Lawmakers have been active lately on the domestic violence prevention front

Over the past year, lawmakers at the Ohio Statehouse have introduced a number of items dealing with domestic violence. What follows is a status update on some of those measures. The information comes from the Ohio Domestic Violence Network steering committee, with updates from the Ohio Legislative Service Commission.

"¢ Substitute House Bill 10 deals with civil protection orders in dating relationships. The bill would allow any teen to get a protection order in juvenile court for any violence, threat of violence, sexually oriented offense or stalking. The bill has passed in the Ohio House and is seen as likely to pass the Senate in the coming months.

"¢ House Bill 19 would require schools to adopt teen dating violence policies and provide education in health classes to students in grades seven through 12. The bill passed the House on May 13 and was introduced in the Senate the following day where it is currently in committee.

"¢ House Bill 167 would prohibit an employer to discriminate against a victim of domestic violence, allow a victim to take unpaid leave for court proceedings, prohibit a landlord from discriminating against a victim of domestic violence, and allow a victim of domestic violence to terminate a lease and to change the locks in the victim's dwelling. The bill has had sponsor testimony and three hearings and is currently in committee in the House. There is great opposition to the bill from Republicans, according to the domestic violence steering committee, primarily regarding the employment provisions.

"¢ Senate Bill 144 would create the Ohio Family Stability Commission, with the intent being to research and formulate recommendations regarding the reduction of the divorce rate, unmarried births, the rate of domestic violence and child abuse. The bill would also research and recommend strategies around issues concerning child custody and child support and to implement said recommendations. The bill was introduced to the Senate in June and is currently sitting in committee.

"¢ House Bill 112 would authorize a court to monitor alleged offenders by a GPS system as a condition of pre-trial release in specified criminal cases. The cost would be borne by the alleged offender. This bill was introduced in March and is still in committee. This proposal did not fly in a similar bill on stalking last year in the Senate, and they now have the Crime Victim Compensation Fund paying for indigent offenders, according to the domestic violence steering committee.

"¢ Also, Democratic Governor Ted Strickland appointed a committee on workplace domestic violence as a part of an executive order. The Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence is helping with the printing of posters and safety cards. These posters have reportedly been located in all the restrooms in all buildings with state employees.