By State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper)
As a state senator, one of my duties is to try to make sure Hoosiers are safe from harm. Unfortunately, we can't always prevent crimes from happening – despite our best efforts to do so.
Earlier this year, a bill I sponsored that streamlines domestic abuse assistance programs in Indiana unanimously passed the General Assembly.
House Enrolled Act 1195 repealed the Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Council and incorporated its duties into the Victim Services Division of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.
The Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Council was responsible for coordinating and monitoring domestic violence programs in Indiana.
In repealing the council, the new law also helped resolve several longstanding issues, like the inability to conduct meetings due to the lack of a quorum and the conflicts of interest that existed due to many council members voting on funding they receive.
While the council was repealed, the tasks it performed can easily be transferred to the Victim Services Division because the division already performed many of the domestic violence council's daily functions.
House Enrolled Act 1195 was signed by Gov. Holcomb and went into effect on July 1.
Anyone in crisis is encouraged to contact The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or TheHotline.org.
As always, feel free to contact my office directly with your questions and concerns by email at Senator.Messmer@iga.in.gov or by phone at 800-382-9467.
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State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) represents Senate District 48, which
includes Crawford, Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike and Spencer counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
