Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) is getting rave reviews from the feminist blogs.
Murray—already a star with feminists for co-sponsoring and passing Plan B legislation with then Sen. Hillary Clinton in the GOP-in-the-majority years—rolled out legislation today to make sure victims of domestic violence aren’t in double jeopardy: The legislation ensures that victims of domestic violence can take time off work to deal with getting legal help, making court appearances, finding shelter—without getting their pay docked.
The legislation also prevents insurers or employers from taking domestic violence into account when making health coverage or employment decisions.
In a statement, Sen. Murray said:
“For too long domestic violence victims have been victimized twice—first by their abusers and then again by financial and insurance constraints that punish them for their abusers’ crimes. The SAFE Act will help domestic violence victims break the financial chains that bind them to their abusers.”
According to Sen. Murray’s press release, here are the details on Sen. Murray’s bill:
Currently, victims of domestic violence are not expressly allowed by federal law to take leave from work for the purpose of dealing with domestic violence, nor do they have the right to unemployment compensation if they lose their jobs due to circumstances resulting from abuse. Victims who seek help to leave their abuser are often discriminated against by employers and insurers.
These restrictions often force victims to choose between their safety and their financial security. Abusers frequently exploit their victims’ economic dependence to keep them trapped in violent relationships.
To address these issues, Senator Murray is re-introducing the Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act. This legislation promotes financial security for victims of abuse in several ways:
Allows a victim to take time off from work, without penalty from their employers, to make necessary court appearances, seek legal assistance, and get help with safety planning. For families attempting to escape a violent environment, attending to such necessities is often a matter of life and death.
Ensures that victims can retain the financial independence necessary to leave their abusers without having to rely on welfare by requiring that states provide unemployment benefits to victims who are terminated from employment due to circumstances stemming from domestic violence.
Prohibits employers or insurance providers from basing hiring or coverage decisions on a victim’s history of abuse.
Addresses the punitive elements of the welfare system that can penalize victims who are fleeing dangerous situations, also called the Family Violence Option.
