HORRY COUNTY, S.C (WBTW) — South Carolina lawmakers are less than a month away from the new legislative session and some are already looking to strengthen protections for domestic violence victims.
One proposed bill would allow courts to place ankle monitors on abusers, alerting victims if their abuser comes within a certain distance of them.
Right now, South Carolina does not have a state mandated law allowing courts to put ankle monitors on those facing domestic violence charges. With this proposed bill though, a judge could choose for a defendant to either pay bond or pay for an ankle monitor.
“You’re actually just adding that layer of protection so they can go on with their daily lives and not be in fear constantly,” Rep. William Bailey said.
Bailey, who represents Little River introduced House bill 3028 . A bill he says he’s been trying to get it passed for five years.
He says since then, other states have passed similar bills.
“Between the period of time when someone is arrested for domestic violence and when they actually go to court, that’s the most vulnerable time that there could be for additional violence to occur,” he said.