The National Survivor Financial Security Policy Map and Scorecard

Tennessee recently passed legislation that expands the state’s definition of domestic violence to include financial abuse and leads the way in the most robust definition of financial abuse in the nation. Senate Bill 979 (2023)

Rhode Island's new law, in addition to preventing a harm-doer from abusive litigation and paying associated attorney’s fees, the harm-doer will be ordered to pay additional damages such as transportation costs, lost wages, and child care incurred due to the abusive litigation. SB 604A (2023)

Vermont’s litigation abuse protections bill has recently passed and will take effect starting September 2023. This includes a list of protections for survivors who are being subjected to further harm through abusive litigation (e.g. when the harm doer is using litigation for the purpose of causing harm to the survivor or maintaining contact with them). HB 45 (2023)

Oregon's bill includes an exemption in reporting to law enforcement requirements for domestic violence survivors. SB 1039 (2023)

California signed into law important legislation that helps survivors get relief from coerced debt. A survivor will be able to submit a "right of action" claim. (ie. providing documentation) to a creditor (i.e. a credit card company) to show the debt was due to coercion. SB 975 (2022)

North Carolina’s bill would protect survivors from coerced debt and would also add the ability for a survivor to sue a harm-doer for the amount of debt incurred in their name, plus attorney’s fees and costs. HB 561 (2023)

Arizona’s bill would expand on current law to allow for a more expansive list of documentation such as letters from qualified 3rd parties; therapists, victim advocates, health professionals, and social workers as evidence. This change would make their current rental protections more accessible to all survivors. SB 1644 (2023)

New Hampshire’s bill would include economic abuse tactics such as interfering with a survivor’s job and controlling their paychecks and assets. HB 549 (2023)

Connecticut's bill would prevent a landlord from discriminating against someone based on their status as a survivor. Raised Bill 906 (2023)

Montana’s will would create a paid sick leave policy that would include safe leave for survivors. HB 386 (2023)