Florida Passes 'Gabby Petito Act' to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence

A new law in Florida is reshaping how law enforcement handles potential cases of domestic violence. Dubbed the 'Gabby Petito Act,' it honors the memory of the 22-year-old who tragically lost her life in 2021 at the hands of her fiancé, Brian Laundrie.
Body camera footage shows police in Utah responding to a reported domestic violence incident involving the couple, long before their names hit headlines nationally. Officers determined Petito to be the aggressor but ultimately let them go.
Tragically, just weeks later, Brian strangled Gabby to death. Petito’s grieving parents sued the police department, alleging they overlooked critical signs of domestic violence. It also left many wondering if a different approach by law enforcement could have potentially saved Gabby’s life.
As of July 1, SB 1224, also known as the 'Gabby Petito Act', now mandates law enforcement to conduct a lethality assessment protocol (LAP) for all reported incidents of domestic violence. The assessment consists of 12 yes-or-no questions designed to gauge the level of danger faced by victims.
"There's all types of emotions that a domestic violence victim feels like, you know, they're fearful to report something," said Mike Jachles, a spokesperson for the West Palm Beach Police Department (WPBPD). “The 12 questions are very specific, that you would hope that that victim can answer honestly and upfront.”
Joseph Petito, Gabby's father, sits on the board of directors at SafeSpace, a nonprofit providing sanctuary for domestic violence victims on the Treasure Coast.
“If law enforcement is being called, it's something's going on, there's something major that's happened. So, want to make sure law enforcement fully understand the issue and then know what to do next,” Jennifer Fox, CEO of SafeSpace Florida, said.
SafeSpace Florida receives roughly 250 calls a month on its 24/7 hotline. According to Fox, the organization has plenty of resources; the challenge is raising awareness.
“Safety planning, escape planning, all that's happening right from the minute that we get that phone call,” Fox said. “That’s just people who know to call.”
SafeSpace 24/7 Hotline [phone]
DCF Domestic Violence Hotline [phone]
Florida implements 'Gabby Petito Act' to protect victims of domestic violence (cbs12.com)
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[@sr2291]

The 911 caller wasn't from Moab. He was driving through called 911 and left the area. The second witness (who everyone ignores) was standing outside and said he saw the entire incident. He gave a police officer his contact information and later went to the PD to file a written report.
Read the full transcribed statement:
"At approximately 4:30 p.m., I arrived at Moonflower. While standing on the south side of the street, I observed a man and woman appear to have some sort of a dispute. They were talking aggressively at each other and something seemed off. At one point they were sort of fighting over a phone, I think the male took the female's phone. It appeared that he didn't want her in the white van. He got into the drivers seat and she followed him. At one point she was punching him in the arm and/or face and trying to get into the van. "
She eventually climbed in over him and over the passenger seat. I heard her say, "Why do you have to be so mean?" I wasn't sure how serious this was - it was hard to tell if it was sort of play fighting, but from my point of view something definitely didn't seem right. It was as if this guy was trying to leave her, and maybe take her phone? Not sure but wanted to help out. I noticed another person had called this in, and as soon as I left the store, I noticed a police officer and gave him my contact info.
abc7ny.com/amp/gabby-petito-disappearance-911-call-brian-laundrie/11036257/

[@sr2291]

Gabby called her mother from the backseat of the police cruiser. These statements are from the Petito v Moab lawsuit.
3. Gabby contacted her family to tell them that the couple had been fighting, that Brian had hit her, and that the police had been called. The family immediately responded by beginning to arrange
for Gabby to fly home and to have her van shipped home, to separate her from Brian.
98. Gabby then called her parents.
99. On that call, Gabby’s parents demanded that Gabby fly home to get away from Brian, offering to pay for her ride to Salt Lake City and her flight home. But upon learning that the police were involved, Gabby’s parents accepted Gabby’s assurances that she should continue her trip. Gabby’s parents relied to their detriment on the police officers involved to evaluate the situation and intervene as necessary to protect Gabby. But for the officers’ failure to investigate and follow Utah law, Gabby’s parents would have intervened to end the trip and bring Gabby home.

[@SummerDays-ut5gt]

*"Gabby Petito should have been cited for domestic abuse by Utah police, review finds"*
Ummm, Florida? Gabby was determined to be the aggressor, Brian would have been handed the assessment. You're naming an anti-domestic violence bill after a domestic abuser.

[@JaylenPotts-zs2qw]

Growing up in Albany Ga i used to get bullied by my brother. I hope it protects everyone from harm.

[@sr2291]

Me too. The assessment should not just be for couples. It should be given to anyone abused by anyone. Good comment.