Reps. Labs and Powell introduce bipartisan effort to expand protections for victims of violent crimes
Allegheny County Delegation March 27, 2024 | 12:06 PM
HARRISBURG, March 27 – State Reps. Shelby Labs, R-Bucks, and Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, have introduced the Victims of Violence Relocation Act.
Under the legislation (H.B. 2162), eligible violent crime survivors would be entitled to relocation assistance and extend the timeframe for requesting such assistance from 90 to 180 days after the crime occurred. The legislators said this would allow survivors more time to access necessary support and ensure they can utilize federal documentation to validate their need for relocation.
“Increasing protections for all victims as they heal is vital,” said Labs. “This bipartisan legislation improves on the steps taken by Act 148 of 2018 and makes sure that more of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable can be supported and protected. I want to thank Representative Powell for partnering with me to introduce this crucial bill that protects victims of violent crime across the Commonwealth.”
“I’m proud to partner with Representative Labs to introduce this critical legislation that will ensure survivors of violent crime have the needed agency to navigate their recovery journey,” Powell added. “My heart breaks for these victims, and it’s imperative that we take steps to alleviate unnecessary burdens to help them address their trauma.”
The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence said one in three women, one in four men and nearly half of LGBTQ+ individuals will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.
Labs represents the 143rd Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, which includes the townships of Tinicum, Plumstead, Bedminster, Hilltown and New Britain (part) and the boroughs of Dublin, Silverdale, Sellersville, and Perkasie.
Powell represents the 21st Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, which includes parts of the city of Pittsburgh, Millvale and Etna boroughs, and Reserve and Shaler townships in Allegheny County.