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House approves bill to allow single‑court protective orders for children
Summary
Substitute House Bill 80 passed the House overwhelmingly to let survivors obtain protective orders for themselves and their children in one court, a change sponsors said will reduce duplication and frustration for victims of domestic abuse.
Representative Paula Julander described Substitute House Bill 80 as the outcome of a two‑year task‑force study and explained that the substitute consolidates jurisdiction so that a parent and child can obtain protective orders in a single court instead of filing separate actions in juvenile and district courts.
Julander said the amendments ensure communication between the courts and allow both child and adult protective orders to be filed and resolved in the same venue. Supporters — including judiciary‑committee cosponsors and judges who testified in interim hearings — said the change will reduce bureaucratic duplication for victims and streamline court processes.
Representative Valentine and others described committee vetting and community endorsements. The House adopted pink‑sheet amendments, summations were waived and the chamber recorded the result: Substitute House Bill 80 passed with 65 of 66 affirmative votes and 0 negative votes and was forwarded to the Senate.
Sponsors said the bill is intended to cut administrative burden and reduce trauma for protected parents and children by reducing parochial court filings and improving coordination between juvenile and district court processes.
