Expungement Bill: Not Quite Dead Yet

The House of Delegates today revived a controversial measure that had been killed yesterday, a bill that would allow for the expunging of requests for domestic protective orders that were dismissed.

The body voted to reconsider the bill on a 76 to 63 vote, deciding to ask the House Judiciary Committee to take another look at the bill to see if it can be amended to suit opponents.

Supporters of the measure had argued that abuse accusations carry such a stigma that allowing records to remain public in cases that have been deemed unfounded unfairly hurts innocent people as they seek employment or housing.

Opponents countered that requests for protective orders are often dismissed because battered victims, usually women, are too scared or intimidated to pursue the matter.

By Rosalind Helderman |  March 11, 2009; 4:03 PM ET  | Category:  Rosalind Helderman
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