Elections bill to help domestic violence victims goes to Governor

Aug 19, 2010
Contact: 
Ray Sotero, Communications Director (916) 651-4028 (o), (916) 834-1128 (c) Ray.Sotero@sen.ca.gov

Measure approved on bipartisan votes

SACRAMENTO, CA –A public-safety bill to help protect domestic violence victims received bipartisan legislative support and is on its way to the governor.

Authored by Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach, Senate Bill 1233 was approved 79-0 late Thursday by the Assembly and would make permanent a proven program to protect victims of domestic violence from having to reveal their address for various official tasks, such as voting or enrolling their child in school.

“Since its inception in 1999, the Safe at Home Program has helped protect the identities of nearly 3,800 survivors of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault,” Oropeza said about a measure sponsored by Secretary of State Debra Bowen. “Repealing its Jan. 1, 2013 expiration date and making this a permanent program will provide certainty to participants that their anonymity will be permanently protected.”

The measure goes to the governor later this month, and he will have until late September to veto the bill, sign it or allow it to become law without his signature.