By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri House has given first-round approval to legislation that would close a loophole in the state's domestic violence statutes.
A 2007 law closes records that could identify the name and address of a domestic violence victim.
But it also inadvertently shields the identity of the offender in certain cases.
State Representative Stanley Cox (R, Sedalia) says his bill fixes that oversight.
"This clarifies that the purpose of that statute is to protect victims of domestic assault, not to protect the perpetrators...the victim may request that their name be redacted, but not the perpetrator," Cox said.
The bill came about because a Columbia attorney convicted of domestic assault against his wife used the law to shield his identity.
The bill needs one more House vote, after which it would be sent to the Missouri Senate.