Representative Diane Franklin (R-Camdenton) is optimistic her bill that would require Missouri law enforcement agencies to document all domestic violence reports will pass this session. Franklin says the information would help law enforcement’s annual report of homicides and suicides related to domestic violence.
Representative Diane Franklin (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)
“Currently, throughout the state with law enforcement agencies, whether or not you report that domestic violence piece associated with a homicide is voluntary. This would make it a requirement for that to be reported so that we get a more comprehensive look,” said Franklin.
“What we need is a report that really reflects what is happening in the state of Missouri. The changes that are made in this bill are simply to bring the language of the law up to date.”
With three weeks to go in the legislative session, the measure has passed in the House and a Senate committee is expected to vote on it this week.
“Everything kind of gets done here in the last couple of weeks. It has come out with full support from the committees,” says Franklin.
Senator Jeanie Riddle (R-Mokane) is sponsoring the senate version of the bill.
The types of domestic violence included would be abuse, sexual assault, harassment, stalking, imprisonment and coercion.
The measure would also require law enforcement to work with Missouri colleges and universities to develop policies and protocol for incidents of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.