People in Montana who are out of work because of domestic violence will soon be able to get the same unemployment benefits as others who lose their jobs.
Since 2001, Montanans who are forced to leave their jobs to escape an abusive relationship or a stalker have been entitled to unemployment benefits, but only for ten weeks, not the 28 weeks available to someone who was fired or laid off.
Abbie Chermack of Helena’s Friendship House shelter says ten weeks is not enough time for a victim of violence or abuse to get back on their feet.
"It doesn’t happen in ten weeks, it does take a little longer to rebuild their life from a traumatic event such as violence that happens in the home."
Helena Representative Jenny Eck says the legislature at first was only willing to give abuse victims four more weeks of benefits, but the Governor rejected that version, and lawmakers agreed to 28 weeks instead.
"You know I think there’s just some underlying bias still in our society and that’s what we were maybe fighting against."
Eck sponsored the bill, which Governor Bullock signed on the front steps of the Friendship House this morning. The actual impact is small. Only about two dozen people a year cite domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking as the reason they’re out of work, but supporters say the message it sends is very important.