COLUMBUS – The Ohio House Wednesday approved legislation that would shield the addresses of victims of domestic violence, stalking and other crimes from use by government agencies.
The bill, spearheaded by two central Ohio lawmakers, would let victims apply for a confidential post office box address from the Ohio secretary of state if they’re worried about attackers tracking them down.
The address could be used when registering to vote or for any business with a government agency, such as a city water department, school or public university. The secretary of state’s office would forward mail to the real address daily.
Victims of sexual assault and human trafficking could also apply.
If passed by the Ohio Senate, Ohio will become the 38th state to have an address confidentiality program.
Under the provisions of the bill, co-sponsored by Representatives Mike Duffey (R-Worthington), left, and Anne Gonzales (R-Westerville), right, the victim’s true address is protected, allowing her to register to vote, register a vehicle and complete other government forms without disclosing a home address to an abuser searching public records online.
“Since introduction of this bill I have had victims call my office telling me they wish this program existed when they decided to leave their abuser,” said Gonzales.
Among those pushing for the bill’s passage is Marcia Eakin, whose ex-husband killed their two children and her mother after stalking her in northeastern Ohio.
“The Eakin case is perhaps the most extreme I’ve ever heard of as it relates to domestic violence, but whether the abuse leads to murder or not, we know that protecting victims means separation from their abusers and address confidentiality is a key tool in achieving that goal,” Duffey said.
Participants’ true addresses are available only to governmental agencies “on a need-to-know basis,” such as county boards of elections to verify voter eligibility, the Secretary of State’s office to administer the program and law enforcement officials for legal purposes or to provide emergency protection, Duffey and Gonzales said.
The program permits participants to request their employer, school or college to use the confidential address assigned to them.