Continued - LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF
DELEGATE BARBARA EVANS FLEISCHAUER, 1994-2004

The Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Act was a comprehensive reform bill addressing procedures for domestic violence cases as well as requiring education and training of numerous professionals. Like the Equal Pay for Equal Work for State Employees Act, it was preceded by two years of study by legislative interim committees and discussion by numerous affected groups and individuals. It was adopted from a Model Domestic Violence bill and brought West Virginia law to the forefront of states on the issues it addressed. Equally significant on the domestic violence issue, Barbara Fleischauer spearheaded the campaign to secure increased funding for domestic violence shelters. Her efforts contributed to a change from limited one-year grants to shelters to a continuing line item which amounts to one million dollars every year. An amendment she drafted in 2003 tacking on a fee to a funding bill for Courthouse security resulted in a huge funding increase for legal services for domestic violence victims.

As a delegate, Barbara was a sponsor and advocate for numerous health related issues. For years, she advocated passage of a strong Patient Protection Act and a Mental Health Parity Act. With Governor Bob Wise's added advocacy, both of these bills became reality. Mrs. Fleischauer also achieved passage of legislation regulating alternative professions, including acupuncture and massage therapy. She led the charge for passage of the Osteoporosis Prevention and Education Act and was instrumental in obtaining funding for this program. At $150,000 per year, this funding level is among the highest in the nation for a state the size of West Virginia. Because West Virginia has among the highest percentage of elderly citizens, the number of persons suffering from this painful affliction is quite high, so there is a great need for more information.