In recent days, we’ve reported on the GOP’s drive to repeal a Minnesota law that prevents pay discrimination against women in the public sector, and we broke the news that a Republican legislator in Georgia seeks to reclassify victims of rape, stalking, and domestic violence as “accusers.”

These are only a couple of the many recent indications that the GOP fails to understand women’s concerns and issues.

But the news for women on the state level isn’t all bad. In fact, during the General Assembly session in Virginia, Democrats have been shepherding legislation forward that will better protect women (and men) from people in their lives who intend to do them harm.

Democratic House Leader (and DLCC board member) Ward Armstrong sponsored a bill that could dramatically improve the effectiveness of protective orders. This legislation would allow judges to require Virginians who have violated a protective order to wear GPS tracking devices set to alert law enforcement and the victim if the violator comes too close to the victim. Giving judges this option will be a valuable means of ensuring the safety of victims who have been subjected to threatening or violent behavior even after a protective order has been issued. After all, protective orders are valuable safety tools, but ultimately they’re just pieces of paper; they won’t stop bullets, knives, or fists. Alerting victims to the proximity of a protective order violator will help ensure that bullets, knives,and fists never get close enough to do any damage.

Delegate David Toscano sponsored legislation to expand the availability and enforcement of protective orders. His bill removes the requirement for a criminal warrant before someone is eligible for a non-family abuse protective order, outlines specific consequences for violations, and prevents violators from receiving an entirely suspended sentence. According to Del. Toscano, the bill “represents a substantial step forward in providing greater protection to individuals in dating relationships from abuse.”

Both bills have passed the Virginia House of Delegates and await action in the state Senate.

Time will tell if the GOP’s apparent tendency towards losing touch with women’s concerns and issues will continue. Meanwhile, watch this space for more updates on what Democratic state legislators are doing to actively address those concerns and issues.