A bill to create a task force to investigate fatal and near-fatal domestic violence incidents in Mississippi has cruised through the state Senate without a dissenting vote.
Senate Bill 2886, or the “Mississippi Domestic Fatality Violence Review Team Law,” authored by Sen. Brice Wiggins, R-Pascagoula, launches a statewide coalition under the umbrella of the Department of Public Safety. The goal is to curb instances of domestic violence and improve responses to incidents through a structured review process, per the legislation’s text.
“Domestic violence is, to say the least, a very serious issue in our state,” Wiggins said. “We are trying to get a handle on this.”
Studies show that 39.7% of Mississippi women and 31.7% of Mississippi men experience partner physical violence in their lifetime. An even more troubling reality is that if these incidents involve strangulation, the likelihood of the abuser eventually killing the victim skyrockets.
This bill, according to Wiggins, was inspired by conversations with domestic violence survivors as well as those looking to make a positive change. Under the guidelines of the legislation, the statewide task force created would consist of at least five members, including the public safety commissioner.
The commissioner, a position currently held by Sean Tindell, would appoint task force members and schedule meetings. Circuit teams would also be created at the local level. Wiggins’ bill recommends the various committees to represent Mississippi’s racial, geographic, rural, and economic diversity.
The review teams would assess events leading up to instances of fatal or near-fatal domestic violence occurrences and compile recommendations that would boost early intervention efforts and proper responses to aid victims. Putting this into legal statute would ensure that law enforcement, judges, district attorneys, and similar officeholders collaborate with community organizations when seeking solutions.
Members of these teams would be protected from lawsuits when acting as witnesses or investigators in an official capacity. Information reviewed by the statewide task force and circuit teams would be protected from legal discovery to protect investigations.
SB 2886 currently sits in the House Public Health and Human Services Committee where it will be reviewed. If enacted into law, the bill will go into effect on July 1.
