A Connecticut bill seeking to reduce domestic violence victim arrests has cleared the House of Representatives and now heads to the governor.
May 3, 2018, at 7:17 p.m
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut lawmakers have overwhelmingly approved legislation that aims to reduce the number of domestic violence victims who end up getting arrested, along with their abuser.
The House of Representatives on Thursday voted 147-1 in favor of the bill requiring police to arrest the person determined to be the dominant aggressor, when responding to family violence complaints. The bill, which already cleared the Senate, now moves to the governor.
Advocates for domestic violence victims say Connecticut’s rate of dual arrest is more than twice the national average.
Democratic Rep. Robyn Porter of New Haven says “nobody should be arrested for self-defense.”
Republican Rep. Craig Fishbein of Wallingford opposed the bill. The divorce attorney says he doesn’t believe the bill will help the situation.
Article Source: Bill Attempts to Reduce Domestic Violence Victim Arrests