New Bill Strengthens Charges for Domestic Violence Committed in Front of Children

Lawmakers in Salt Lake City are considering a bill that would multiple domestic violence charges against a person who commits an act of abuse or violence in front of children.

Under House Bill 275, a separate third-degree felony would be charged for every child present, and each child would qualify for restitution.

According to Rep. Kerry Gibson, the current laws on domestic violence only qualify restitution for one child, even if multiple children were present.  The new law would ensure that each child who bears witness to an act of domestic violence would qualify for restitution.

On Thursday, the bill was passed unanimously out of a House committee. Now it will go the House floor for more debate.

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