ADVOCATES, ATTORNEY GENERAL, STATE POLICE SUPPORT CAIN BILL TO PROTECT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS

Supporters speak in favor of  bill to improve use of evidence-based risk assessments, strengthen Address Confidentiality Program

AUGUSTA –At a public hearing this morning, the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, the Chief of the Maine State Police, and representatives from several advocacy organizations testified in support of a measure sponsored by Democratic Senator Emily Cain of Orono to increase safety for victims of domestic violence.

“There is no quick fix, no magic wand, and no miracle cure for domestic violence,” said Senator Cain. “We must build upon the work we have done in previous sessions. This is not a partisan issue; it is a people issue that we must continue to address together.”

Senator Cain’s bill builds upon a law sponsored by then-House Democratic Leader Cain requiring law enforcement officers receive training to use evidence-based domestic violence risk assessments. However the law did not specific how the information obtained from the assessments could be used.

LD 1656, “An Act to Increase Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence,” clarifies how law enforcement, judicial, and community groups share information obtained from the risk assessments in order to plan the most effective response when domestic violence occurs.

“By coordinating our knowledge and efforts, we can better determine the risk for domestic violence and plan for the safety of victims and their families,” added Senator Cain.

The bill also enacts some changes to the bail system to increase safety for survivors of domestic violence and clarifies the protection for survivors participating in the Address Confidentiality Program maintained by the Office of the Secretary of State.

“The three concepts…involve “fixes” to policy and statute that the legislature has already approved,” explained Julia Colpitts, the Executive Director of the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence. “[These are] fixes for problems that have come to light.”

The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee will hold a work session on the bill later this session.

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