BOSTON - A bill that would toughen the penalties for domestic abuse cleared the Senate Committee on Ways and Means yesterday, and should be voted on by the Senate sometime this month.

The bill, drafted by Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett, calls for an increase from 2 1/2 years in the House of Correction to as much as five years in state prison for abusers.

"This legislation is critical to helping further protect victims and their families from domestic batterers, and represents an important advance in trying to stop the cycle of violence," Blodgett said. "By lengthening prison sentences of domestic abusers, many of whom are serial batterers, victims would remain safer for longer periods of time."

Lead sponsor Sen. Frederick E. Berry, D-Peabody, said he fought hard for the bill.

"I had several conversations with (Ways and Means) Chairwoman Therese Murray and her staff to impress upon them the importance of the legislation," Berry said. "We are committed to giving prosecutors and police all the tools they need to combat domestic violence in Massachusetts."

The vote should occur this month; April was recently named Crime Victim's Rights Month in the state by Gov. Mitt Romney.