Unemployment for domestic violence victims reconsidered

(The Center Square) – Victims of domestic violence are often forced to flee spaces familiar to their abusers.

For many, that includes the workplace.

Legislators in the House have revived a bill to address the potential loss of income faced by survivors.

The bill was first introduced last year by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Macungie, where it passed the House but was never brought to the floor for a final vote by Senate leadership. In the lower chamber, it received bipartisan support, though 43 Republicans opposed it.

This time, the bill is being sponsored by committee chairs Rep. Jason Dawkins, D-Philadelphia, and Rep. Seth Grove, R-York. In a fast-moving meeting, it passed unanimously from the committee.

Dawkins noted that the bill should have “no fiscal impact” on the coffers of the commonwealth.