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Abstract: 

New domestic violence laws in Maine and California address a number of important domestic violence related issues. A series of domestic violence homicides during the summer of 2011 created a tipping point of outrage in Maine communities, building wide-ranging support for domestic violence initiatives in the 2012 Maine legislative session. These initiatives also reflected strong advocacy by Governor Paul LePage. Legislators reacted to the wave of domestic violence related deaths by enacting a number of laws that strengthen procedures for setting the conditions of bail, as well as address risk assessment, strangulation, and offender release notifications. California faced different problems, which are enumerated and discussed.

Keywords: evidence-based risk assessment; victim notification when offender released on bail; strangulation assault; economic consequences faced by abusers during divorce proceedings; confiscation of firearms; victims’ ability to access existing programs and

Affiliations:  1: Maine Coalition of End Domestic Violence; 2: California Partnership to End Domestic Violence.