Becker, a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals at offices throughout the East Coast, is pleased to announce it helped secure the passage of HB 1189 on behalf of our client, Rape Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).
The bill establishes Sexual Assault Response Teams that provide a coordinated response to sexual assault allegations and better serve sexual assault victims. The Teams meet quarterly in each county and coordinate the local response to sexual assault victims.
The legislation also requires law enforcement officers to be trained in culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed approaches to sexual assault, which equip law enforcement officers with more effective communication styles to use when interviewing sexual assault victims, and improve relations between survivors and police.
Becker’s Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff said, “I am so proud of our work on behalf of RAINN to get H.B. 1189 passed, which makes several positive changes to the sexual assault response teams’ statute. The advocacy and testimony of sexual assault survivors played a major role in moving this legislation forward, and of course, we could not have done it without our hardworking sponsors. Thank you, Representatives Randy Fine, Tracie Davis, and Senator Book.”
Camille Cooper, RAINN’s Vice President of Public Policy added, “I am grateful that Becker helped move this important legislation forward to establish uniform procedures and best practices for responding to a reported sexual assault. This will help victims navigate a process that is often difficult.”
Government Law and Lobbying – at the local and state level in Florida and the federal level in Washington, D.C. – has been a core practice for Becker since its founding in 1973. The team of lawyers and lobbyists includes several who have served in high-level government positions and distinguished themselves in the political and legislative arenas and in state, local and federal government. This first-hand working knowledge of government, at every level, provides clients with valuable insights, unparalleled access and a deep understanding of the legislative, administrative, and regulatory processes to help navigate the maze of government.
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