Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) introduced two new bills. | senatorbryant.com
Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) introduced two new bills. | senatorbryant.com
Sen. Terri Bryant's recently took to Facebook to promote two bills she introduced that she said would ensure the safety of victims of domestic violence.
"Over the past few years, we have seen too many policies enacted that prioritize criminals in our justice system and ignore the victims of their crimes," Bryant posted.
Bryant posted a link to a news release on her official website concerning a press conference held by Sens. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg), Sally Turner (R-Beason), Sue Rezin (R-Morris), and Steve McClure (R-Springfield) that unveiled legislation to combat the fentanyl epidemic and ensure justice for victims of crime.
Bryant is sponsoring two bills to strengthen penalties for domestic battery against older individuals and to create a new criminal offense for domestic assault. Bryant emphasized the importance of prioritizing victims over criminals in the justice system and standing with them to fight for justice. The two new bills are Senate Bills 1974 and 1976.
Senate Bill 1974 Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 to raise the offense of domestic battery against a person aged 60 or older to Aggravated Domestic Battery.
Senate Bill 1976, filed on Feb. 9, by Bryant, creates a new criminal offense: Domestic Assault. This simplifies the process for law enforcement to prosecute domestic abusers who deliberately threaten to harm any member of their household. Furthermore, it mandates that defendants released before trial must be prohibited from contacting their victims or entering their residences for at least 72 hours.
"We need to send a signal to victims that we hear them, stand with them, and will fight for them to see justice," Bryant said.
Bryant was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2014, and was then elected to the Illinois Senate in 2020. Bryant represents the 58th Senate District which includes all or parts of Edwards, Franklin, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Marion, Monroe, Perry, Randolph, St. Claire, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, and White counties. She was chosen as Assistant Republican Leader for the Senate Republican Caucus in 2023.
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