Stacy Lehman

The meeting focused on several critical discussion points regarding the lethality assessment framework outlined in SB 1224. A significant portion of the discussion centered on the Florida Sunshine Law, emphasizing that all communication regarding workgroup business must be open to the public, following an exchange between two members that violated the law. New business involved a detailed review and debate over the specific lethality assessment questions proposed in SB 1224, particularly concerning their clarity, evidence-based foundation, and practical application in dynamic field environments. Concerns were raised about whether the mandated 12 questions are too extensive, contrasted with arguments emphasizing statistical accuracy for reducing domestic violence fatalities. Participants discussed the necessity of evidence-based research supporting any modifications or adoptions of the questions, with references made to tools used in other states, such as the Maryland model and the assessment used by the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. Discussions also touched upon potential statutory enhancements regarding penalties for repeat domestic violence offenses and the need for corresponding victim advocacy resources.

The Workgroup meeting focused on substantive discussions regarding the lethality assessment instrument. Key topics included reviewing the exclusion of substance abuse from the current assessment tool, which was clarified as being addressed in follow-up services. A suggestion was made to involve a subject matter expert to review the development of the assessment questions. Following this, the Workgroup debated whether the questions listed in SB 1224 should be retained or replaced. An expert from the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence was introduced and confirmed that the assessment tool must remain in its current context, as validated by studies such as LAP 2.0, to maintain its validity. The expert confirmed that LAP 2.0, officially released in 2024, includes the high-danger question of strangulation. The Workgroup ultimately voted to accept and use the questions present in LAP 2.0. Public comment raised concerns about substance abuse not being on the lethality assessment and the intent of the statute regarding connecting victims to services.

The Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission convened quarterly to address criminal justice issues and review cases involving officer misconduct to take action on certifications. Disciplinary actions reviewed included Case #45744, resulting in a 75-day prospective suspension and one-year probation for a DUI with property damage and child endangerment conviction, despite FDLE requesting a longer suspension. Case #50716 addressed 'Sex on Duty' involving actions at a fire station and misuse of on-duty time, leading to revocation of certification. Case #49839 involved battery and domestic violence, resulting in a 90-day prospective suspension and one-year probation contingent on anger management completion. Case #49072 concerned false official statements regarding correctional sergeants' duty hours, resulting in a 180-day prospective suspension and one-year probation contingent on ethics training. The document also provided context on the National Decertification Index (NDI) managed by IADLEST, noting FDLE's role as Florida's representative and the process for gaining database access.

The Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission reviewed several cases involving officer misconduct to determine disciplinary action against criminal justice certifications. Cases discussed included allegations of marijuana possession leading to termination, perjury and submitting a false official statement resulting in certification revocation, possession of a hoax bomb leading to acceptance of a settlement penalty, and a case involving a false official statement stemming from a use of force incident, which resulted in the acceptance of a settlement agreement. The document also provided procedural information regarding the Commission's authority under Florida Statute and the planned Penalty Guidelines Task Force meeting in early 2021.

The Workgroup meeting addressed barriers to implementing the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence Lethality Assessment Program (MNADV-LAP), including copyright restrictions on the questions and significant statewide implementation costs exceeding $30,000, in addition to annual fees. The Workgroup reviewed lethality assessment questions from the Department of Children and Families (DCF). A primary discussion involved a motion to rescind the prior vote adopting the MNADV-LAP due to the identified barriers; this motion passed. The group then moved to devise policies and procedures for the statewide lethality assessment instrument as mandated by SB 1224. A motion carried to allow the use of personal pronouns ('he' or 'she') or the specific name of the aggressor instead of the term 'aggressor'. Subsequent tasks include drafting paper and online assessment forms for law enforcement by January 1, 2025, and developing implementation procedures, including forwarding a copy of the assessment to the State Prosecutor's Office. The group also discussed definitions of intimate partners and the potential inclusion of a question regarding false imprisonment.