A set of laws designed to fight domestic violence will take effect today.
These laws will allow victims’ statements made at the time of the crime to be counted as evidence in the court, will honor personal protection orders issued in other states and will create a uniform standard for reporting domestic violence.
The laws also will protect people in a dating relationship, not just a marital or familial relationship.
One bill included in the package is a Senate bill sponsored by Sen. Valde Garcia, R-St. Johns. This bill will require the Michigan State Police Department to maintain a fingerprint database of people who have been arrested for domestic violence.
Bill could change porn penalties
A House bill aimed to curb child pornography seeks to increase the penalties for the crime and expand the definition of child pornography possession.
This bill would change penalties for possessing child pornography from a misdemeanor to a felony - raising the jail time from one year to four years. In addition, the law now would include virtual and computer-generated child pornography as part of its definition.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Gene DeRossett, R-Manchester, is on its second reading in the House.
Terrorism bill waiting on governor
A package of bills designed to defend against terrorism passed the Michigan Legislature on March 21.
This package includes bills to define and outline the crime of terrorism. It also gives law enforcement officers more tools to investigate and increases public safety measures.
Sen. William Van Regenmorter, R-Georgetown Township, sponsors one of the bills included in the package. He said the package creates standards that have not yet been addressed.
“Michigan law enforcement officers have been unable to effectively pursue, investigate and prevent terrorist activities because Michigan doesn’t really have an anti-terrorism law,” he said.
The bill will become law pending Gov. John Engler’s signature.
