SB 5718 - DIGEST

Declares an intent that when courts issue protection orders for victims of domestic violence, victims receive information on and access to temporary, short-term financial assistance to assist victims with the immediate, necessary financial means to further safety of victims and their dependents.

Declares that, in order to provide some victims of domestic violence who have sought orders of protection with financial resources when domestic violence perpetrators control the victim's access to money and other resources, the department shall administer a diversion assistance program for qualified domestic violence victims.

Declares that the maximum amount of allowable assistance provided to a petitioner under this act shall be the same as that established for other categories of recipients of the diversion assistance program.

Requires diversion assistance to include a cash payment, based on alleged need, to enable the petitioner to obtain emergency relief including, but not limited to: (1) Housing;

(2) Food;

(3) Child care;

(4) Medical costs;

(5) Transportation-related expenses;

(6) Attorneys' fees reasonably related to the domestic violence; and

(7) Employment-related expenses which are necessary to keep or obtain paid employment.

Directs the department of social and health services to collect data on the domestic violence recipients of the diversion assistance program. The department shall analyze the data collected and present a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature no later than December 1, 2007.