Senate propels bill aiding domestic violence victims

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A House bill aimed at aiding victims of domestic violence by waiving fees for birth certificates made headway in the Senate Thursday.

HB 1135, championed by Republican Rep. Chris Dinkins, would waive the one-time $15 fee for domestic violence victims who need a new copy of his or her birth certificate.

Often, victims could need to flee a dangerous situation too quickly to grab important documentation, or an abuser could withhold these items, Dinkins said. And birth certificates are needed to obtain a driver’s license, set up a bank account, or enroll in school.

“I think it’s an important step that we help these people get out of abusive situations so they can move on with their lives,” Dinkins told The Missouri Times in an interview. “These people are often very vulnerable because of the lifestyle they’ve been living, and it’s hard for them to break away. We just want to do everything we can to help them be able to get back on their feet and get a job and start their lives over again.”

Read more: https://themissouritimes.com/60834/senate-propels-bill-aiding-domestic-violence-victims/