A new law proposed in Tennessee may be beneficial for the safety of the public, but it could be turned down because of financial worries. The law, proposed by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, would see repeat offenders of domestic violence jailed for a minimum sentence of 45 days. The issue is that the recently released budget does not have enough funding allocated for the law to take effect without it costing local governments throughout the state.

If approved, the law would allow victims of domestic violence ample time to begin processes for separating the abuser from their life. By the time the abuser was released from prison, the victim could even have filed for divorce.

As this blog has previously reported, many are worried about the safety of domestic violence victims and, with this new law, the state legislature has responded. Along with repeat domestic abuse offenders, penalties will also be increased for drug abuse, gun violence and gang-related crimes. Approximately $6.8 million was allocated in the budget for these increased penalties.

The new law -- if passed -- will cost counties approximately $8.7 million to jail any repeat offenders. Those who are convicted of a second domestic violence charge will be placed in jail for 45 days. For three or more offenses, the penalty increases to 120 days in jail.

Tennessee has estimated that the new law will place approximately 3,000 people in jail. The costs of keeping those abusers behind bars will need to be accounted for if legislators want to put a dent in the detrimental effects of domestic abuse.

Support for the law exists, but people should continue to let lawmakers know how necessary it is. Until then, a victim of domestic violence by a spouse should work with a family law attorney if they want to file for divorce or a restraining order.

Source: The Tennessean, "Haslam's plan to jail domestic violence offenders may cost counties $9M," Brian Haas, Jan. 31, 2012