FRANKFORT, Ky. — Lawmakers have prefiled a bipartisan bill they say will be a lifeline for victims of domestic violence and abuse.

Rep. Nima Kulkarni (D, Louisville) and Rep. Samara Heavrin (R, Leitchfield) presented what has been filed as Bill Request 407 with supporting testimony before fellow lawmakers in September. 

"The bill would essentially allow survivors or those experiencing domestic violence, intimate partner abuse, dating violence, stalking or sexual assault to be eligible for unemployment benefits if they have to leave their current workplace because of that abusive situation," Kulkarni told Spectrum News 1 Monday. 

A legislative fact sheet shows one in three women and one in eight men in Kentucky experience partner abuse each year. 

Jillian Carden, executive director of Silver Leaf Sexual Trauma Recovery Services testified about the legislation. 

"The assault can last for minutes, but the impact can last a lifetime," said Carden. "Victims want to work. They want a better life. They want to pay bills. They want to be good parents and they want to be productive community members." 

Katie Showalter, assistant professor at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work, said abusive partners may control victims' finances and employment. 

"My research shows that when you are experiencing intimate partner violence, you can be unemployed for up to six years, even after that abuse ends," she said. 

Kulkarni said she has prefiled the legislation several times before, but she is hopeful it will move forward.

"If a person finds themselves in a situation where they want to leave and they can leave, this would allow them to do so, without having to worry about not getting that next paycheck, not being able to maybe put a down payment on an apartment or being able to buy food for the next few days," she said. 

The bill would require documentation of the abuse, like hospital or police records or a sworn statement, according to Kulkarni.