Bill Text: FL S0166 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Domestic Partnerships

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Failed) 2012-03-09 - Died in Children, Families, and Elder Affairs [S0166 Detail]

Download: Florida-2012-S0166-Introduced.html
       Florida Senate - 2012                                     SB 166
       
       
       
       By Senator Sobel
       
       
       
       
       31-00141-12                                            2012166__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to domestic partnerships; amending ss.
    3         28.101 and 28.24, F.S.; setting forth fees and costs
    4         to be applied when petitioning for a dissolution of a
    5         domestic partnership or registering a domestic
    6         partnership, respectively; amending s. 97.1031, F.S.;
    7         providing notice to the supervisor of elections
    8         concerning a change of name due to participation in a
    9         domestic partnership; amending s. 382.002, F.S.;
   10         defining the term “dissolution of a domestic
   11         partnership” for purposes of vital records; including
   12         domestic partnerships and dissolution of domestic
   13         partnership as vital records in this state; conforming
   14         cross-references; amending s. 382.003, F.S.; requiring
   15         the Department of Health to examine all certificates
   16         of domestic partnership forms and dissolution of
   17         domestic partnership reports sent from the courts;
   18         amending s. 382.0085, F.S.; conforming a cross
   19         reference; amending s. 382.021, F.S.; requiring the
   20         clerk of the circuit court to transmit all original
   21         declarations of domestic partnership to the Department
   22         of Health by a specified date each month; amending s.
   23         382.022, F.S.; requiring the clerk of the circuit
   24         court to collect a fee after registering a domestic
   25         partnership; amending s. 382.023, F.S.; requiring the
   26         clerk of the circuit court to collect a fee upon
   27         filing a final judgment for a dissolution of domestic
   28         partnership; amending s. 382.025, F.S.; authorizing
   29         the Department of Health to issue a certified copy of
   30         certain vital records to a domestic partner; amending
   31         s. 382.0255, F.S.; providing that the Department of
   32         Health is entitled to a specified fee for the issuance
   33         of a commemorative certificate of domestic
   34         partnership; amending s. 446.50, F.S.; requiring that
   35         certain fees relating to declarations of domestic
   36         partnership and dissolution of domestic partnership
   37         filings be deposited in the Displaced Homemaker Trust
   38         Fund; amending s. 741.28, F.S.; redefining the term
   39         “family or household member” in the context of
   40         domestic violence to include a domestic partnership;
   41         creating s. 741.501, F.S.; providing legislative
   42         findings; creating s. 741.502, F.S.; defining terms;
   43         creating s. 741.503, F.S.; requiring the Department of
   44         Health to create and distribute the Declaration of
   45         Domestic Partnership and Certificate of Registered
   46         Domestic Partnership forms to each clerk of the
   47         circuit court; requiring the department and each clerk
   48         of the circuit court to make the Declaration of
   49         Domestic Partnership form available to the public;
   50         creating s. 741.504, F.S.; providing that the circuit
   51         court has jurisdiction over domestic partnership
   52         proceedings; requiring the clerk of the circuit court
   53         to maintain a domestic partnership registry; providing
   54         that the registry is a public record; creating s.
   55         741.505, F.S.; requiring two individuals who wish to
   56         become partners in a domestic partnership to complete
   57         and file a Declaration of Domestic Partnership form
   58         with the clerk of the circuit court; specifying the
   59         required contents of the completed form; providing
   60         that each partner who signs the form consents to the
   61         jurisdiction of the circuit court for certain
   62         purposes; providing that if a person files an
   63         intentionally and materially false form, he or she
   64         commits a misdemeanor of the first degree; providing
   65         criminal penalties; requiring the clerk of the circuit
   66         court to register the Declaration of Domestic
   67         Partnership in a domestic partnership registry and
   68         issue a Certificate of Registered Domestic
   69         Partnership; creating s. 741.506, F.S.; authorizing
   70         the domestic partners to retain surnames; creating s.
   71         741.507, F.S.; providing that any privilege or
   72         responsibility granted or imposed by statute,
   73         administrative or court rule, policy, common law, or
   74         any other law to an individual because the individual
   75         is or was related to another by marriage, or is a
   76         child of either of the spouses, is granted on
   77         equivalent terms to domestic partners or individuals
   78         similarly related to domestic partners; providing that
   79         the act does not require or permit the extension of
   80         any benefit under a retirement, deferred compensation,
   81         or other employee benefit plan, if the plan
   82         administrator reasonably concludes that the extension
   83         of benefits to partners would conflict with a
   84         condition for tax qualification of the plan, or a
   85         condition for other favorable tax treatment of the
   86         plan, under the Internal Revenue Code; creating s.
   87         741.508, F.S.; specifying prohibited or void domestic
   88         partnerships; creating s. 741.509, F.S.; requiring
   89         that the clerk of the circuit court collect certain
   90         fees for receiving a Declaration of Domestic
   91         Partnership; authorizing the clerk of the circuit
   92         court to accept installment payments from individuals
   93         who are unable to pay the fees in a lump sum; creating
   94         s. 741.510, F.S.; providing methods to prove the
   95         existence of a registered Declaration Domestic
   96         Partnership when the certificate document has been
   97         lost or is otherwise unavailable; creating s. 741.511,
   98         F.S.; providing for termination of a domestic
   99         partnership; providing for notice; providing for the
  100         effective date of the termination; providing for
  101         registration of the termination; requiring records of
  102         certain terminations to be maintained; providing for
  103         automatic termination of partnership if either party
  104         enters into a valid marriage; providing for a
  105         reasonable fee for termination; reenacting ss.
  106         921.0024(1)(b) and 943.171(2)(b), F.S., relating to
  107         the worksheet form for the Criminal Punishment Code
  108         and the basic skills training for domestic violence
  109         cases, respectively, to incorporate the amendments
  110         made to s. 741.28, F.S., in references thereto;
  111         providing an effective date.
  112  
  113  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
  114  
  115         Section 1. Section 28.101, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  116  read:
  117         28.101 Petitions and records of dissolution of marriage and
  118  domestic partnership; additional charges.—
  119         (1) When a party petitions for a dissolution of marriage or
  120  dissolution of domestic partnership, in addition to the filing
  121  charges in s. 28.241, the clerk shall collect and receive:
  122         (a) A charge of $5. On a monthly basis, the clerk shall
  123  transfer the moneys collected pursuant to this paragraph to the
  124  Department of Revenue for deposit in the Child Welfare Training
  125  Trust Fund created in s. 402.40.
  126         (b) A charge of $5. On a monthly basis, the clerk shall
  127  transfer the moneys collected pursuant to this paragraph to the
  128  Department of Revenue for deposit in the Displaced Homemaker
  129  Trust Fund created in s. 446.50. If a petitioner does not have
  130  sufficient funds with which to pay this fee and signs an
  131  affidavit so stating, all or a portion of the fee shall be
  132  waived subject to a subsequent order of the court relative to
  133  the payment of the fee.
  134         (c) A charge of $55. On a monthly basis, the clerk shall
  135  transfer the moneys collected pursuant to this paragraph to the
  136  Department of Revenue for deposit in the Domestic Violence Trust
  137  Fund. Such funds which are generated shall be directed to the
  138  Department of Children and Family Services for the specific
  139  purpose of funding domestic violence centers.
  140         (d) A charge of $32.50. On a monthly basis, the clerk shall
  141  transfer the moneys collected pursuant to this paragraph as
  142  follows:
  143         1. An amount of $7.50 to the Department of Revenue for
  144  deposit in the Displaced Homemaker Trust Fund.
  145         2. An amount of $25 to the Department of Revenue for
  146  deposit in the General Revenue Fund.
  147         (2) Upon receipt of a final judgment of dissolution of
  148  marriage or dissolution of domestic partnership for filing, and
  149  in addition to the filing charges in s. 28.241, the clerk may
  150  collect and receive a service charge of up to $10.50 pursuant to
  151  s. 382.023 for the recording and reporting the of such final
  152  judgment of dissolution of marriage to the Department of Health.
  153         Section 2. Subsection (23) of section 28.24, Florida
  154  Statutes, is amended to read:
  155         28.24 Service charges by clerk of the circuit court.—The
  156  clerk of the circuit court shall charge for services rendered by
  157  the clerk’s office in recording documents and instruments and in
  158  performing the duties enumerated in amounts not to exceed those
  159  specified in this section. Notwithstanding any other provision
  160  of this section, the clerk of the circuit court shall provide
  161  without charge to the state attorney, public defender, guardian
  162  ad litem, public guardian, attorney ad litem, criminal conflict
  163  and civil regional counsel, and private court-appointed counsel
  164  paid by the state, and to the authorized staff acting on behalf
  165  of each, access to and a copy of any public record, if the
  166  requesting party is entitled by law to view the exempt or
  167  confidential record, as maintained by and in the custody of the
  168  clerk of the circuit court as provided in general law and the
  169  Florida Rules of Judicial Administration. The clerk of the
  170  circuit court may provide the requested public record in an
  171  electronic format in lieu of a paper format when capable of
  172  being accessed by the requesting entity.
  173         Charges
  174  
  175         (23) Upon receipt of an application for a marriage license
  176  or a declaration of domestic partnership, for preparing and
  177  administering of oath; issuing, sealing, and recording of the
  178  marriage license or registering the domestic partnership; and
  179  providing a certified copy.................................30.00
  180         Section 3. Subsection (2) of section 97.1031, Florida
  181  Statutes, is amended to read:
  182         97.1031 Notice of change of residence, change of name, or
  183  change of party affiliation.—
  184         (2) When an elector seeks to change party affiliation, the
  185  elector shall notify his or her supervisor of elections or other
  186  voter registration official by using a signed written notice
  187  that contains the elector’s date of birth or voter registration
  188  number. When an elector changes his or her name by marriage,
  189  domestic partnership, or other legal process, the elector shall
  190  notify his or her supervisor of elections or other voter
  191  registration official by using a signed written notice that
  192  contains the elector’s date of birth or voter’s registration
  193  number.
  194         Section 4. Present subsections (5) through (16) of section
  195  382.002, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (6)
  196  through (17), respectively, a new subsection (5) is added to
  197  that section, and present subsections (7), (8), and (15) of that
  198  section are amended, to read:
  199         382.002 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, the term:
  200         (5) “Dissolution of domestic partnership” includes an
  201  annulment of domestic partnership.
  202         (8)(7) “Final disposition” means the burial, interment,
  203  cremation, removal from the state, or other authorized
  204  disposition of a dead body or a fetus as described in subsection
  205  (7) (6). In the case of cremation, dispersion of ashes or
  206  cremation residue is considered to occur after final
  207  disposition; the cremation itself is considered final
  208  disposition.
  209         (9)(8) “Funeral director” means a licensed funeral director
  210  or direct disposer licensed pursuant to chapter 497 or other
  211  person who first assumes custody of or effects the final
  212  disposition of a dead body or a fetus as described in subsection
  213  (7) (6).
  214         (16)(15) “Vital records” or “records” means certificates or
  215  reports of birth, death, fetal death, marriage, domestic
  216  partnership, dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership,
  217  name change filed pursuant to s. 68.07, and data related
  218  thereto.
  219         Section 5. Subsection (7) of section 382.003, Florida
  220  Statutes, is amended to read:
  221         382.003 Powers and duties of the department.—The department
  222  shall:
  223         (7) Approve all forms used in registering, recording,
  224  certifying, and preserving vital records, or in otherwise
  225  carrying out the purposes of this chapter, and no other forms
  226  may not shall be used other than those approved by the
  227  department. The department is responsible for the careful
  228  examination of the certificates received monthly from the local
  229  registrars and marriage certificates, certificates of domestic
  230  partnership, and dissolution of marriage and domestic
  231  partnership reports received from the circuit and county courts.
  232  A certificate that is complete and satisfactory shall be
  233  accepted and given a state file number and considered a state
  234  filed record. If any such certificates are incomplete or
  235  unsatisfactory, the department shall require further information
  236  to be supplied as may be necessary to make the record complete
  237  and satisfactory. All physicians, midwives, informants, or
  238  funeral directors, and all other persons having knowledge of the
  239  facts, are required to supply, upon a form approved by the
  240  department or upon the original certificate, such information as
  241  they may possess regarding any vital record.
  242         Section 6. Subsection (9) of section 382.0085, Florida
  243  Statutes, is amended to read:
  244         382.0085 Stillbirth registration.—
  245         (9) This section or s. 382.002(15)(14) may not be used to
  246  establish, bring, or support a civil cause of action seeking
  247  damages against any person or entity for bodily injury, personal
  248  injury, or wrongful death for a stillbirth.
  249         Section 7. Section 382.021, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  250  read:
  251         382.021 Department to receive marriage licenses and
  252  declarations of domestic partnership.—On or before the 5th day
  253  of each month, the county court judge or clerk of the circuit
  254  court shall transmit to the department all original marriage
  255  licenses, with endorsements, and all declarations of domestic
  256  partnership received during the preceding calendar month, to the
  257  department. Any marriage licenses or declarations of domestic
  258  partnership issued and not returned, or any marriage licenses
  259  returned but not recorded, shall be reported by the issuing
  260  county court judge or clerk of the circuit court to the
  261  department at the time of transmitting the recorded licenses or
  262  declarations on the forms to be prescribed and furnished by the
  263  department. If during any month no marriage licenses or
  264  declarations of domestic partnership are issued or returned, the
  265  county court judge or clerk of the circuit court shall report
  266  such fact to the department upon forms prescribed and furnished
  267  by the department.
  268         Section 8. Section 382.022, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  269  read:
  270         382.022 Marriage application; registration of domestic
  271  partnership; fees.—Upon the receipt of each application for the
  272  issuance of a marriage license or registering a domestic
  273  partnership, the county court judge or clerk of the circuit
  274  court shall, pursuant to s. 741.02, collect and receive a fee of
  275  $4 which shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue for
  276  deposit to the Department of Health to defray part of the cost
  277  of maintaining marriage and domestic partnership records.
  278         Section 9. Section 382.023, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  279  read:
  280         382.023 Department to receive dissolution-of-marriage and
  281  dissolution-of-domestic-partnership records; fees.—Clerks of the
  282  circuit courts shall collect for their services At the time of
  283  the filing of a final judgment of dissolution of marriage or
  284  dissolution of domestic partnership, the clerk of the circuit
  285  court shall collect a fee of up to $10.50, of which 43 percent
  286  shall be retained by the clerk of the circuit court as a part of
  287  the cost in the cause in which the judgment is granted. The
  288  remaining 57 percent shall be remitted to the Department of
  289  Revenue for deposit to the Department of Health to defray part
  290  of the cost of maintaining the dissolution-of-marriage and
  291  dissolution-of-domestic-partnership records. A record of each
  292  and every judgment of dissolution of marriage and dissolution of
  293  domestic partnership granted by the court during the preceding
  294  calendar month, giving names of parties and such other data as
  295  required by forms prescribed by the department, shall be
  296  transmitted to the department, on or before the 10th day of each
  297  month, along with an accounting of the funds remitted to the
  298  Department of Revenue pursuant to this section.
  299         Section 10. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and paragraphs
  300  (a) and (c) of subsection (2) of section 382.025, Florida
  301  Statutes, are amended to read:
  302         382.025 Certified copies of vital records; confidentiality;
  303  research.—
  304         (1) BIRTH RECORDS.—Except for birth records over 100 years
  305  old which are not under seal pursuant to court order, all birth
  306  records of this state shall be confidential and are exempt from
  307  the provisions of s. 119.07(1).
  308         (a) Certified copies of the original birth certificate or a
  309  new or amended certificate, or affidavits thereof, are
  310  confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and,
  311  upon receipt of a request and payment of the fee prescribed in
  312  s. 382.0255, shall be issued only as authorized by the
  313  department and in the form prescribed by the department, and
  314  only:
  315         1. To the registrant, if of legal age;
  316         2. To the registrant’s parent or guardian or other legal
  317  representative;
  318         3. Upon receipt of the registrant’s death certificate, to
  319  the registrant’s spouse or domestic partner or to the
  320  registrant’s child, grandchild, or sibling, if of legal age, or
  321  to the legal representative of any of such persons;
  322         4. To any person if the birth record is over 100 years old
  323  and not under seal pursuant to court order;
  324         5. To a law enforcement agency for official purposes;
  325         6. To any agency of the state or the United States for
  326  official purposes upon approval of the department; or
  327         7. Upon order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
  328         (2) OTHER RECORDS.—
  329         (a) The department shall authorize the issuance of a
  330  certified copy of all or part of any marriage, domestic
  331  partnership, dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, or
  332  death or fetal death certificate, excluding that portion which
  333  is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1)
  334  as provided under s. 382.008, to any person requesting it upon
  335  receipt of a request and payment of the fee prescribed by this
  336  section. A certification of the death or fetal death certificate
  337  which includes the confidential portions shall be issued only:
  338         1. To the registrant’s spouse, domestic partner, or parent,
  339  or to the registrant’s child, grandchild, or sibling, if of
  340  legal age, or to any person who provides a will that has been
  341  executed pursuant to s. 732.502, insurance policy, or other
  342  document that demonstrates his or her interest in the estate of
  343  the registrant, or to any person who provides documentation that
  344  he or she is acting on behalf of any of them;
  345         2. To any agency of the state or local government or the
  346  United States for official purposes upon approval of the
  347  department; or
  348         3. Upon order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
  349         (c) The department shall issue, upon request and upon
  350  payment of an additional fee prescribed by this section, a
  351  commemorative marriage license or certificate of domestic
  352  partnership representing that the marriage or domestic
  353  partnership of the persons named thereon is recorded in the
  354  office of the registrar. The certificate issued under this
  355  paragraph must shall be in a form consistent with the need to
  356  protect the integrity of vital records but must shall be
  357  suitable for display. It may bear the seal of the state printed
  358  thereon and may be signed by the Governor.
  359         Section 11. Paragraph (i) of subsection (1) of section
  360  382.0255, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  361         382.0255 Fees.—
  362         (1) The department is entitled to fees, as follows:
  363         (i) Twenty-five dollars for a commemorative certificate of
  364  birth, or marriage, or domestic partnership. Fees collected
  365  pursuant to this paragraph in excess of expenses shall be used
  366  available for use by the Regional Perinatal Intensive Care
  367  Centers (RPICC) Program to prevent child abuse and neglect.
  368  Funds derived from the issuance of commemorative marriage
  369  certificates shall be used available for use by the Improved
  370  Pregnancy Outcome Program.
  371         Section 12. Paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of section
  372  446.50, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  373         446.50 Displaced homemakers; multiservice programs; report
  374  to the Legislature; Displaced Homemaker Trust Fund created.—
  375         (5) DISPLACED HOMEMAKER TRUST FUND.—
  376         (b) The trust fund shall receive funds generated from an
  377  additional fee on marriage license applications, declarations of
  378  domestic partnerships, and dissolution of marriage and domestic
  379  partnership filings as specified in ss. 741.01(3), 741.509, and
  380  28.101, respectively, and may receive funds from any other
  381  public or private source.
  382         Section 13. Subsection (3) of section 741.28, Florida
  383  Statutes, is amended to read:
  384         741.28 Domestic violence; definitions.—As used in ss.
  385  741.28-741.31:
  386         (3) “Family or household member” means spouses;, former
  387  spouses;, persons related by blood, or marriage, or domestic
  388  partnership; persons who are presently residing together as if a
  389  family or who have resided together in the past as if a family;,
  390  and persons who are parents of a child in common regardless of
  391  whether they have been married. With the exception of persons
  392  who have a child in common, the family or household members must
  393  be currently residing or have in the past resided together in
  394  the same single dwelling unit.
  395         Section 14. Section 741.501, Florida Statutes, is created
  396  to read:
  397         741.501 Legislative findings.—The Legislature finds that:
  398         (1) There are a significant number of individuals in this
  399  state who live together in important, personal, emotional, and
  400  economically committed relationships. Together, these
  401  individuals live, serve, and participate in the community, and
  402  often rear children and care for family members.
  403         (2) These familial relationships, often referred to as
  404  domestic partnerships, assist the state by providing a private
  405  network of support for the financial, physical, and emotional
  406  health of their participants.
  407         (3) The state has a strong interest in promoting stable and
  408  lasting families, and believes that all families should be
  409  provided with the opportunity to obtain necessary legal
  410  protections and status and the ability to achieve their fullest
  411  potential.
  412         (4) While some public and private institutions recognize
  413  domestic partnerships for limited purposes such as health
  414  benefits, hospital visitation, and medical decisionmaking for an
  415  incapacitated family member, many do not. Historically, legal
  416  recognition of marriage by the state is the primary and, in a
  417  number of instances, the exclusive source of numerous rights,
  418  benefits, and responsibilities available to families under the
  419  laws of this state.
  420         (5) The status of marriage in this state is limited by Art.
  421  I of the State Constitution to the union of one man and one
  422  woman and the Legislature does not seek to alter the definition
  423  of marriage in any way. The Legislature also finds, however,
  424  that recognition of domestic partnerships can provide an
  425  alternative mechanism for extending certain important rights and
  426  responsibilities to individuals who choose to form long-term,
  427  mutually supportive relationships. Such recognition will provide
  428  support to these familial relationships without affecting the
  429  definition of marriage, without creating or recognizing a legal
  430  relationship that is the substantial equivalent of marriage, and
  431  without affecting restrictions contained in federal law.
  432         (6) The decision to offer or seek a ceremony or blessing
  433  over the domestic partnership should be left to the dictates of
  434  each religious faith and to the preferences of the persons
  435  entering into the partnership. Sections 741.501-741.511 do not
  436  require performance of any solemnization ceremony to enter into
  437  a binding domestic partnership agreement and do not interfere
  438  with the right of each religious faith to choose freely to whom
  439  to grant the religious status, sacrament, or blessing of
  440  marriage under the rules and practices of that faith.
  441         (7) Because of the material and other support that these
  442  familial relationships provide to their participants, these
  443  relationships should be formally recognized and made uniform by
  444  law. Therefore, the Legislature declares that it is the policy
  445  of this state to establish and define the rights and
  446  responsibilities of domestic partners.
  447         Section 15. Section 741.502, Florida Statutes, is created
  448  to read:
  449         741.502 Definitions.—As used in ss. 741.501-741.511, the
  450  term:
  451         (1) “Department” means the Department of Health.
  452         (2) “Domestic partnership” means a civil contract entered
  453  into between two individuals who are 18 years of age or older
  454  and otherwise capable, of which at least one of whom is a
  455  resident of this state.
  456         (3) “Partner” means an individual joined in a domestic
  457  partnership.
  458         Section 16. Section 741.503, Florida Statutes, is created
  459  to read:
  460         741.503Forms.—
  461         (1) Pursuant to s. 382.003(7), the department shall prepare
  462  forms entitled:
  463         (a) “Declaration of Domestic Partnership” which meets the
  464  requirements of s. 741.505.
  465         (b) “Certificate of Registered Domestic Partnership.”
  466         (2) The department shall distribute the Declaration of
  467  Domestic Partnership and Certificate of Registered Domestic
  468  Partnership forms to each clerk of the circuit court. The
  469  department and each clerk shall make the Declaration of Domestic
  470  Partnership form available to the public.
  471         Section 17. Section 741.504, Florida Statutes, is created
  472  to read:
  473         741.504 Court jurisdiction and duties; registry.—
  474         (1) The circuit court has jurisdiction over any proceeding
  475  relating to the domestic partners’ rights and obligations.
  476         (2) Each clerk of the circuit court shall maintain a
  477  registry of all domestic partnerships entered into in that
  478  circuit and a record of all certificates of domestic partnership
  479  issued which includes the names of the partners and the date of
  480  issuance.
  481         (3) Notwithstanding s. 382.025 or any other law, the
  482  registry of domestic partnerships maintained by a clerk of the
  483  circuit court is a public record and subject to full disclosure.
  484         Section 18. Section 741.505, Florida Statutes, is created
  485  to read:
  486         741.505 Domestic partnership requirements.—
  487         (1) Two individuals wishing to become partners in a
  488  domestic partnership recognized by this state must complete and
  489  file a Declaration of Domestic Partnership form with a clerk of
  490  the circuit court. The declaration must include:
  491         (a) A statement attesting that each individual is 18 years
  492  of age or older and is otherwise capable of entering into a
  493  domestic partnership. The clerk may accept any reasonable proof
  494  of an individual’s age which is satisfactory to the clerk. The
  495  clerk may also require proof of age by affidavit of some
  496  individual other than the parties seeking to file the form if
  497  the clerk deems it necessary.
  498         (b) A statement attesting that at least one of the
  499  individuals is a resident of this state.
  500         (c) Each individual’s mailing address.
  501         (d) A statement attesting that each individual consents to
  502  the jurisdiction of the circuit courts of this state for any
  503  proceeding relating to the partners’ rights and obligations,
  504  even if one or both partners cease to reside or maintain a
  505  domicile in this state.
  506         (e) The notarized signature of each individual, along with
  507  a declaration that the representations made on the form are
  508  true, correct, and contain no material omissions of fact to the
  509  best knowledge and belief of each individual.
  510         (2) Notwithstanding s. 61.021, each person signing a
  511  Declaration of Domestic Partnership form consents to the
  512  jurisdiction of the circuit courts of this state for any
  513  proceeding related to the partners’ rights and obligations, even
  514  if one or both partners cease to reside or maintain a domicile
  515  in this state.
  516         (3) A person who provides intentionally and materially
  517  false information on a Declaration of Domestic Partnership form
  518  with the clerk of court commits a misdemeanor of the first
  519  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
  520         (4) If all legal requirements have been satisfied and there
  521  appears to be no impediment to the domestic partnership, the
  522  clerk of the circuit court shall:
  523         (a) Return a copy of the registered form to the partners;
  524         (b) Register the Declaration of Domestic Partnership in a
  525  domestic partnership registry; and
  526         (c) Issue a Certificate of Registered Domestic Partnership
  527  under his or her hand and seal to the partners in person or at
  528  the mailing address provided by the partners.
  529         Section 19. Section 741.506, Florida Statutes, is created
  530  to read:
  531         741.506 Domestic partnership; name change.—Upon entering
  532  into a domestic partnership, a partner may retain his or her
  533  previous surname, or, if changed, may resume the previous legal
  534  name during the domestic partnership.
  535         Section 20. Section 741.507, Florida Statutes, is created
  536  to read:
  537         741.507 Domestic partnership; rights and responsibilities;
  538  relationship to federal law.—
  539         (1) Any privilege, immunity, right, or benefit granted by
  540  statute, administrative or court rule, policy, common law, or
  541  any other law to an individual because the individual is or was
  542  related to another individual by marriage as an in-law is
  543  granted on equivalent terms, substantive and procedural, to an
  544  individual who is or was in a domestic partnership or who is or
  545  was similarly related as an in-law to an individual
  546  participating in a domestic partnership.
  547         (2) Any responsibility imposed by statute, administrative
  548  or court rule, policy, common law, or any other law on an
  549  individual because the individual is or was related to another
  550  individual by marriage as an in-law is imposed on equivalent
  551  terms, substantive and procedural, on an individual who is or
  552  was in a domestic partnership or who is or was similarly related
  553  as an in-law to an individual participating in a domestic
  554  partnership.
  555         (3) Any privilege, immunity, right, benefit, or
  556  responsibility granted to or imposed by statute, administrative
  557  or court rule, policy, common law, or any other law on a spouse
  558  with respect to a child of either of the spouses is granted to
  559  or imposed on equivalent terms, substantive and procedural, on
  560  an individual in a domestic partnership with respect to a child
  561  of either of the partners.
  562         (4) Any privilege, immunity, right, benefit, or
  563  responsibility granted or imposed by statute, administrative or
  564  court rule, policy, common law, or any other law to or on a
  565  former or surviving spouse with respect to a child of either of
  566  the spouses is granted to or imposed on equivalent terms,
  567  substantive and procedural, on a former or surviving partner
  568  with respect to a child of either of the partners.
  569         (5) For purposes of administering the tax laws of this
  570  state, partners in a domestic partnership, surviving partners of
  571  a domestic partnership, and the children of partners in a
  572  domestic partnership have the same privileges, immunities,
  573  rights, benefits, and responsibilities as are granted to or
  574  imposed on spouses in a marriage, surviving spouses, and their
  575  children.
  576         (6) Many of the laws of this state are intertwined with
  577  federal law, and the Legislature recognizes that it does not
  578  have the jurisdiction to control or implement federal laws or
  579  the privileges, immunities, rights, benefits, and
  580  responsibilities related to federal laws.
  581         (7) Sections 741.502-741.511 do not require or permit the
  582  extension of any benefit under any retirement, deferred
  583  compensation, or other employee benefit plan, if the plan
  584  administrator reasonably concludes that the extension of
  585  benefits would conflict with a condition for the tax
  586  qualification of the plan, or a condition for other favorable
  587  tax treatment of the plan, under the Internal Revenue Code or
  588  adopted regulations.
  589         (8) Sections 741.502-741.511 do not require the extension
  590  of any benefit under any employee benefit plan that is subject
  591  to federal regulation under the Employee Retirement Income
  592  Security Act of 1974.
  593         Section 21. Section 741.508, Florida Statutes, is created
  594  to read:
  595         741.508 Domestic partnerships prohibited and void.—
  596         (1) The following domestic partnerships are prohibited and
  597  void if:
  598         (a) Either party to the domestic partnership currently has
  599  a different partner, or a wife or husband recognized by this
  600  state, living at the time of entering into the domestic
  601  partnership.
  602         (b) The parties to the domestic partnership are related by
  603  lineal consanguinity or are siblings, or if one party is the
  604  niece or nephew of the other party.
  605         (c) Either party to a domestic partnership is incapable of
  606  making the civil contract or consenting to the contract for want
  607  of legal age or sufficient understanding.
  608         (2) If the consent of either party is obtained by force or
  609  fraud, the domestic partnership is void from the time it is so
  610  declared by a judgment of a court having jurisdiction of the
  611  domestic partnership.
  612         (3) An individual who has filed a Declaration of Domestic
  613  Partnership form may not file a new Declaration of Domestic
  614  Partnership form or enter a marriage recognized in this state
  615  with someone other than the individual’s registered partner
  616  unless a judgment of dissolution or annulment of the most recent
  617  domestic partnership has been entered. This prohibition does not
  618  apply if the previous domestic partnership ended because one of
  619  the partners died.
  620         Section 22. Section 741.509, Florida Statutes, is created
  621  to read:
  622         741.509Fees.—
  623         (1) The clerk of the circuit court shall collect and
  624  receive a fee of $2 for receiving a Declaration of Domestic
  625  Partnership form completed in accordance with s. 741.505. In
  626  addition:
  627         (a) A fee of $25 shall be collected and deposited in the
  628  Domestic Violence Trust Fund for the purposes provided in s.
  629  741.01(2).
  630         (b) A fee of $7.50 shall be collected for deposit in the
  631  Displaced Homemaker Trust Fund created in s. 446.50.
  632         (c) A fee of $25 shall be collected and remitted to the
  633  Department of Revenue for deposit, monthly, into the General
  634  Revenue Fund.
  635         (d) A fee of $4 shall be collected and distributed as
  636  provided in s. 382.022.
  637         (2) An applicant for a Certificate of Registered Domestic
  638  Partnership who is unable to pay the fees required under
  639  subsection (1) in a lump sum may make payment in not more than
  640  three installments over a period of 90 days. The clerk shall
  641  accept installment payments upon receipt of an affidavit that
  642  the applicant is unable to pay the fees in a lump-sum payment.
  643  Upon receipt of the third or final installment payment, the
  644  Declaration of Domestic Partnership shall be deemed filed, and
  645  the clerk shall issue the Certificate of Registered Domestic
  646  Partnership and distribute the fees as appropriate. If the fee
  647  is paid in installments, the clerk shall retain $1 from the
  648  additional fee imposed pursuant to paragraph (1)(c) as a
  649  processing fee.
  650         Section 23. Section 741.510, Florida Statutes, is created
  651  to read:
  652         741.510 Proof domestic partnership where certificate is not
  653  available.—If a Declaration of Domestic Partnership has been
  654  received in accordance with s. 741.505 and the clerk has not
  655  registered such declaration as required by that section, if a
  656  Certificate of Registered Domestic Partnership has been lost, or
  657  if by reason of death or other cause the certificate cannot be
  658  obtained, the domestic partnership may be proved by affidavit
  659  before any officer authorized to administer oaths made by two
  660  competent witnesses who were present and saw the Declaration of
  661  Domestic Partnership executed under s. 741.505, which affidavit
  662  may be filed and recorded in the office of clerk of the circuit
  663  in which the Declaration of Domestic Partnership was registered,
  664  with the same force and effect as if the proper certificate has
  665  been made, returned, and recorded.
  666         Section 24. Section 741.511, Florida Statutes, is created
  667  to read:
  668         741.511 Termination of partnership.—
  669         (1)(a) A party to a state-registered domestic partnership
  670  may terminate the relationship by filing a notice of termination
  671  of the state-registered domestic partnership with the department
  672  and paying the filing fee established under subsection (5). The
  673  notice must be signed by one or both parties and notarized. If
  674  the notice is not signed by both parties, the party seeking
  675  termination must also file with the department an affidavit
  676  stating either that the other party has been served in writing
  677  in the manner prescribed for the service of summons in a civil
  678  action, that a notice of termination is being filed, or that the
  679  party seeking termination has not been able to find the other
  680  party after reasonable effort and that notice has been made by
  681  publication pursuant to paragraph (b).
  682         (b) When the other party cannot be found after reasonable
  683  effort, the party seeking termination may provide notice by
  684  publication as provided in chapter 50 in the county in which the
  685  residence most recently shared by the domestic partners is
  686  located. Notice must be published at least once.
  687         (2) The state-registered domestic partnership shall be
  688  terminated effective 90 days after the date of filing the notice
  689  of termination and payment of the filing fee.
  690         (3) Upon receipt of a signed, notarized notice of
  691  termination, affidavit, if required, and the filing fee, the
  692  department shall register the notice of termination and provide
  693  a certificate of termination of the state-registered domestic
  694  partnership to each party named on the notice. The department
  695  shall maintain a record of each notice of termination filed with
  696  it and each certificate of termination issued by it. The
  697  department shall maintain records of terminations of state
  698  registered domestic partnerships, except for those state
  699  registered domestic partnerships terminated under subsection
  700  (4).
  701         (4) A state-registered domestic partnership is
  702  automatically terminated if, subsequent to the registration of
  703  the domestic partnership with the department, either party or
  704  both parties enter into a marriage that is recognized as valid
  705  in this state, either with each other or with another person.
  706         (5) The department shall collect a reasonable fee for
  707  filing the declaration set by rule calculated to cover the
  708  department’s costs, but not to exceed $50. Fees collected under
  709  this section shall be deposited into the department’s
  710  Administrative Trust Fund.
  711         Section 25. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
  712  made by this act to section 741.28, Florida Statutes, in a
  713  reference thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
  714  921.0024, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  715         921.0024 Criminal Punishment Code; worksheet computations;
  716  scoresheets.—
  717         (1)
  718                         (b) WORKSHEET KEY:                        
  719  
  720  Legal status points are assessed when any form of legal status
  721  existed at the time the offender committed an offense before the
  722  court for sentencing. Four (4) sentence points are assessed for
  723  an offender’s legal status.
  724  
  725  Community sanction violation points are assessed when a
  726  community sanction violation is before the court for sentencing.
  727  Six (6) sentence points are assessed for each community sanction
  728  violation and each successive community sanction violation,
  729  unless any of the following apply:
  730         1. If the community sanction violation includes a new
  731  felony conviction before the sentencing court, twelve (12)
  732  community sanction violation points are assessed for the
  733  violation, and for each successive community sanction violation
  734  involving a new felony conviction.
  735         2. If the community sanction violation is committed by a
  736  violent felony offender of special concern as defined in s.
  737  948.06:
  738         a. Twelve (12) community sanction violation points are
  739  assessed for the violation and for each successive violation of
  740  felony probation or community control where:
  741         (I) The violation does not include a new felony conviction;
  742  and
  743         (II) The community sanction violation is not based solely
  744  on the probationer or offender’s failure to pay costs or fines
  745  or make restitution payments.
  746         b. Twenty-four (24) community sanction violation points are
  747  assessed for the violation and for each successive violation of
  748  felony probation or community control where the violation
  749  includes a new felony conviction.
  750  
  751  Multiple counts of community sanction violations before the
  752  sentencing court shall not be a basis for multiplying the
  753  assessment of community sanction violation points.
  754  
  755  Prior serious felony points: If the offender has a primary
  756  offense or any additional offense ranked in level 8, level 9, or
  757  level 10, and one or more prior serious felonies, a single
  758  assessment of thirty (30) points shall be added. For purposes of
  759  this section, a prior serious felony is an offense in the
  760  offender’s prior record that is ranked in level 8, level 9, or
  761  level 10 under s. 921.0022 or s. 921.0023 and for which the
  762  offender is serving a sentence of confinement, supervision, or
  763  other sanction or for which the offender’s date of release from
  764  confinement, supervision, or other sanction, whichever is later,
  765  is within 3 years before the date the primary offense or any
  766  additional offense was committed.
  767  
  768  Prior capital felony points: If the offender has one or more
  769  prior capital felonies in the offender’s criminal record, points
  770  shall be added to the subtotal sentence points of the offender
  771  equal to twice the number of points the offender receives for
  772  the primary offense and any additional offense. A prior capital
  773  felony in the offender’s criminal record is a previous capital
  774  felony offense for which the offender has entered a plea of nolo
  775  contendere or guilty or has been found guilty; or a felony in
  776  another jurisdiction which is a capital felony in that
  777  jurisdiction, or would be a capital felony if the offense were
  778  committed in this state.
  779  
  780  Possession of a firearm, semiautomatic firearm, or machine gun:
  781  If the offender is convicted of committing or attempting to
  782  commit any felony other than those enumerated in s. 775.087(2)
  783  while having in his or her possession: a firearm as defined in
  784  s. 790.001(6), an additional eighteen (18) sentence points are
  785  assessed; or if the offender is convicted of committing or
  786  attempting to commit any felony other than those enumerated in
  787  s. 775.087(3) while having in his or her possession a
  788  semiautomatic firearm as defined in s. 775.087(3) or a machine
  789  gun as defined in s. 790.001(9), an additional twenty-five (25)
  790  sentence points are assessed.
  791  
  792  Sentencing multipliers:
  793  
  794  Drug trafficking: If the primary offense is drug trafficking
  795  under s. 893.135, the subtotal sentence points are multiplied,
  796  at the discretion of the court, for a level 7 or level 8
  797  offense, by 1.5. The state attorney may move the sentencing
  798  court to reduce or suspend the sentence of a person convicted of
  799  a level 7 or level 8 offense, if the offender provides
  800  substantial assistance as described in s. 893.135(4).
  801  
  802  Law enforcement protection: If the primary offense is a
  803  violation of the Law Enforcement Protection Act under s.
  804  775.0823(2), (3), or (4), the subtotal sentence points are
  805  multiplied by 2.5. If the primary offense is a violation of s.
  806  775.0823(5), (6), (7), (8), or (9), the subtotal sentence points
  807  are multiplied by 2.0. If the primary offense is a violation of
  808  s. 784.07(3) or s. 775.0875(1), or of the Law Enforcement
  809  Protection Act under s. 775.0823(10) or (11), the subtotal
  810  sentence points are multiplied by 1.5.
  811  
  812  Grand theft of a motor vehicle: If the primary offense is grand
  813  theft of the third degree involving a motor vehicle and in the
  814  offender’s prior record, there are three or more grand thefts of
  815  the third degree involving a motor vehicle, the subtotal
  816  sentence points are multiplied by 1.5.
  817  
  818  Offense related to a criminal gang: If the offender is convicted
  819  of the primary offense and committed that offense for the
  820  purpose of benefiting, promoting, or furthering the interests of
  821  a criminal gang as prohibited under s. 874.04, the subtotal
  822  sentence points are multiplied by 1.5.
  823  
  824  Domestic violence in the presence of a child: If the offender is
  825  convicted of the primary offense and the primary offense is a
  826  crime of domestic violence, as defined in s. 741.28, which was
  827  committed in the presence of a child under 16 years of age who
  828  is a family or household member as defined in s. 741.28(3) with
  829  the victim or perpetrator, the subtotal sentence points are
  830  multiplied by 1.5.
  831         Section 26. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
  832  made by this act to section 741.28, Florida Statutes, in a
  833  reference thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
  834  943.171, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  835         943.171 Basic skills training in handling domestic violence
  836  cases.—
  837         (2) As used in this section, the term:
  838         (b) “Household member” has the meaning set forth in s.
  839  741.28(3).
  840         Section 27. This act shall take effect July 1, 2012.

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