Relates to acts of domestic violence committed in the presence of children

Bill A 5579 establishes a new Class E felony offense for individuals who commit acts of domestic violence in the presence of a child aged 15 years or less. It defines "domestic violence crime" as intentionally committing a specified offense, such as various degrees of assault, menacing, or sexual abuse, against a member of the same family or household. The bill specifies who qualifies as a family or household member for these purposes. Any sentence imposed for this new felony would be served consecutively to the sentence for the underlying domestic violence offense.