Nadgas Law: The California Domestic Violence Database Law California We Need Your Support: One Person Can Make a Difference

Every 12 seconds a woman is beaten in this country as the result of domestic violence. The FBI reports that domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 to 44—more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined. California has the special opportunity to help protect women and children and promote healthy families. One letter can make a difference!

The present antiquated laws are doing little to prevent or deter domestic abuse. This bill will send a strong message to domestic abusers and to what would be potential abusers that domestic abuse will not be tolerated and that their violent past will not go unnoticed by the general public.

We need letters of support as your opinion does matter California. Please fax or e-mail letters of support to Assemblywoman Fiona Ma today. I have included a sample letter here for you to use. One person, one letter can make a life saving difference!

Here is some background information on the bill.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTIONAND RIGHT-TO-KNOW ACT OF 2008
Assembly Bill 1771 (Ma)


According to the Department of Justice, more than 180,000 Californians call in each year for assistance in dealing with domestic violence, and more than half of those calls involve a weapon. By the time a call comes in it could be too late.

California can reduce the number of domestic violence incidents by providing information about prior convictions online, and by providing potential victims with useful tools to avoid violence. This information is already public; any person with means can hire a private investigator to conduct a search. However, many Californians are without the means or ability to secure such services and deserve to know if a potential partner could place them at risk.

The Domestic Violence Prevention and Right-to-Know Act of 2008, also known as “Nadga’s Law,” would require the following:

1. The Attorney General would develop an online database that would report the name, date of birth, county and date of conviction for individuals convicted of felony domestic violence or multiple counts of misdemeanor domestic violence. The database would keep updated information available for 10 years.

2. The Superior Court of a county would be required, without charge, to provide additional information to a requester about a domestic violence conviction.

3. The prior conviction could be used to secure a restraining order against the individual.

4. A new assessment would be placed on domestic violence convictions to provide additional funding for domestic violence programs.

With this simple change, Californians will be able to protect themselves and their loved ones from violence.

CONTACT
Bill Barnes, Chief of Staff or Nick Hardeman, Legislative Director
Office of Assembly Majority Whip Fiona Ma
916-319-2012

Fax: 916-319-2112

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Sample support letter...It is really this simple!

Your Name

City, State

Re: Support for CA AB 1771

To Whom it May Concern:

I support CA AB 1771. Please vote in favor of CA AB 1771; The Domestic Violence Prevention and Right-to-Know Act of 2008, also known as Nadga’s Law. It is long overdue.

Sincerely,

Your signature

Fax support letters to 916.319.2112 or 916.941.7216