News : Safe at Home: Local leaders discuss how to protect victims under new law

[VIDEODuring the 2015 legislative session, Iowa became one of many states to enact a “Safe at Home” law for victims of domestic abuse, stalking and other crimes.

The bill will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2016.

Now, state and local leaders are discussing the best way to implement the program – making sure that domestic violence, sexual abuse stalking and human trafficking victims have a private mailing address for elections and other first-class mail.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate visited Vinton on Wednesday, along with Rep. Dawn Pettengill and Rep. Dean Fisher, who represents Tama County. Fisher introduced the legislation at the request of one of his constituents. Pettengill was one of the co-sponsors of the legislation, which unanimously passed in both the Iowa House and Senate before being signed by Gov. Terry Branstad three weeks ago.

City and county leaders and law enforcement representatives throughout the state are being invited to these meetings to allow more input on how to best protect victims from their abusers or stalkers while still making sure they have full access to all government services.

The Secretary of State’s Office shared the below video with Benton County authorities:

[VIDEO]