HB 439 - Florida Families Act Summary

• Establishes a domestic partnership registration system allowing two adults to file a Declaration of Domestic Partnership with circuit court clerks for a $30 fee plus additional fees totaling $89.50.

• Grants domestic partners rights equivalent to spouses in healthcare decisions, visitation at facilities, anatomical gifts, funeral arrangements, property ownership by tenancy by the entirety, and body disposition authority.

• Requires healthcare facilities, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and correctional institutions to provide domestic partners the same access and visitation rights as spouses.

• Creates prohibitions on domestic partnerships involving married individuals, those under 18, related parties, and cases involving force, fraud, or duress; allows termination by filing notice with a 90-day waiting period.

• Establishes a Domestic Violence Trust Fund by adding $25 surcharge to domestic partnership registrations (plus existing $25 marriage license surcharge) to fund domestic violence centers; takes effect July 1, 2014.