DES MOINES – A bill that establishes an address confidentiality program for victims of domestic abuse and others passed the Iowa Senate this week and now heads to the House for reconsideration.
The Iowa Senate voted 45-0 Wednesday, April 15 to pass House File 585. It would help protect the identity of those who are victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, stalking and human trafficking by creating an address confidentiality program in the Iowa Secretary of State’s office.
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate expressed his appreciation for the bill Wednesday, saying “It’s unanimous. Safe at Home is good legislation! My office looks forward to returning power to the victims of abuse.”
“The Safe at Home Act is an important step in helping protect victims from their attackers,” Pate wrote in an op-ed published in the Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Abuse counselors tell us that one of the first things victims ask is how to shield their address from their attacker. This important legislation will help them do that. It gives power back to the victims.”
Since the bill was amended after it passed the House 100-0 in March, the bill must be sent back there for reconsideration.
