House Overwhelmingly Approves Domestic Violence Crackdown

Members of the Missouri House move to crack down on domestic violence. Overwhelming approval is granted, 108-13, for a bill separating domestic violence from other assault charges, making them apply not only to husband and wife conflicts, but also to those between boyfriend and girlfriend.Sponsor Vicky Riback-Wilson of Columbia gives credit to her interim committee for drafting a bill receiving bi-partisan support. A member of the interim committee, Representative Carson Ross of Blue Springs, says members traveled the state to investigate domestic violence. The bill also would make Missouri comply with national crime reporting standards. A couple of flaws have been detected in the bill, but the House approves the measure when the sponsor promises to fix them in the Senate.