In a bipartisan effort, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Secretary of State Michael Adams have joined forces to implement the Safe at Home Act, legislation designed to safeguard domestic violence survivors. Kentucky, a state grappling with a high incidence of domestic violence, will now offer enhanced address confidentiality to victims through this program.
Despite the upcoming statewide elections and their differing political affiliations, Beshear and Adams emphasized the importance of working together on this critical public safety issue. Adams praised the collaborative effort, stating that it demonstrates how officials can transcend party lines to address pressing problems and protect vulnerable citizens. This isn't their first collaboration; they previously worked together on election procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic and on expanding early voting access.
The Safe at Home Act expands an existing program by allowing victims to shield their new addresses from public records without a court order. Previously, the program only protected addresses on voter rolls. Now, victims can submit a sworn statement to have their addresses masked on a wider range of government records, using the Secretary of State's office as their official address. The program is free of charge.
Governor Beshear stressed the importance of collective action in addressing the domestic violence crisis, emphasizing the need for a united front. The law received overwhelming bipartisan support in the legislature and was signed into law earlier this year. Individuals seeking to participate in the program can apply through the Secretary of State's website.
