Lt. Governor Brown Honored by Women's Law Center
Brown receives Rosalyn B. Bell Award for his efforts to reduce domestic violence in Maryland and end violence against women
BALTIMORE, Md. (November 3, 2009) – Lt. Governor Brown was honored today at the Women’s Law Center of Maryland’s Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony with the Rosalyn B. Bell Award for his work during the 2009 legislative session to remove firearms from the hands of domestic abusers. The legislation passed by the General Assembly this year provides judges with an additional tool to ensure the safety of Maryland’s families by granting them authority to remove weapons from homes early during domestic violence proceedings.
“I am honored by this distinction and proud to stand up with our partners to fight back and end violence against women and children,” Lt. Governor Brown said. “Far too many Maryland families live in fear everyday, and Governor O’Malley and I are committed to protecting our neighbors by taking proactive efforts to improve their safety. Through our partnerships with advocates, victims, hospitals and concerned Marylanders, we can end domestic violence and prevent these senseless crimes and tragedies.”
The Women’s Law Center of Maryland has been working since 1971 to advocate for an equal playing field in the law for women and children. The Center fights to protect and preserve the rights of women by educating the public and the judiciary on the effects of legal decisions affecting women, by monitoring compliance with the law, by seeking to change unjust laws and unjust lawmaking, and by implementing innovative programs to yield systemic change.
Brown led the O’Malley-Brown efforts to pass two bills during the 2009 legislative session that increase protection for Maryland’s victims of domestic violence and remove guns from the hands of abusers. The new legislation went into effect October 1:
- Law requires a judge to order the respondent in a final protective order to surrender any firearms (handguns and long guns) in respondent’s possession and refrain from possessing any firearm for the duration of the protective order.
- Law authorizes (but does not require) a judge to order the respondent in a temporary protective order to surrender any firearms in the respondent’s possession and refrain from possessing any firearm for the duration of the temporary protective order.
Lt. Governor Brown honored Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a series of events across the State aimed to promote public awareness of domestic violence, enhance efforts to prevent abuse and educate Marylanders on the issue.
Last summer, Brown’s cousin Cathy was shot and killed in Montgomery Village by her estranged boyfriend.
View more photos from this event.
