Florida lawmakers are pushing to put more protections in place for real estate agents. a measure that’s been moving in the House got its first hearing in the Senate Monday.
At least three real estate agents have been attacked in that past 6 months. That’s according to Rep. Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples).
“There have been a string of nation-wide attacks and sexual assaults on some realtors and some deaths have occurred,” Passidomo says.
Passidomo has a bill she hopes will address that.
“House bill 47 increases penalties by one degree for violent offenses committee against realtors while they are in the act of showing a property or or conducting an open house,” Passidomo says.
The measure is awaiting a floor hearing the House, but had been stagnant in the Senate until it got a committee hearing Monday. Sen. Nancy Detert (R-Venice) is pushing the bill in that chamber. She says attacks on realtors are premeditated.
“They are making an appointment with you to assault murder or rob you,” Detert says.
Detert says realtors can be especially vulnerable.
“It’s the stalking aspect. It’s the fact that it’s mostly a female occupation. 70-percent of the crimes are against women. I think they’re being stalked, they’re being target and we’re going to send the message that it’s not the best niche market,” Detert says.
The measure would add real estate agents to a protected class that includes EMTs, sports officials and the elderly. Despite concerns from lawmakers who worry about creating more crimes, the measure passed through the committee. Detert says she hopes the bill will raise awareness about the issue, but with two more Senate committee stops to go, she says the measure faces a tough road this year.
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