The notice must include the resource listing and telephone number for the local certified rape crisis centers as designated by the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence. Approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2009. Ch.09-184 L.O.F.