H-E-B, San Antonio has been recognized for generous contributions to domestic violence agencies by Senator Jane Nelson on behalf of the Senate of the State of Texas. The company has donated $100,000 in a special grant which included $25,000 for the National Domestic Violence Hotline and $75,000 for shelter programs in communities served by H-E-B. The Texas Council on Family Violence will distribute the community funds. This is a significant donation due to the recent increase in the demand for services for victims of family violence in Texas. H-E-B has stepped up in a time of great need for the domestic violence community and continues to uphold its reputation as a community driven company dedicated to serving those in need. Pictured from left are Leslie Lockett, representing H-E-B, Senator Jane Nelson and Sheryl Cates, CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) and the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV). For more information about these generous contributions, click here. If you would like to view the Bill, click here.

By CASEY GWINN

This week I have been reflecting on those that would choose to ignore the importance of dealing with domestic violence in America. After more than 30 years of the modern domestic violence movement, we still struggle for funding, we face budget cuts and reductions when the economy goes bad (though domestic violence rises) and we rarely are the primary focus of public policy makers in America.

This week the news is consumed with coverage of the H1N1 flu, an important public health issue in America. As of May 2, there have been 167 confirmed cases of the flu in the United States and one death. But there has been little news about the mass killings of 68 people across America in the last 52 days, with men doing all the killing and virtually all related to men with a history of violence against women.

Ecprogress.com

By BOB RAY SANDERS

The tragic scenario that played out May 15 in Fort Worth’s Como neighborhood is one that is much too familiar, for it occurs far too often.

Yet I still can’t get used to it.

I hope I never become so accustomed to this kind of violence that the victims don’t matter or go unnoticed, even though my only acquaintance with them is through newspaper accounts.

Star-telegram.com

Austin—May 26, 2009—The Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) will host its first ever statewide family violence prevention conference entitled “Make It Real” from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., May 27-29 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 6121 N. IH-35 in Austin.

The “Make It Real” conference will focus on practices that stop violence before it begins using comprehensive, community-based approaches to change societal factors that allow violence to occur in the first place. The conference will give family violence practitioners an opportunity to connect and learn from one another’s experiences. Continue Reading »

The Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) policy team continues working hard at the Capitol to ensure the passage of TCFV’s Legislative Agenda. With one week left in the 81st Legislative Session, here is a quick look at our progress so far.

Keeping Texas Families Safe: Appropriations for Family Violence Programs
SB1
Senate Bill 1 passed the House of Representatives, and is being sent to the Governor for signature. Within the General Appropriations bill, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) requested $50.9 million to fund family violence programs across the state. The majority of this request–$48.5 million—represents level funding for core shelter and programmatic services; $2.5 million of the request would go for exceptional items funding. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice also requested $2.5 million to fund Texas’ Battering Intervention Prevention programs (BIPP). Senator Steve Ogden authored this legislation, and Representative Jim Pitts sponsored it in the House.

Making Offenders Accountable to Communities: Mandatory Probation Fees to Family Violence Programs
SB 82
Senate Bill 82, passed by the Senate and then the House of Representatives, is being sent to the Governor for signature. This change to Article 42.12 makes it mandatory that convicted family violence offenders pay a fee of $100 to family violence centers as a condition of probation. Senator Jane Nelson authored this legislation, and Representative Joe Moody sponsored it in the House. If signed by Governor Perry, the bill will take effect September 1, 2009.

Notice to Offenders: Federally Mandated VAWA Funding Compliance
SB1236
Senate Bill 1236, by Senator Kel Seliger, is now on its way to the Governor for signature. This measure amends current law relating to admonishments given to a person charged with a misdemeanor offense regarding the possible loss of their right to possess or purchase a firearm if they are convicted of certain offenses, including family violence. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) requires Texas to admonish defendants regarding this federal law in order for Texas to continue receiving VAWA grant money. Representative Dawnna Dukes authored the House version of this bill (HB1644), and sponsored the measure that passed. If signed by Governor Perry, the bill will take effect September 1, 2009.

Save Lives: Strangulation as an Enhance-able Third Degree Felony
HB2066
House Bill 2066, passed by the House and the Senate, is on its way to the Governor for signature. This measure amends Section 22.01 of the Penal Code to enhance the penalties for assaulting a family member by strangulation or suffocation to a third degree felony. Representatives Pete Gallego, Joe Moody, Valinda Bolton and David Leibowitz authored the legislation, with Representatives Eddie Lucio, III and Allen Vaught co-authoring. Senator Jane Nelson, along with Senator John Carona, is sponsoring the Senate version (SB1324). If passed by the Governor, the bill will take effect September 1, 2009.

Abduction Risk Factors Should No Longer Keep Victims from Following Safety Plans
SB491
Senate Bill 491, authored by Senators Royce West, Juan Hinojosa and Eliot Shapleigh, has passed the Senate and has been favorably reported out of House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence committee, and placed on the House General State Calendar. This measure would require a judge to consider whether certain activities by both parties of a child custody lawsuit indicating an abduction risk are related to a threat of family violence. Senator Carlos Uresti co-authored the bill, and Representative Roberto Alonzo is sponsoring it in the House. If successfully passed and signed by the Governor, the bill will take effect September 1, 2009.

Fostering Real System Change: Domestic Violence Fatality Review
HB3303
House Bill 3303 has passed both the House and the Senate, and is awaiting signature by the Governor. The bill, authored by Representative Carol Kent, amends the Health and Safety Code to establish immunity from subpoena for certain types of information gathered in an adult fatality review and investigation, including domestic violence fatality reviews. Senator Judith Zaffirini sponsored the Senate version of the bill (SB1872). If signed by Governor Perry, the bill will take effect September 1, 2009.

Other Family Violence Legislation
In addition to its legislative agenda, the TCFV policy team also has been lending support and working on several other items important to family violence legislation.

SB 83
Governor Rick Perry, on May 12, 2009, signed Senate Bill 83 into law. This measure allows victims of family violence and sexual assault to terminate lease agreements early without incurring financial penalties. The bill, authored by Senator Jane Nelson, and sponsored in the House by Representative Ryan Guillen, takes effect January 1, 2010. TCFV worked very closely with the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault and the Texas Apartment Association to make this legislation a reality.

HB72
House Bill 72, passed by the Senate, is being sent to the Governor for signature. HB72 eliminates the 60-day waiting period before a divorce is granted in cases where a spouse has been convicted of an act of family violence against the petitioner or the petitioner has obtained a protective order against the other spouse for an act of family violence. Senator Judith Zaffirini sponsored the Senate version (SB24). Representative Ryan Guillen authored the House version with Representatives Veronica Gonzales, Senfronia Thompson, Eddie Rodriguez and Valinda Bolton joining. If signed by Governor Perry, the bill will take effect September 1, 2009.

HB853
House Bill 853, passed by the House, was favorably voted out of the Senate’s Criminal Justice Committee, and is scheduled for a public hearing on May 21, 2009. This measure amends current law to include pets and other companion animals in protective orders granted to victims of family violence, and provides penalties. The bill was authored by Representatives Jodie Laubenberg, Eddie Rodriguez, Roland Gutierrez, David Leibowitz and Norma Chavez. Senator Carlos Uresti is sponsoring the Senate version of the bill (SB1840).

HB2240
House Bill 2240, passed the House, was favorably voted out of the Senate’s Criminal Justice Committee, and was scheduled for a public hearing on May 21, 2009. This measure provides that two or more domestic violence offenses occurring in a 12-month period are aggregated into a continuous violence against the family offense, punishable as a third degree felony. The bill was authored by Representative Tyron Lewis and co-authored by Representatives Allen Vaught, Joe Moody and Ryan Guillen. Senator Jane Nelson is sponsoring the Senate version of the bill.

SB843
Senate Bill 843, passed the Senate, was favorably voted out of the House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee, is headed to the House floor for a vote. This measure amends the Family Code to include a reference to third parties in the definition of “dating violence,” therefore insuring that these third parties may protect themselves against violence in dating relationships and file for protective orders. Senator Carlos Uresti authored the bill. Co-authors include Senators Wendy Davis, Juan Hinojosa, Joan Huffman, Eddie Lucio, Jr., Leticia Van de Putte, Kirk Watson, Jeff Wentworth, Royce West, and Judith Zaffirini. Representatives Joaquin Castro, Trey Martinez-Fischer, Eddie Lucio III, Valinda Bolton, and David Leibowitz are sponsoring the bill on the House side, with co-sponsors Representatives Ryan Guillen, Marc Veasey and Abel Herrero. If approved by the House and signed by the Governor, the bill would take effect September 1, 2009.

HB2236
House Bill 2236, authored by Representatives Joe Moody, Will Hartnett, Solomon Ortiz, Jr., and David Leibowitz, passed the House and has been referred to the Senate Criminal Justice committee with a public hearing scheduled for May 21, 2009. This measure amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to require a court that considers, on request by the attorney representing the state, a motion for continuance on the part of a defendant, to also consider the impact of the continuance on the victim in cases of sexual assault or family violence. Senator Florence Shapiro authored a similar bill in the Senate (SB1380). If passed and signed by the Governor, the bill would take effect September 1, 2009.

BY KRISTEN SCHORSCH

Beaten and burned, Kimberly Johnson was left to die.

Family members say an ex-boyfriend whom police charged with murder Wednesday is to blame for the crime.

Johnson’s mother, Betty, said her daughter shared few details about who she was dating. She didn’t know her daughter was being abused.

Southtownstar.com

A group of Trinity University computer science students teamed up to help a nonprofit agency that counsels victims of domestic violence.

Five students developed Web-based training courses for Family Violence Prevention Services Inc. as a senior design project. Counselors with Family Violence Prevention Services will now be able to take advantage of distance learning opportunities.

Bizjournals.com

By SEANNA ADCOX

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Gay rights advocates on Tuesday protested the exclusion of gay and lesbian relationships from a South Carolina bill meant to curb teen dating violence.

Limiting dating violence prevention to students in hetereosexual relationships further discriminates against students who are already vulnerable to bullying, depression and self-doubt, the advocates said. They urged senators to remove the reference.

Thesunnews.com