By Bill Raack, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – A new state law signed by the governor today(Thursday) is being applauded by domestic abuse support groups in Missouri.
The legislation makes secret the identities and addresses of victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, removes a required polygraph test for victims and they won't have to pay for their so-called rape kit . Susan Kidder is the executive director of Women's Support and Community Services in St. Louis,
"It was unthinkable that women who would go into a medical facility would then receive a bill for that afterwards. So this requires the state to pay for that exam."
The bill also increases the penalty for domestic assault in the first degree, which becomes a Class-A felony.