Rep. Bronna Kahle today voted in support of a bipartisan plan strengthening protections for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking and stalking in Michigan.

The measures approved by the House today are part of a proposal allowing survivors to keep their addresses private in public databases – making it more difficult for their perpetrators to discover where they live.

The address confidentiality plan would give participants a substitute address – usually a post office box – to use in place of their physical home address. The substitute address could be used wherever an address is required by a local government, school, court or other public agency. Mail sent to the substitute address would then be forwarded to the participant’s actual address by the state.

“The ability for survivors to keep their addresses secret from abusers and stalkers can be a matter of life and death,” said Kahle, of Adrian. “Most other states already have enacted this sort of common-sense reform, and I am pleased to help Michigan do the same – giving survivors more tools to help protect themselves. These changes will help provide peace of mind as survivors continue to reclaim their lives after escaping an abusive situation.”

With Kahle’s support, the House today overwhelmingly approved Senate Bills 70-76. Other measures in the package are House Bills 5054-58.

Kahle said she will fight for the measures to be finalized and sent to the governor for her consideration by the end of the month.