March 31, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mel@melfranklin.net

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY COUNCILMAN MEL FRANKLIN URGES GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ADOPT AMBER’S LAW TO PROTECT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS

With only days left in the 2017 Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly, Prince George’s County Councilman Mel Franklin (D-District 9) is urging the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee to pass House Bill 1163 (HB1163), known as Amber’s Law, to the full Maryland Senate for adoption.  The bill has already received House approval.  Amber’s Law, named after domestic violence victim and Prince George’s County, MD resident, Amber Schinault, murdered in 2012, would authorize the Court to require an alleged abuser to wear an electronic monitoring device as a condition of pre-trial release.  In a letter to the Judicial Proceedings Committee, Franklin writes:

“It is not lost on me that Amber lived in my County, which unfortunately leads the State in reported domestic violence incidents.  Amber did everything that we advise domestic violence victims to do.  She sought the help of authorities and obtained a protective order.  Unfortunately, her murderer did not respect this court document.  HB1163 would give the Court an additional and powerful tool to ensure the safety of domestic violence victims and create a stronger deterrent against further attacks by a perpetrator.”  He further writes that, “[i]t is tragic that Amber lost her life in such a monstrous act.  But we all can ensure that this crime does not go unanswered and that future victims have more protection from their abusers after they seek help from authorities.”

HB1163 is still in the Judicial Proceedings Committee and cannot advance unless the Committee moves it to the Senate floor.  The committee is chaired by Senator Robert (Bobby) Zirkin and includes Prince George’s County members, Senator C. Anthony Muse and Senator Victor Ramirez.

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