Gov. Blunt signs domestic violence bill

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Women who suffer domestic abuse or have been the victim of sex crimes will get more protections from the state under a bill Gov. Matt Blunt signed Thursday.

The measure makes secret the identities of victims of sexual or domestic assault, stalking or forcible rape in otherwise public court records. The bill also increases the penalty for repeat offenses of first-degree domestic assault.

"It is a fundamental duty of our state government to protect Missourians from violent criminals," Blunt said in a written statement released after he signed the bill at a shelter in Columbia.

The bill prevents law enforcement from requiring someone who reports being the victim of a sexual offense to undergo a lie-detector test before starting a criminal investigation. Supporters said such a requirement was offensive.

Another key element of the legislation creates a new program championed by Secretary of State Robin Carnahan to provide victims of domestic violence and a few other crimes with an alternative address upon request. The idea is to prevent abusers from tracking their victims down through the mail or public documents.

"My office is dedicated to making 'Safe at Home' work for victims because we know this program can help save lives," Carnahan said in a written statement Thursday.

The alternative address would be available to anyone who has suffered domestic violence, rape, sexual assault or stalking, and could be used by children and adults.

A person's mail would be sent to the secretary of state's office under an alternative address, similar to a post office box. It then would be forwarded to the person's real home. The alternate address could also be used on government documents and public filings. The person would be signed up for four years and could renew as needed.

The bill also spells out that health care providers cannot charge victims of sex crimes for a forensic exam to collect evidence.

The state already covers the cost of exams for sex crime victims if the person's health insurance does not cover it. But the state Department of Health and Senior Services said under current law, some people may still get bills for the exam if the hospital or provider was unaware of the state fund.

The new legislation requires the state to cover all such exam costs, rather than first billing private insurance programs.

The bill also allows a person who was a victim of child pornography to sue for damages years later, when he or she is an adult and realizes the harm caused.

Blunt also was promoting the bill with events Thursday in Lee's Summit, Springfield and St. Louis.

Like most Missouri laws, the measure's provisions take effect Aug. 28.

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Domestic violence bill is HB583.

On the Net:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov