Legislation to extend civil protections in Kentucky to dating couples through protective orders has won unanimous approval in the House Judiciary Committee. Earlier Tuesday, Governor Beshear offered his endorsement of the bill.
"These victims are at high risk for continued abuse, often a protective order is enough to get an abuser's attention and deter further abuse," commented Beshear.
In previous years, similar measures have passed the House but not the Senate. Senate President Robert Stivers believes this session could be different.
"The realities of a civil protective order as an additional layer of protections is very likely to go through both chambers," stated Stivers.
A new provision in the proposed bill allows the temporary order to be expunged if no final interpersonal order is handed down and if the abuser has had five years of non-violent domestic behavior.