Number: RL30871
Title: Violence Against Women Act: History and Federal Funding
Authors: Garrine P. Laney, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: Bills have been introduced in the 110th Congress that would prohibit insurance discrimination against victims of domestic violence as well as provide services for them. On July 29, 2008, S. 1515 was reported with a substitute amendment. The original VAWA, enacted in 1994 as Title IV of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act (P.L. 103-322), established within DOJ and HHS discretionary grant programs for state, local, and Indian tribal governments. The Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (VAWA 2000; P.L. 106-386), reauthorized many VAWA programs, set new funding levels, and created new grant programs to address sexual assaults on campuses and assist victims of domestic abuse. The Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-36) and the PROTECT Act (P.L. 108-21) authorized funding of both HHS and DOJ transitional housing assistance programs for victims of domestic violence.
Pages: 56
Date: August 7, 2008