By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, Mo. – The State Senate has given initial approval to a bill that would beef up protection of victims of domestic violence and sex crimes.
The bill's main provision would allow domestic violence victims to use an alternate address through the Secretary of State's office.
It's sponsored by Democratic Senator Jolie Justus of Kansas City, who also works as an attorney.
"I've represented several women, who when we go to file the divorce, and we're filing it against an abuser after we've already gotten an order of protection, they say to me, 'I finally moved. I've got a new residence. I don't want to put my address on the divorce petition.'"
The bill would also increase penalties for repeat offenders of first-degree domestic assault, and keep the identities of victims of sex crimes a secret in court documents.
The Senate will hold a final vote later on, and if it passes it will move to the Missouri House.