August 22, 2013
The Issaquah City Council took the first steps in setting an increased penalty for domestic violence that was first discussed in a May goal-setting retreat.
The council voted on an ordinance in the Aug. 5 regular meeting that would mandate a minimum of 30 days imprisonment to those committing domestic violence in the presence of children.
“In an effort to break the cycle of domestic violence, protect children in domestic violence situations and rehabilitate abusers, the following ordinance is proposed to strengthen our current domestic violence laws,” the agenda bill reads. “This ordinance would make it a gross misdemeanor to commit a domestic violence offense in the presence of a child.”