Floor Situation

H.Res. 82 is being considered on the floor under a motion to suspend the rules, requiring a two-thirds majority vote for passage. This legislation was introduced by Representative Ted Poe (R-TX) on January 22, 2009.

Bill Summary

H.Res. 82 resolves that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that:

• "National Stalking Awareness Month provides an opportunity to educate the people of the United States about stalking;
  • "all Americans should applaud the efforts of the many victim service providers, police, prosecutors, national and community organizations, and private sector supporters for their efforts in promoting awareness about stalking; and
  • "policymakers, criminal justice officials, victim service and human service agencies, college campuses and universities, nonprofits, and others should recognize the need to increase awareness of stalking and the availability of services for stalking victims; and
• "the House of Representatives urges national and community organizations, businesses in the private sector, and the media to promote awareness of the crime of stalking through National Stalking Awareness Month."

Background

Stalking is a crime under federal law and under the laws of all 50 States and the District of Columbia, and there are national organizations, local victim service organizations, prosecutors' offices, and police departments who currently assist stalking victims and work to craft responses to stalking.  According to the resolution, 81 percent of women, who are stalked by an intimate partner, are also physically assaulted by that partner, and 76 percent of women, who are killed by an intimate partner, were also stalked by that intimate partner.  Furthermore, one in four victims reported that stalkers had used technology, such as e-mail or instant messaging, to follow and harass them, and one in 13 said stalkers had used electronic devices to intrude on their lives. 

On January 23, 2008, the House considered similar legislation, H.Res. 852, which passed by voice vote under suspension of the rules.  The Senate did not consider H.Res. 852.