HB 8 PASSES!

After eight unsuccessful efforts to expand civil protections to victims of dating violence, HB 8 passed the General Assembly just after midnight on March 24 - the beginning of the last day of the 2015 General Assembly.  Earlier in the evening, the Senate passed HB 8 by a vote of 37-1. The bill then traveled back to the House where that chamber voted unanimously to concur with the Senate changes. 

HB 8 SCS 1 adds a new chapter to Kentucky's statutes (KRS 456), establishing civil protective orders for dating violence victims, rape victims, and stalking victims. The primary change that the Senate Judiciary Committee made to HB 8 was structural.  The amended bill leaves domestic violence orders in KRS 403 while placing interpersonal violence orders in the new KRS 456. HB 8 will go into effect January 1, of 2016.

KCADV President Darlene Thomas praised the efforts of House Judiciary Committee Chairman and primary bill sponsor, Representative John Tilley; Senator Whitney Westerfield, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee; and Governor Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear.  "Without their compassion and commitment, passage of this legislation would not have been possible. It is my honor to thank you for your work on behalf of KCADV and the many survivors we serve."

"There is a long list of legislators, individuals and organizations who have supported this effort over the past nine sessions," commented KCADV Executive Director Sherry Currens. "KCADV and its member programs are proud to have been a part of this committed and passionate campaign to expand protection to some of our most vulnerable Kentuckians."

Additional Bills of Interest that Passed:

HB 316, sponsored by Representative Burch, provides funding to expand the state's address confidentiality program to help survivors with extreme safety issues protect their addresses. Individuals convicted of sex crimes will be required to pay a $30 administrative fee to fund the program.  This funding will allow the Secretary of State's office to provide a substitute address for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking in a criminal case that is ongoing or resulted in a conviction. Victims can use the substitute address for mail and on many public documents.  The address confidentiality program, originally passed in 2013, also allows victims to vote without their address appearing on voter registration rolls. Read more

2015 Shop & Share event raises $794,000 in goods and cash

The 7th annual Shop & Share was held March 28th throughout the Commonwealth. Shop & Share is a one-day drive to provide Kentucky's 15 domestic violence shelters with much-needed items. All Kroger stores in the state, as well as Food City and Super Dollar stores in eastern Kentucky, participated, collecting donations of non-perishable food, personal care items, baby needs, and cleaning products, as well as money and gift cards.

Kentucky's First Lady Jane Beshear started the program in 2008. This year, the effort raised more than $793,840 in goods, cash, and gift cards. Since Shop & Share began, the event has garnered nearly $4 million for our member programs. 

In addition to the First Lady's office, Shop & Share is sponsored by KCADV, Kroger, Food City, Super Dollar Stores, Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana, Girl Scouts of Kentucky's Wilderness Road Council, Kentucky Drug Court, the Kentucky Federation of Women's Clubs, and the Kentucky Commission on Women.

March Matchness!

Thank you, Twitter followers. Throughout the month of March, KCADV got the attention of 51 new followers out there in the Twitterverse. Each follower at @KCADVtweets was matched with $2. KCADV's generous match donors are Ken Draut and Kevin McNally. For every new follower on Twitter, our donors donated $1 to KCADV's survivor emergency fund.

"KCADV was my March pick since they have a proven record of helping survivors work towards self-sufficiency," said Ken Draut, a loyal donor of KCADV's economic justice project.

It doesn't have to stop with #MarchMatchness. Following @KCADVtweets is a great way to keep up with legislation and other news that affects survivors of domestic violence. We also tweet live from trainings or special events that help KCADV network, raise awareness, and better serve survivors in Kentucky.

Mayor's Day of Recognition

of National Service

The Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence was proud to host an event honoring Mayor's Day of Recognition of National Service this month. The event, sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service, calls for mayors and judge executives to recognize AmeriCorps members for their service. 

On April 7, local mayors and judge executives were invited to enjoy breakfast with AmeriCorps members and hear about the national service efforts in their communities. In attendance was Mayor Bill May of Frankfort, Judge Executive Huston Wells of Franklin County and Claude Christensen, Mayor of Sadieville. Economic Empowerment Corps Program Director Michelle Fiore was able to share success stories from members currently serving at ten KCADV programs. Read more