Safe at Home modified (new law)

For victims of domestic abuse, sometimes the best security is knowing their abuser doesn’t know where they are.

Signed into law in 2006, the Safe at Home program gives victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking some sense of comfort.

Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-St. Louis Park) described it as a witness protection program for victims. Run by the Office of the Secretary of State, the program provides a postal address victims can use for correspondence other than their actual address, which is known only by the secretary of state. The mail is then received by the secretary’s office and forwarded.

A new law, sponsored by Simon and Sen. Mee Moua (DFL-St. Paul) makes modifications to the program. The changes include allowing a participant in the program to consent to the release of their information to someone else; a new definition of “mail” to exclude junk mail; and an allowance for participants to use their Safe at Home address on a driver’s license or a state identification card.

There is also a required report from the secretary of state to the Legislature detailing how many participants are in the program.

Signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty April 24, the law is effective June 1, 2008.

HF2991/SF2642*/CH227