Conklin highlights bills at Capitol news conference to combat domestic violence
Joins advocates, survivors and other lawmakers to raise awareness
Rep. Scott Conklin October 1, 2024 | 2:56 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – As Pennsylvania and the nation begin observing Domestic Violence Awareness Month, state Rep. Scott Conklin held a Capitol news conference today to highlight legislation he has introduced to prevent domestic abuse and protect survivors.
Conklin, D-Centre, discussed his bill that would allow electronic monitoring of domestic abusers and his newly introduced legislation that would bar convicted abusers from holding public office.
“The statistics involving domestic violence are grim,” Conklin said. “According to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in three women, one in four men and nearly half of LGBTQ+ people will experience this abuse in their lifetime. Sometimes, that abuse will turn deadly. Worse still, the statistics have been moving in the wrong direction.”
Conklin discussed how a friend’s murder prompted him to introduce H.B. 1982, which would permit the use of electronic ankle bracelets to monitor the movements of someone with a protection from abuse order.
“My long-time family friend – Traci Ann Raymond – was stalked and murdered by her estranged husband,” Conklin said. “If she had had more warning regarding his presence, Traci might still be alive today.”
Conklin also discussed his newly introduced legislation – H.B. 2580 – that would prohibit those convicted of domestic violence from holding public office.
“As lawmakers, we earn the respect of the people we represent by acting with integrity,” Conklin said. “Someone in office who has been convicted of domestic violence cannot be trusted to act ethically on behalf of domestic violence survivors.”
Also speaking at the event were Laura Shadle, who is a survivor of domestic violence; state Reps. Carol Hill-Evans, D-York, and Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester; and Deanna Dyer, policy director at the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Shusterman spoke about her proposal that would prohibit nondisclosure agreements regarding workplace abuse as a condition of employment.
Hill-Evans spoke about her H.B. 238, which would make it easier for a survivor to cancel a telephone contract shared with an abuser.