Senate advances protective-order reforms, delays effective date to 2027

Senate Bill 304, a package of protective-order amendments aimed at reducing abuse of the protective-order process, moved forward after floor amendment and substitution activity during the evening session.

Sponsor Senator Stratton said stakeholders and advocates for domestic-violence victims helped craft language to limit misuse of the system while preserving protections for the vulnerable. The measure adds a procedure for filing a motion alleging another party knowingly falsified information to obtain a protective order and authorizes courts to sanction misuse following inquiry; it also clarifies selection of mental-health therapists in certain child-protective-order contexts.

Stratton moved an amendment to change the bill’s effective date from 05/06/2026 to 05/06/2027 to allow further stakeholder work; the amendment carried. The first substitute, as amended, initially passed under suspension of the rules. Because the effective date change required a substitute, the sponsor then moved to recall the bill, circle it and place a new substitute. The second substitute later passed (21 yea, 8 nay, 0 absent) and will be sent to the House for their consideration.

The sponsor characterized the package as surgical corrections to reduce system abuse without undermining access for legitimate claimants; he said the changes were developed with advocacy groups and agency input. Supporters commended the listening and edits; the floor recorded some dissent during votes on substitution but ultimately approved the second substitute.