Bill targets loophole in law on protective orders
AUSTIN – Legislation that would keep protective orders in force for some of the most egregious and continuing acts of family violence has cleared the Texas Senate and is on its way to the House.
Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, a McAllen Democrat whose district includes the Coastal Bend, said Senate Bill 712 would close a loophole that leaves some domestic violence victims and their families at risk. The measure cleared the Senate on Monday.
“Currently, a ‘permanent’ protective order in Texas lasts up to two years,” Hinojosa said. “Courts may allow long-term protective orders, if there have been either two prior protective orders involving the same parties or if the offender has caused serious bodily injury to the victim.
“However, these two options do not include lethal family violence felony offenses such as strangulation, continuous violence against the family, continuous violation of a protective order, or enhanced assault family violence, among other felonies,” he added. “S.B. 712 will now include these offenses to better protect victims.”
Read more: http://www.caller.com/story/news/local/texas/state-bureau/2017/04/04/bill-targets-loophole-law-protective-orders/100043284/
