SPONSOR: Anderson
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on General Laws by a vote of 13 to 0.
This bill makes changes to the Address Confidentiality Program, which authorizes the use of a designated address for victims of a crime. The bill expands the program to victims of any crime who fear for their safety. The bill also applies the program to other individuals living with the victim.
The bill specifies that if a parent is participating in the program, a court order releasing information on a minor child in a custody case shall not release the parent's address. Additionally, if a parent wishes to relocate a child who is under his or her custody, a parent in the program may provide his or her information under seal to the court for in camera review.
The bill specifies that an applicant may complete his or her own renewal in the program, and does not need to use an application assistant. A participant in the program may be removed if he or she moves outside of Missouri.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this bill expands the protections of the address confidentiality program to help other victims in their efforts to stay safe. This program seems very simple but it has a big impact. The Secretary of State Safe at Home Program recommends these changes to ensure that victim are protected from their abusers.
Testifying for the bill were Representative Anderson; Missouri Coalition Against Domestic: Sexual Violence; Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys; and Brenda Sites, Missouri Secretary of State Safe at Home Program.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Statutes affected: 452.375, 452.377, 589.660, 589.663, 589.664, 589.666, 589.669, 589.672, 589.678