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Legislation
The
Beginning Over Foundation is dedicated to protecting the rights
of abuse victims through legislative efforts. Recent initiatives
include:
- Senate
Bill # Bill 1219, a.k.a Robin's
Law. The Beginning Over Foundation is eagerly lobbying
online and offline with politicians and anyone who will listen!
If you want to join the fight to change the laws, please contact
us and we will send you information to forward to your elected
leaders, give you a book to help gather signatures or anything
else you may need.
What
is it that we want to change? In Pennsylvania, the only way
to find out if someone is a domestic violence offender is
by going to the courthouse and only if there is a "protection
from abuse" order on file can we find out if our daughter,
sister, mother or friend is dating a violent offender. Megan's
law is the only law we have to protect our children from violent
pedophiles, so why should we not do the same for family violence?
We believe that having a database registry would indeed save
the lives of many women in Pennsylvania. We believe that every
state should enact this law.
What
we are fighting for on Robin's behalf would be for REPETITIVE
(a.k.a. HABITUAL) violent offenders in Pennsylvania to have
to notify neighbors when they move into their neighborhood.
This sounds familiar doesn't it? Yes, this is what we do with
convicted sex offenders, and we think in the case of HABITUAL
criminals (especially those with violence and restraining
order violations) should have to do the same thing as a convicted
sex offender.
What
is a Repetitive Violent Offender?
The offenders are those convicted of:
1. 1st or 2nd degree murder;
2. 1st degree manslaughter;
3. (a) shooting or discharging a firearm with intent to kill;
(b) using a vehicle to facilitate the intentional discharge
of a firearm, crossbow, or other weapon; or (c) assault and
battery with a deadly weapon or by means likely to produce
death;
4. assault with intent to kill;
5. bombing;
6. attempt to commit any of these crimes; or
7. any crime substantially similar to these adjudicated by
a state, federal, tribal, or military court.
Other
States Already Have This Law In Place
While
Pennsylvania does not have a repetitive violent offender registry
in place, there are several other states that do and work with
the community to provide information to the public. The following
states all have REPETITIVE VIOLENT OFFENDER REGISTRIES: Florida,
Montana, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Ohio. Michigan, Conneticut,
and Illinois are in the process of trying to pass legislation
to also enact a violent offender registry in their states. This
is by no means a new idea.
- Senate
Bill # 414, a.k.a. Kimberlee's
Law. This measure would change state law relating
to child custody to say ''No court shall award custody, partial
custody or visitation or allow contact or communication'' by
a parent who was convicted of first-degree murder of the other
parent unless the child is old enough to consent.
We are diligently lobbying for stricter jail time for violations
of parole, restraining orders, and repeat offenses. If we can
get these people off of the streets, or at least KNOW who they
are, we have a better chance at protecting ourselves, our communities,
and our rights.
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