Rep. Smith Supports Bill Protecting Survivors Of Violence

Press release from State Representative Monique Smith:

March 2, 2021

Rep. Monique Smith (D-Fairview Park) voted in favor of House Bill (HB) 93, legislation to modify the state’s address confidentiality program (Safe at Home), as it passed the House with overwhelming support. This legislation has been a long-held Democratic priority that allows victims of domestic violence, stalking, rape, human trafficking, or sexual battery who fear for their safety to keep their address confidential and out of the public record.

“It is paramount that survivors and their children are able to live away from their abuser without revealing their location,” said Rep. Smith. “By facilitating this in a way that allows victims to maintain access to critical government resources, this legislation will help survivors live safely and build a better, brighter future here in Ohio.”

Former Democratic Rep. Kathleen Chandler and then-Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner championed the initial version of the bill to create the Address Confidentiality Program, which passed the House in 2010. That measure failed to pass the Senate. Democratic Rep. Kathleen Clyde carried the bill until the passage and enactment of Safe at Home in 2016.

HB 93 now moves to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

This press release was produced by State Representative Monique Smith. The views expressed here are the author's own.