Topeka — Two bills designed to combat stalking and domestic violence won Senate approval Saturday and went to Gov. Bill Graves.
Both measures arose out of efforts by Atty. Gen. Carla Stovall, some legislators and advocates for abuse victims to strengthen Kansas laws dealing with domestic violence and stalking.
The first bill makes it easier for those who believe they are being stalked to go to court for a protection order to prevent harassment or even contact by another person.
The second bill deals with similar "protection from abuse" orders in cases of domestic violence.
Current law says that two parties must have lived together or have had a child together for one to get such an order. The new measure would allow such orders when there has been only a "dating relationship."
Compromise versions of both measures were drafted by three senators and three House members appointed to reconcile differences between their chambers.
The anti-stalking measure was approved Friday by the House 119-1. The vote Saturday in the Senate was 34-5.
The other bill won House approval on a 120-0 vote Friday. The Senate vote Saturday was 39-1.
Anti-stalking bill is SB 474; domestic violence bill is SB 475.
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