S9 would let sexual-assault survivors request emergency protection orders after hours, committee hears

The Judiciary committee on Tuesday took up S9, a bill that would require the court administrator to establish procedures to allow after-hours requests for emergency protection orders in sexual-assault cases. Michelle Childs, who presented the bill language to the committee, said the proposal models after existing after-hours procedures for domestic or family abuse orders and would apply the same access to orders against sexual assault.

"This particular language is ... the court administrator shall establish procedures to ensure access to orders against sexual assault," Childs said, describing the bill's framework. Under the language discussed, applicants could submit requests electronically; an affidavit could be sworn by telephone; an authorized court employee would convey the affidavit to a judicial officer by phone or electronic means; and…