First Lady Dianne Bentley To Introduce Domestic Violence Protection Legislation
Another piece of proposed legislation looks to provide hope for victims of domestic violence. First Lady, Dianne Bentley, has introduced a new domestic violence prevention bill that will go before lawmakers this session. Mrs. Bentley says the 18 domestic violence shelters in the state need all the help they can get, especially because of all the funding cuts over the last several years for these services. So what does this mean? A possibility of $5 million to help shelters and victims in need. Lenetta Banks was a victim of domestic violence… “10 years ago, I find myself at the family sunshine center in need of help,” Said Banks. She says she remembers sitting here at Montgomery’s Family Sunshine Center after being in an abusive marriage, a shelter that provides everything from counselors to a place to live. The Sunshine Center, like the other 17 shelters in the state have lacked funding for years. Now, Alabama’s First, Lady Dianne Bentley, is stepping up to change that. Mrs. Bentley wants to modernize domestic violence laws and increase state funding going toward service centers. “The number of victims turned away due to over capacity has doubled. Even though our shelters try to take everyone putting them in their offices and pantry areas, there are still 447 Alabamians who were turned away last year,” Said Mrs. Bentley. The legislation would propose $2 million to launch the initiative; another $3 million for grants to make improvements and expansions in shelters. Money coming from the General Fund budget. With the bill in the hands of legislators, Banks wants them to know one thing. “If they got their position because they want to change their state? Then this is the way you do it first,” Said Banks. This bill also means stricter rules for those committing the crime and strengthening protection orders to victims. The money is in the hands of ADECA, but it is up to the legislature to approve spending it. State representative Mike Jones of Andalusia is one of the bill sponsors.
