OKLAHOMA CITY –HB 1845, authored by Rep. Ajay Pittman, House District 99, D-Oklahoma City allows peace officers to file a petition with the district court the next business day when an after-hours emergency temporary protective order is necessary.

A temporary protective order is necessary when the court is not open for business and the victim of domestic violence, stalking, harassment, rape, forcible sodomy, a sex offense, kidnapping or assault and battery with a deadly weapon needs an emergency protective order.

“In Oklahoma almost 50% of women and 40% of men have experienced domestic violence at some time in their lives. This bill will save lives. My goal was to remove any legal barriers so that victims of domestic violence and sexual assault can more easily seek protection from their abusers,” Rep. Ajay Pittman said.

In 2022, 138 people died in Oklahoma at the hands of domestic violence, according to the Oklahoma Domestic Violence Review Board. A recent study from John Hopkins University provided by the Oklahoma State Department of Health reports that women experience increased levels of risk immediately after leaving an abusive situation.

“This bill will allow the peace officer to file that paperwork for the victim,” Rep. Pittman said. “Every second after the assault matters for these victims. Showing up in court the next business day is often traumatic and can cause victims to shy away from protective orders.” 

If Rep. Ajay Pittman’s bi-partisan legislation becomes law, the victims of these crimes will not have to appear in court the next business day. Instead, the emergency temporary protective order will be in effect until a judge sets a hearing date.

“The bill also allows peace officers to file paperwork for emergency temporary protective orders in court the next business day for the immediate family member of a victim of first-degree murder,” Rep. Pittman concluded. “I am grateful to my senate author, Assistant Majority Whip Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City for his assistance and sensitivity to this issue.”

The Bi-partisan bill unanimously passed the House floor 84-0 and is headed to the Senate for consideration.

-END-