RALEIGH -- A far-reaching bill aimed at combating domestic violence, from increasing abusers' punishments to studying victims' needs, was introduced Monday -- the first proposed legislation from the House Select Committee on Domestic Violence.

The bill's measures include requiring abusers on probation to attend treatment programs and increasing domestic violence training for law enforcement officers. The bill also makes strangulation resulting in physical injury a felony, a measure that has been sought for years by victims' advocates, who say strangulation is often a precursor to murder.

"It has just been very rewarding for me personally to know we're going to put forth some legislation that will have a human impact," said Rep. Marian McLawhorn, D-Pitt County, one of the committee's co-chairmen. "It has the ability, we hope, to save lives."

Leslie Starsoneck, executive director of the N.C. Council for Women and Domestic Violence Commission, applauded the committee's efforts. Starsoneck praised lawmakers' commitment and work on the package as well as their willingness to open the process to interest and advocacy groups.

"One of the most important things about this committee is that it is so broad in [its] recommendations," Starsoneck said. "They have an awareness that many victims never turn to the justice system."

One of the measures increases funding for domestic violence programs across the state by requiring defendants to pay a $100 fee when protective orders are issued. It would create an additional $2 million to be doled out to the programs, which have seen no funding increase since 1997 but have seen the need for their services jump 35 percent, said Beth Froehling, a public policy specialist with the N.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Gov. Mike Easley's proposed budget also calls for $300,000 in additional funding for domestic violence programs.

The total cost of the legislation is unknown, but a final fiscal note -- a document that puts a price tag on a legislative bill -- is expected next week.

The committee was created in response to a series of articles on domestic violence published last year in The News & Observer after a string of domestic violence slayings. The N&O's series detailed how those who killed their domestic partners faced little punishment for incidents of abuse leading up to homicides and often had their charges dismissed.

The other measures include:

* Asking the state Board of Education to study anti-violence education in schools and training for teachers.

* Providing legal representation to domestic violence victims seeking restraining orders and custody of their children.

* Requesting the state Department of Health and Human Services to study the mental health and substance abuse needs of domestic victims.

* Lowering the number of prior convictions for an abuser to face a charge of habitual misdemeanor assault -- from five to two.

* Allowing officers without a warrant to arrest a defendant who violates any condition of pretrial release, such as having contact with the victim while out on bond for another assault charge.

* Permitting judges to award custody to victims during domestic violence protective order hearings when children are at risk for physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

* Prohibiting employment discrimination against domestic violence victims attending court hearings.