U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) on Jan. 10 introduced bipartisan legislation that would reauthorize the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act from 2020 through 2024.
“With this legislation, not only are we providing greater access to domestic abuse victim services, but we are also boosting education in the hopes of preventing these horrible crimes in the future,” said Sen. Capito.
S. 85 is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Capito, Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The bill would continue government support for victims of domestic violence by directing federal funds to emergency shelters, support programs and the National Domestic Violence Hotline, a toll-free and online service that provides 24-hour victim assistance, according to a summary of the bill provided by Sen. Capito’s office.
“As a former prosecutor, I have seen firsthand how domestic violence harms victims, hurts families and makes communities less safe,” Sen. Klobuchar said. “This legislation would support victims of abuse and their families by providing shelter, counseling, legal assistance and other critical care to those who need it most.”
Sen. Capito cosponsored a similar bill, S. 2784, during the 115th Congress.
The newly introduced S. 85 has been referred to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee for consideration.