By Meghan McCann
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, spotlighting an issue that is rarely far from the headlines.
NCSL’s Child Support and Family Law Project tracks domestic violence legislation in the states. During the 2013 and 2014 legislative sessions, numerous bills were introduced dealing with domestic violence.
The legislation addressed various topics including:
- Arrest procedures and sentencing guidelines
- Victims’ employment and income protection
- Victims’ rights
- Primary, secondary and higher education responsibilities
- Establishment of state offices, committees, councils, and task forces
- Protective orders
- Gun rights
- Revision of the definitions of partner and couples status.
Bills dealing with arrest procedures and sentencing guidelines focused on adding to the definition of domestic violence, increasing penalties, training police, and allowing officers to arrest suspected perpetrators of domestic violence without a warrant.
California, New Jersey and Oregon addressed victim’s employment and income protection issues by allowing for leaves of absence and/or paid leaves of absence for victims, without fear of losing employment. Alabama made changes to the victim’s compensation fund. Connecticut, Illinois and Louisiana enacted legislation addressing teen and dating violence, often with a requirement that findings or results be reported to the General Assembly. Six states extended the operation or established offices, committees, councils, and task forces, while three states enacted legislation dealing with gun rights of domestic violence perpetrators.
Keeping victims safe following reported domestic violence is critical. At least 11 states addressed victims’ rights through legislation ensuring address confidentiality, free phone number changes, lease termination without penalty and other measures designed to keep victims safe. In addition to 2013-2014 legislation, the NCSL Child Support and Family Law Project tracks similar legislation dealing with domestic violence in the context of child support enforcement.
Most legislation addressed protective orders. From court responsibilities and standard of proof, to alcohol monitoring and timelines for putting a protective order in place, eight states enacted 19 bills to improve the protective order process.
For a more detailed analysis and bill numbers, view NCSL’s Domestic Violence Legislation 2013-2014.
Meghan McCann is a policy associate with NCSL’s Children and Families Program. She focuses on issues of child welfare, child support and family law.
Email Meghan.