The Senate Tuesday evening passed a pair of measures that provide dating partners, including those in same sex relationships, the same protection in domestic abuse cases as spouses are afforded.
House Bill 223 by Rep. Helena Moreno, D-New Orleans, which passed 23-14, had amended on the House floor to define dating partners as “any person who has been or is involved in a sexual or intimate relationship characterized by the expectation of affectionate involvement” regardless of living arrangements or financial status.
Under current law, dating partners involved in domestic abuse cases only may be charged with simple battery, not domestic abuse battery which carries more severe penalties.
Louisiana is one of nine states that does not currently recognize dating partners and does not allow them the same protections as spouses.
The House Bill 223 creates a new section of law for dating partners, which is the same as the domestic abuse law, except it does not ban the guilty partner from owning a firearm for 10 years.
The presence of a firearm in an abusive relationship increases the chances of a homicide in that relationship by about 500 percent, according to the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Moreno’s bill would trigger a federal ban on firearm possession for more intense acts of violence like burning or strangling, or for repeat offenders.
House Bill 27 by Rep. Patrick Connick, R-Marrero, changes the definition of “household member” in domestic violence cases to include couples involved in sexual or intimate relationships, regardless of sexual orientation. The companion measure passed the Senate, 25-13.
Both bills now head to the governor for his expected signature and into law.