HB 1949-S.E - DIGEST

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 2/10/04)

Recognizes that there are numerous barriers that make it difficult for domestic violence victims to leave their abusers. One such barrier is the lack of financial resources for some domestic violence victims when domestic violence perpetrators often control their victims by, among other things, limiting the victim's access to money and other resources.

Declares an intent to provide courts discretion, when issuing protection orders, to grant domestic violence victims temporary financial assistance from the victim's abuser for the protection and safety of the victim and other family or household members sought to be protected.

Restrains any party from transferring, removing, encumbering, concealing, or in any way disposing of any shared or joint property except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life, and, if appropriate, requiring the person so restrained to notify the petitioner, in a manner deemed appropriate by the court, of any proposed extraordinary expenditures made after the order is issued.