SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 64

(By Senators Rucker, Azinger, Baldwin, Clements, Cline, Hardesty, Jeffries, Lindsay, Maynard, Pitsenbarger, Romano, Smith, Weld, Woelfel, and Trump )

[Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary; Reported on March 6, 2020]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance conduct a study on domestic violence rates in the state and propose funding to prevent and reduce current and future incidents of domestic violence.

Whereas, In 2010 over 12,000 domestic violence offenses in West Virginia were reported to law enforcement; and

Whereas, In 2014, 33 percent of women were victims of some form of domestic violence, including, but not limited, to stalking behavior, emotional abuse, economic abuse, and coercion or threats; and

Whereas, In 2014, 33 percent of all homicides in West Virginia were attributable to domestic violence and 66 percent of women murdered in West Virginia during this time frame were killed by a family or household member; and

Whereas, There are approximately 21,000 calls to various domestic violence hotlines in this country per day; and

Whereas, Domestic violence programs in this state receive funding. However, it is currently unknown whether the current funding is sufficient to address the needs for persons seeking domestic violence resources or other emergency information across this state; and

Whereas, Undocumented or unreported incidents of domestic violence are often very high. It is crucial to ensure that persons seeking domestic violence resources have the access to information in a discrete manner or be able to contact a hotline for emergencies or other information whenever he or she needs these resources; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance conduct a study on domestic violence rates in the state and propose funding to prevent and reduce current and future incidents of domestic violence; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance include in the scope of its study the current reported figures of domestic violence within the state and the current level of domestic violence funding for law enforcement and other domestic violence programs providing resources to its community and the state; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance review the domestic violence prevention needs and prevention strategies in coordination with other organizations that provide domestic violence services through the state that could be implemented in the state to reduce rates of domestic violence as well as the societal and economic impact associated with them; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance include in the scope of its study the reported figures of incarcerated domestic abusers compared to domestic violence reports; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance should include in the scope of its study the amount of domestic violence homicides that occur each year in this state; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2021, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report, and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.