Kifowit-Backed Bills to Offer Greater Protection for Domestic Violence Victims in the New Year

Two measures sponsored by state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, and aimed at protecting women and children from domestic violence will take effect on January 1.   

“I am committed to working collaboratively with law enforcement, community groups, and residents to reduce the occurrences of domestic violence,” Kifowit said. “If by allowing a spouse or child to receive health care information at an alternate address it can reduce the chance that they are exposed to a dangerous situation, then that’s a great accomplishment.”

House Bill 3300, now Public Act 98-0189, was introduced by Kifowit into the House this spring, and requires accident and health insurance companies to provide claim-related information in a different way at a different location to people who believe that such information could put them in danger. The measure is in response to situations where couples are separated but remain on the same health care plan, and one spouse is a victim of domestic violence or fears this information would reveal their location or private healthcare information to an abuser. A parent may also make such a request on behalf of a child.

House Bill 958, now Public Act 98-0187, increases penalties for repeat domestic battery offenders. Under current law, if a criminal is convicted of domestic battery multiple times, they are not subject to increasing penalties. Under this new law sponsored by Kifowit, an offender with one or two prior convictions could be sentenced to a Class 4 felony punishable by one to three years in prison. An offender with three prior convictions would be charged with a Class 3 felony punishable by two to five years in prison. An offender with four or more prior convictions could be sentenced to a Class 2 felony punishable by three to seven years in prison.

“Increasing the penalties for domestic batterers is a strong way to show that these crimes will not be tolerated,” said Kifowit. “The new year will bring stronger tools for prosecutors, law enforcement and survivors of domestic violence to fight back against offenders and keep women and children safe.”

For more information, please contact Rep. Kifowit’s constituent service office at 630-585-1308 or email Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net.

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