BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Senators have unanimously supported bills to toughen penalties for domestic abuse.
New Orleans Sen. J.P. Morrell, who presented the measures Tuesday, said they could save lives in Louisiana, which leads the nation in domestic violence deaths.
Under one measure, domestic abuse aggravated assault would be labeled a crime of violence, lessoning the chance for parole or probation.
Another measure would prohibit an abuser under a protective order from possessing a firearm and those convicted of domestic abuse battery from possessing a gun for a decade.
A third measure would expedite the filing of protective orders.
The measures, by New Orleans Rep. Helena Moreno, already have approval from the House but must return there for approval of Senate amendments.
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House Bills 747, 750 and 753 can be found at www.legis.la.gov
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