Legislators Seek Funding for Domestic Violence Programs

California legislators are coming together in support of emergency legislation that calls for one-time funding for domestic violence programs and shelters statewide.

The legislation, authored by Sen. Leland Yee (D- San Francisco), calls for a transfer of $16.3 million from the Victims' Compensation Fund to the Department of Public Health's Domestic Violence Program.  The Victim's Compensation Fund currently has about $136 million.

The Legislature had previously allocated $16.3 million for the Domestic Violence Program, but Governor Schwarzenegger completely eliminated the funding as one of his line-item vetoes.

Cameron Smyth (R-Santa Clarita), who signed on to co-author the legislation, stressed the importance of funding the program, stating "it provides critical services to victims of domestic abuse, and often is the only thing keeping them from returning to their abusers."  Smyth went on to say that "The program has proven successful, and this legislation will ensure that 94 domestic violence shelters in California are able to remain open."

The Domestic Violence Program provides the funds needed to provide emergency shelter, legal advocacy, transitional housing, counseling, assistance with restraining orders, and other essential support services to victims of domestic violence and abuse.

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