House of Representatives

HB 2232

domestic violence shelter; confidential communications

Sponsors: Representatives Somers, Pickens,

O'Halleran, Allen, et al.

DPAS/E	Committee on Health
X	Committee on Judiciary
	Caucus and COW
	Third Read
	As Passed the House

HB 2232 establishes a communications privilege between victims of domestic violence and domestic violence advocates, clarifies who may claim the privilege and adds minimum training requirements for domestic violence advocates.

Current Status

HB 2232 passed the Health Committee with a strike-everything amendment establishing a privilege between a domestic violence advocate and a domestic violence victim.

History

Currently, within a domestic violence shelter communications between victims and certified staff members are presumed to be confidential. However, there can sometimes be confusion as to the confidentiality of communications within the shelter when unlicensed staff members participate in assisting the victim. This can result in legal complications when a shelter releases information considered to be confidential or withholds information that is not confidential.

HB 2232 establishes a privilege between domestic violence victims and domestic violence advocates to make these communications confidential.

A Strike-Everything amendment will be offered to HB 2232 with the following provisions:

· Establishes a privilege for communications between a domestic violence advocate and a victim of domestic violence.

· Defines the following terms: “domestic violence advocate,” “domestic violence” and “center for domestic violence services.”

The Strike-Everything amendment was adopted in the Health Committee.

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45th Legislature

Second Regular Session 2 February 5, 2002

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