For Immediate Release

Contact: Elisa Rivera

(209) 726-5495 Elisa.Rivera@sen.ca.gov

Media Advisory

Senator Anna M. Caballero Announces Legislation to Protect Survivors of Domestic Violence and their Children

Sacramento- Senator Anna M. Caballero (D-Merced) introduced new legislation to create safe spaces for custodial visitation, furthering her commitment to champion protections for survivors of domestic violence. Senate Bill 599- Safe and Secure Visitation will authorize superior court locations to serve as supervised visitation and exchange locations for custodial visits, as a means to prioritize the safety of all children and adults during custodial visits. This bill also provides options for virtual visitation, or no visitation, when the custodial parent and children are living in a confidential location as the result of a restraining order due to prior domestic abuse.

“We have all read the horrific stories of violence and death that has occurred during routine visitations and exchanges. Children and domestic violence survivors have the right to be safe, especially after they have made the difficult decision to leave an abusive partner. SB 599 is a simple, yet significant prevention strategy to reduce the risk of violence, and lives can be saved.” –Senator Anna Caballero, Senate District 14

“SB 599 is a common-sense approach to reducing risk in cases given the prevalence of firearms and the many lives that have been lost or impacted by gun violence. We applaud this effort and the Senator’s leadership to better protect children and families and California.” -Julia Weber, Consultant with Giffords

For interviews or inquiries, please contact Elisa Rivera at (209) 726-5495

Senator Anna M. Caballero represents the 14^th Senate District, composed of majority portions of Merced, Fresno and Madera Counties.

* Senator Anna M. Caballero serves as the Interim Representative for the Salinas Valley and San Benito County until 2024 when a newly elected Senator will assume the district