Please vote to Abolish suicide as a criminal offense. I think in the case of a search warrant, the investigators should be able to obtain it with the wording of " suspicious death" instead of completing the warrant with suicide or homicide. Possibly " death in the home" could be used as a general reason for a search warrant until they collect evidence otherwise. Thank you for all you do Sharon Mullen Henry County resident

Comments Document

Hello, I write in support of HB81. I am submitting a fact sheet explaining the importance and justification for this critical legislation. Thank you for considering my views. Nancy O'Brien

Kathy and Pete Durand suffered a great loss when their son committed suicide. They are the kindest people I know. They treat me as a daughter. So when I found out that their son's suicide notes were subject to FOIA requests and available to the public, I was outraged. Some horrible person got hold of them and used them against Kathy and Pete. It's bad enough they grieve the loss of their only child but for him to be labelled a criminal in the afterlife and have his information available like that is appalling. This person caused this family a lot of harm and no justice was served. The Durand's weren't even informed of the release of these letters. What Peter wrote in those letters was PRIVATE. He is not criminal because he decided to end his own life. The reality is people will commit suicide, but they shouldn't be labeled as a criminal. It's adding insult to injury, to their good name and their loved ones. I fully support this Bill and hope it gets passed for families like the Durand's.

Comments Document

Statement in support of HB81.

Please take a moment to consider removing suicide as a “common-law crime”. I have unfortunately seen first hand what suicide can do to a loved one’s family. Suicide is a result of mental illness. Having a mental illness is not a crime and nor should suicide be. I have witnessed the damage this mis-labeling can lead to. Due to it being labeled a common-law crime, a non family member was able to receive copies of suicide letters and other private information from police. Which resulted in this individual harassing and emotionally abusing family members. Immediate family should not have to worry about their loved one’s private records being released to people that should not be privy to such information. It is hard enough to mourn the loss of someone dear to you due to mental illness but it is even harder knowing that private details of your loved one could be dredged up by any individual making you relive that painful day. My heart has broken over and over for my dear friends that have sadly experienced this situation. Please consider removing suicide from the common-law crime list in Virginia. Any little bit of peace helps family heal from such a tragic loss.

As a mental health provider in the Commonwealth of Virginia, I am writing today to urge you to support the passage of HB 81 which abolishes the common law crime of suicide. Both personally and professionally, I've seen the many shocking and painful impacts of suicide on loved ones and family members. Having a family member's suicide be classified as a crime adds massive unnecessary insult to a death that is already surrounded with stigma and misunderstanding. This classification adds undue burden when suffering is already at an all time high. It's unfair, unreasonable, and inhumane -- the origins of this classification are long outdated and this revision is long overdue. Please vote to pass HB 81 to offer a bit of humane restoration to those impacted by a loved one's suicide in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It's time and it is only right that this bill get passed! Kathryn Rheem, EdD., LMFT, Fairfax, VA

I SUPPORT HB 174. Marriage equality is long overdue. I SUPPORT HB 640. It's the least we can do to provide restitution to someone who was wrongfully incarcerated. I SUPPORT HB 766. Sexual abuse should absolutely be taken into account when adjudicating for a child's best interest and no child should be under the custody of someone who abused them. I SUPPORT HB 81. It's disgraceful that someone who suffered enough to attempt or die or suicide would ever be treated like a criminal, and this kind of stigma is a barrier to getting help that would prevent suicide. I OPPOSE HB394. It was a joyous occasion in 2021 when Virginia abolished the death penalty, and we should never go back to the days that we still had that.

I am writing today to urge you to support the passage of HB 81 which abolishes the common law crime of suicide. Currently, in Virginia, suicide is considered a crime, and those that die by suicide are considered criminals by the Commonwealth of Virginia. This can be devastating to family and friends when they realize their loved ones are considered criminals. It also creates a higher likelihood that police investigative files could be released to non-family members. As a Mom who lost her son to suicide six (6) years ago, I have experienced first- hand the pain of knowing my son is considered a criminal and the trauma of having sensitive information including his private suicide notes released, without my permission or knowledge. There is no reason to continue classifying suicide as a crime. Making this change will not encourage assisted suicide (that is a separate law) or any other provision of the criminal or civil laws of Virginia. Please support the passage of HB 81 Thank you very much for your time, Kathy Durand

Thank you for considering HB81. I would like to emphasize the importance of decriminalizing suicide, pointing out that even though the law is not actively enforced in terms of imprisonment or brutal practices, its presence serves certain economic interests and perpetuates stigma. To legislators: please consider the emotional toll on those who have lost loved ones to suicide and individuals struggling with mental health issues; for those who are opposed, I ask for transparency about the reason for your decision. The connection between suicide abolition and assisted suicide has been clarified. Suicide abolition aims to erase stigma and is not linked to assisted suicide issues already covered in the legal code. There has been support for this kind of bill from major suicide prevention organizations since 2021. Suicide is framed as a major health crisis, and I advocate for recognizing and treating it as such, emphasizing that true mental health program reform requires abolishing the common law crime of suicide. There have been many other countries and states that have decriminalized suicide in the past year. Thus, I urge Virginia legislators to vote in favor of HB81, and I'd like to emphasize the bipartisan nature of compassion and empathy in addressing the universal impact of suicide and mental illness. Thank you, Kyle Johnson, Falls Church, VA

Please vote no on HB 394, HB 391, HB 399, HB 400, & HB 77. We no longer want to live in a state that is"tough on crime" without providing proper mental health and meaningful rehabilitation. We believe in public safety AND human rights. Virginia does NOT need the death penalty. We need reform. Focus on root causes of problems using common sense.

AN ANALYSIS OF HB 81 SUICIDE; ABOLISHES COMMON LAW CRIME: THE FACTS1 CURRENT STATUS: Suicide, as a common law crime, is considered a crime in the Commonwealth of Virginia. However, there is no punishment prescribed for conviction of this crime. EFFECT OF THE ENACTMENT OF HB 81: The crime of suicide would be abolished in the Commonwealth. This change would have no impact on 8.01-622.1 (assisted living statute) of the Virginia Code or any other laws or regulations concerning suicide. FACTS: • There are no contemporary instances where a person who has committed suicide has been charged or prosecuted for the common law crime of suicide. • Citizens in Virginia consulted by the Pete Durand Music for Everyone Foundation strongly oppose the current law in the Commonwealth of Virginia and find the labeling of suicide as a crime contrary to their understanding of the tragedy of suicide. • No western, industrialized, democratic country treats suicide as a crime. The vast majority of states in the United States have not criminalized suicide. We cannot find one state that seeks to actually use the criminal law as a response to suicide. Keeping Suicide as a Crime: • Serves no legal, social, economic or other legitimate purpose of legislation. Peer reviewed research consistently finds that criminalizing suicide is associated with higher rates of suicide, not lower rates. • Causes harm and more grief to families, friends and associates of those who commit suicide by further traumatizing them when they realize that the Commonwealth considers their deceased loved one a criminal. • Increases the likelihood that the investigative file developed by law enforcement will be released to non-family members.2 WE URGE YOU TO SUPPORT HB 81 AND REMEDY THIS HARMFUL AND UNNECESSARY PROVISION OF OUR CRIMINAL CODE. 1Prepared by the Board of the Pete Durand Music for Everyone Foundation. A Virginia based 501c (3) organization founded to carry on the work of Pete Durand who committed suicide in 2017. 2This occurs when an agency determines that as suicide is a crime, it must be treated as an investigative file subject to FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), rather than an unintended death investigation file which is not subject to general FOIA release. This happened with Pete Durand’s file.

Please stop criminalizing suicide. According to a Guardian news article, research shows that in countries where suicide has been decriminalized, people can seek help for mental health and rates tend to then decline. Also the fact that our servicemen, who have suffered traumas and end their lives, are deemed criminals. This needs to be remedied.

Suicidal ideation is grouped with depression or mood disorders, but there are mental disorders, life events including family and friend events that can increase the ideation of suicide. Treatment should be provided to individuals who have ideations regardless of their diagnosis or lack of diagnosis because of their risk of a suicidal act, or other repeated problems associated with the thoughts of suicide. After an attempt is a crucial time, in my opinion, for treatment to start the process of training the brain away from the idea that they are a burden to family, or society and suicide is the only way to dissolve the repeated thoughts. My 22 year old son with several mental diagnosis and with very high IQ had a severe mental breakdown in Sept 2023 and was picked up by local police after running full speed down a secondary road. He could not fully explain to them the details of his intentions and was taken to the hospital where he remained on a suicide watch for 48 hours. He talked to crisis counselors and intervention personnel, and was allowed to leave with me with the plan to see crisis specialists every day for 2 weeks and the promise that we call if he had any more suicidal ideation. He remains with those counselors today, as well as a caseworker who helps him weekly trying to remain on a schedule with proper meds and mental health preparedness plans going forward. He did not " snap out of it" as some people would suggest, and remains in the crisis state due to refusing of meds and keeping appointments that he needs to maintain his mental health. He lives with several risk factors, and may enter a treatment facility if his actions or mental state changes even slightly. He should not be criminalized for his actions or his state of mind. His mental illness is being treated and we are trying to find meds that work for him without so many side effects. He should be able to find treatment on his own accord and face his own health accordingly. We should definately Abolish the criminalization of suicide attempts for those people like my son who are fighting for their lives to chase sucidal ideation away. They need the treatment They need their medications, counselors, intervention personnel and support systems in place They need the good attention not the stigma associated with mental illness Please vote to amend the code of Virginia by adding section 18.2-16.1 that relates to the common law crime of suicide. Thank you for your attention

This leads to allowing the govt to murder folks. Just like Canada - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/diabled-woman-canada-assisted-suicide-b2363156.html. "Disabled woman claims Canada is forcing her to die by assisted suicide: ‘It’s not what I want’ The woman accused the government of creating ‘the perfect storm for disabled people’ in Ontario"

This comment is not written in the best pros, but is a comment from the heart of a mother who has lost her only boy to suicide. I held my son’s hand for ten years while confronted his demands and dragons of drug addiction. At the age of twenty-one his long-term girlfriend married someone else and he fell into the world of drugs. We struggled through the addition, treatment programs, halfway houses and therapy He did eventually get a job, a car, and an apartment, but the demands returned. He let go of my hand and took his life. He left a note saying he loved me, and could not hurt me anymore. It took courage to do what he did and he did it for me. To give his life to stop hurting me should not be a crime How can we criminalize an act of desperation? Hopefully we will never be in that position, Valerie Turner, Arlington VA

Having lived through the heartbreak of losing some friends and family members to death by suicide, I believe it is very important to pass HB 81. The current laws are archaic. How can an individual be guilty of a felony, when they cannot stand trial? It is time for Virginia to enter the 21st century and change this law.

It is way past time to decriminalize suicide. Suicide is a tragic event, but not a crime. There is no reason to continue to consider this a common-law crime, which stigmatizes this tragedy and does nothing to prevent or help those struggling with suicidal thoughts. It is especially ironic that Virginia has not been successful in decriminalization of suicide considering the fact that England (where the common-law originated) did so over 50 years ago.

As a survivor or suicide loss in high school as well as my own struggles with suicidal ideation since middle school, I unequivocally support this bill. Families of those lost to the utter tragedy of suicide should not be further stigmatized by the drawn out process of criminalization.

So wonderful to see us finally cracking down on guardians and conservators. Well done! Also glad to see us crack down on hate crimes especially if we’re going to continue fueling the disastrous Applied Behavioral Analysis. There must be guard rails. So thank you Dan. And as for HB81, I wish that had become law years ago! I nearly took my life twice. Now you’re going to rub salt in the scar?

So wonderful to see us finally cracking down on guardians and conservators. Well done! Also glad to see us crack down on hate crimes especially if we’re going to continue fueling the disastrous Applied Behavioral Analysis. There must be guard rails. So thank you Dan. And as for HB81, I wish that had become law years ago! I nearly took my life twice. Now you’re going to rub salt in the scar?

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The compensation for special justices, court-appointed attorneys, and independent examiners in civil courts had received up until last year had not been raised by statute forover 15 years. Last year the court-appointed lawyers compensation for representation of indigent clients was raised substantially. The Deeds Commission noted recently that Virginia was 49th or 50th in the nation. It is time to raise the statute frozen fees for hard-working special justices and independent examiners as well, particularly if MD and PhDs are to be encouraged to undertake the kind of high risk complex neuropsychiatric clinical assessments that increasingly are at evidence in the EDs, psychiatric units, and Crisis Now Centers that are increasingly coming into play under the Governor's Right Help Right Now. You cannot expect the quality of forensic and neuropsychiatric expertise that will be require under an EDCOT styled evaluation program under CCBHC community if you do not pay these professional competitive rates, particularly psychologists and other licensed professionals if they are to undertake to do these kinds of "high risk" assessments and to participate actively in specialty court proceedings. There are already major workforce shortages among these licensed professionals which will only get worse if they are not offered competitive rates.

The lawyers, special justices, and independent examiners providing special judicial services are hard-working profession who have had their fees fixed by statute for many years. As an independent examiner contracted through the OES, the statutorily "frozen" fee I receive ($75 per evaluation) has not been increased in the 15 years + that I have provided this service as a licensed professional. I urge the Committee to vote in the affirmative for Watts HB125.

I had the opportunity to address the Civil Subcommittee in person on 22 January, for which I'm grateful. Below is the rest of what I'd like to be entered into the record for HB140. This is more of a narrative as to why it has taken so many years to get to this point, without a final adoption taking place. I will try to give a short version of the criminal case, the custody case, and the wrongful death case involving Braulio Castillo. Criminal Case In March, 2014, Michelle Castillo was murdered. Her husband, Braulio Castillo, was arrested in April, 2014, and charged with first degree murder, B&E with the intent to commit murder, and violating a protective order (which had been granted in April, 2013, and upheld on appeal in Sept. 2013.) In June, 2016, Mr. Castillo was convicted on all three charges against him, and sentenced to life in prison. A final sentencing order was entered in December, 2016. In January, 2017, an appeal was filed at the Court of Appeals of Virginia. The CAV disposed of the case in June, 2019, affirming all Circuit Court decisions. In August, 2019, another appeal was filed at the Supreme Court of Virginia. This appeal was initially refused in Feb., 2020, and a rehearing was refused in August, 2020. In January, 2021, Mr. Castillo filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari with the US Supreme Court, which was denied in February, 2021. Lastly, in August, 2021, Mr. Castillo filed a petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus in Loudoun County Circuit Court. That case remains active, with little happening between August, 2022, and the present day.** The Custody Case In June, 2016, a separate trial was held in JDR Court regarding a custody case between Mr. Castillo and Loudoun County Dept. of Family Services. (The case began in 2014, but stayed until the criminal trial concluded.) This case involved the DFS decision (after Mrs. Castillo was killed) to remove the four minor children, led to the initial termination of Mr. Castillo's parental rights, and also assigned a goal of "adoption" to the foster care matter. In July, 2016, an appeal was filed in Loudoun Circuit Court. That de novo appeal did not conclude until September, 2017, with the Court ruling the removal, goal of adoption, and termination of parental rights was warranted. The custody case was appealed to CAV in September, 2017, and was disposed of in April, 2018, with all Circuit Court decisions affirmed. An appeal was then filed with the Supreme Court of Virginia, which was refused in August, 2018. In October, 2018, Loudoun DFS tried to initiate adoption proceedings for the four minor children, but the Guardian ad-Litem, and the County Attorney for Loudoun, both objected due to existing Virginia Law (it would sever the children's rights as beneficiaries). The Wrongful Death Case In March, 2016, a wrongful death action was filed by the oldest of the five children. Aside from changes in Counsel and a few motions, that suit has largely sat dormant. I'm unsure of the real reasons why, but have been told there was an agreement between the Court and the attorneys to not bring the case to trial until "all criminal appeals have been completed." ** I believe the Habeas case factors in to the "all criminal appeals" thought process, and there is no end in sight. In closing, I'd like to state for the record that we (the Meekers) are simply trying to achieve permanency as a family through adoption, not force movement in any particular Court case. HB140 enables that.

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Hb161 Vote no

Good morning, I'm making a comment in support of HB 161 because it gives correctional officers a voice. In recent years, correctional officers have been faced with circumstances that they need support from the community and lawmakers. Correctional officers are often forgotten in public safety and law enforcement but serve a vital role by ensuring custody, control, and accountability of sentenced offenders assigned under their care. They serve and protect their families and communities while in uniform under the most hazardous conditions any public safety officer or law enforcement officer ever have to deal with. Please support HB161 because it will promote transparency while preserve the integrity of the dedicated correctional officers who serve.

YES

161 pass this good samaritan bill!

I strongly support HB161 that prevents those experiencing or reporting an overdose from disciplinary action from the VADOC or law enforcement. We have had so many overdose deaths in the facilities that we need to encourage reports since time is the critical factor in saving a life. Please vote YES for HB161.

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Please vote no on HB 394, HB 391, HB 399, HB 400, & HB 77. We no longer want to live in a state that is"tough on crime" without providing proper mental health and meaningful rehabilitation. We believe in public safety AND human rights. Virginia does NOT need the death penalty. We need reform. Focus on root causes of problems using common sense.

I am writing in support of passage of HB247. It is a fact, as stated by HUD Sec. Fudge,during the House Oversight committee meeting last week that many public housing authorities have problems. The public housing authority where i formerly lived in Charlottesville had been cited by HUD for deficiencies. Additionally, many of the public housing units are OLD and constructed with very cheap materials. These 2 factors place residents of public housing at risk for health impacts. Many residents are our elderly and children. Both these populations are susceptible to the environmental impacts of aging buildings. It is not the fault of the residents' that funding from HUD's operational budget is not adequate and HAS NOT been for quite some years. Housing is a Human Right that I vigorously support. Having a safe and healthy home option benefits the community in so many ways. The ability of residents to seek redress is foundational. These changes will enhance that foundational principle. Thank you for your time and attention to this Bill. Respectfully, Nancy Carpenter Spotsylvania County resident mobile: 540-718-7196

I am in support of this bill for the following reasons: Talking points. Alleviate the financial burden and sometimes financial devastation for the parties; particularly for the low wage earning spouse or the non working spouse. Fault based divorces may cause a breakdown in co-parenting and a breakdown in the family unit. Even though the family unit is dissolved legally, the family unit is still intact if there are children and grandchildren involved. Such allegations of a fault-based divorce are public record and can cause extreme embarrassment for the parties and if the parties have children, for the children as well. The embarrassment can be felt throughout the family structure and within society and professionally. When proving fault-based allegations such as cruelty, apprehension of bodily hurt, etc. exhibits/testimony are used. Examples of this may be inappropriate text messages, photos, allegations of abuse, even though not proven, which are all a part of a public record. Parties should be permitted to divorce without depleting their retirement and savings and leave their dignity intact. I've been practicing law since 2005 and I would say that in my experience, 85% of the divorces that are filed on fault based are granted a NO fault divorce. In addition, emotions run extremely high during the divorce process. The process of gathering evidence and proving fault-based divorces can lead to unsafe situations for a spouse which can include domestic violence and death. Thank you for your consideration, Shannon D. Lemm

Thank you for working to move this bill forward. I support HB 273 and hope this will pass. Our current standard 1 year waiting period for divorce serves to hold the financially disadvantaged party, most frequently the woman, in unhealthy, dangerous and abusive situations. It increases the overall cost of divorce for everyone and often leads to mothers being forced to accept unreasonable terms of settlement from their abuser as they cannot financially sustain the very expensive divorce process for a full year. Virginia is one of the most difficult states for women to get out of abusive marriages safely and eliminating this artificially extended waiting period is a good first step to improving the situation.

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Please help keep teachers safe by voting YES.

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Hb640 vote yes. Wrongful incarceration is a huge thing that nothing can make up for so people deserve as just compensation as possible

I SUPPORT HB 174. Marriage equality is long overdue. I SUPPORT HB 640. It's the least we can do to provide restitution to someone who was wrongfully incarcerated. I SUPPORT HB 766. Sexual abuse should absolutely be taken into account when adjudicating for a child's best interest and no child should be under the custody of someone who abused them. I SUPPORT HB 81. It's disgraceful that someone who suffered enough to attempt or die or suicide would ever be treated like a criminal, and this kind of stigma is a barrier to getting help that would prevent suicide. I OPPOSE HB394. It was a joyous occasion in 2021 when Virginia abolished the death penalty, and we should never go back to the days that we still had that.

Oppose bill: The parents or guardians should Not be doing drugs in the first place. This is harm to the child’s mental and physical well being. Selfishness from the parents

I am writing to support this bill as using a legal substance should not be considered abuse or neglect. Keeping this as a way to label a child abused or neglected criminalizes the substance again and vilifies families for things the state has deemed legal. Pass HB833 and help ensure families are not torn apart for unnecessary reasons in the commonwealth of Virginia

I support this bill because using a legal substance is not abuse or neglect

Legal substances should be treated as such; legal. No child should be separated from their parent because their parent did something legal.

I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for House Bill HB833, which addresses a crucial aspect of child welfare and family dynamics. The proposed legislation, which states that a child shall not be considered an abused or neglected child based solely on the possession or consumption of legally authorized substances, is a commendable step towards ensuring fair and equitable treatment in custody and visitation cases. The bill acknowledges the importance of considering the best interests of the child while recognizing the rights of parents and caregivers who may responsibly possess or consume legally authorized substances. It is essential to move away from discriminatory practices that might unfairly impact families and individuals without a valid reason. By directing the Board of Social Services to amend regulations, guidance documents, and instructional materials, HB833 is not only making a legislative statement but also taking concrete steps to ensure that investigations and family assessments are conducted in accordance with the principles outlined in the bill. This demonstrates a commitment to aligning social services practices with evolving societal norms and legal standards. This legislation strikes a delicate balance between safeguarding the welfare of children and respecting the rights of parents. It sends a clear message that the legal use of authorized substances should not automatically be grounds for denying custody or visitation rights. This approach promotes fairness, reduces stigma, and fosters a more compassionate and understanding system. I urge you to support and champion HB833 to ensure its successful passage. By doing so, you will contribute to creating a legal framework that prioritizes the well-being of children while respecting the rights of individuals within our communities. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I trust that you will consider the positive impact this bill could have on families across our state.

I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for House Bill HB833, which addresses a crucial and often overlooked aspect of child welfare – the possession or consumption of legally authorized substances by parents or guardians. This bill takes a significant step towards ensuring that children are not unfairly deemed abused or neglected, and that custody or visitation rights are not unduly restricted based solely on the responsible party's legal use of substances. The proposed legislation rightly acknowledges that the mere possession or consumption of legally authorized substances should not be grounds for labeling a child as abused or neglected. By doing so, it recognizes the importance of distinguishing between responsible substance use and actual harm to the child. This distinction is critical in maintaining fairness and protecting the rights of parents or guardians while upholding the welfare of the child. Moreover, I appreciate the bill's directive to the Board of Social Services to amend regulations, guidance documents, and instructional materials accordingly. This proactive approach ensures that social services align with the updated legal framework and conduct investigations and family assessments in accordance with the provisions of the bill. In a society where legal substances are increasingly prevalent and accepted, it is imperative that our legal system adapts to these changes to safeguard the well-being of families. HB833 is a positive and necessary step towards achieving this balance. I urge you to lend your support to this important piece of legislation, as it not only protects the rights of parents but also ensures that children are placed in nurturing environments based on comprehensive assessments rather than arbitrary judgments. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I hope that you will stand behind HB833 to promote fairness, equity, and the best interests of our children.

Virginia Student Power Network is in strong support of this bill that helps to keep families together by ensuring that no one can be denied custody or visitation based solely on legal and responsible use and/or possession of authorized substances. This bill positively impacts families in the Commonwealth.

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Our Harrisonburg/Rockingham County community is one of only two jurisdictions of our size in the commonwealth that does not have a public defender's office, and our pool of court appointed attorneys available to represent indigent clients has shrunk dramatically. Please give an approval your full consideration.

I am writing to ask you to please establish a Public Defender Office in Harrisonburg/Rockingham Co. The number of attorneys willing to be a Court Appointed Attorney has dropped dramatically in our area since the pandemic. Our Commonwealth Attorney, Marsha Garst, has gone on record supporting the establishment of the office. It would reduce appealable convictions that cost the locality both time and money. Please vote YES for HB1014 and give this office to the 2nd largest locality in the State that current does not have this service. Thank you.

Hb1311 vote yes

Comments Document

I am in support of House Bill 1311. We need this bill along with more legislation to protect victims of domestic abuse against perpetrators having the legal system on their side to drag and abuse their victim further with Virginia courts. I am currently entrapped in an abusive marriage. The protective order I have in place is not enough because the bullying, intimidation, and threats continue through his coercive controlling behaviors while violating court orders without consequences. He refuses to let me go amicably, has gotten in my face with his violent temper, refuses to contribute to the joint household living expenses, withholds his income and forces me to pay all the bills, has threatened to put me and my mother out of my home and have me continue to pay all the bills while he lives in the house, and has threatened to force me to pay for life insurance premiums naming him as the beneficiary for his benefit. I am in survival mode daily in an unsafe situation. Passing HB 1311 is a start to address the legal trap holding me in an abusive marriage against my will longer than I need to be. There is a lack of protection by law to recognize the many forms of domestic violence such as emotional abuse, mental abuse, psychological abuse, and financial abuse as cruelty and willful constructive desertion and abandonment. I need legal protection to get out safely NOW, not a year from now. I should not be forced to live in fear with this man another minute, not have full protection under the law from all forms of abuse, nor should I have to wait a whole year after establishing a separation date before I am granted freedom from the abuser. On your watch, please do not allow domestic violence victims to remain entrapped for a whole year to prolong the emotional, mental, physical, psychological, and financial abuse giving time for things to potentially escalate to physical injuries and/or domestic homicides.

I oppose all these unconstitutional, dangerous, and pointless laws.