Statehouse debates 'Aisha's Law' bill meant to protect domestic violence survivors

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A bill has been introduced for a third time at the Ohio Statehouse that seeks to create more protections for survivors of domestic violence.

House Bill 486, known as “Aisha’s Law” is named after a Cleveland woman who was killed by her ex-husband.

“Aisha’s story is not just a statistic,” friend of Aisha and Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Meredith Turner said. “Aisha’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the urgent need for A-C-T-I-O-N, action.”

“Far too many individuals continue to be abused and live and fear,” Representative Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton) said.

House Bill 486 is sponsored by Representatives Carruthers and Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland). Brent said this is an issue that hits close to home for everyone.

“This is happening in every district, all 88 counties this is happening,” Brent said. “Enough is enough.”

According to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, between July 1 and June 30 of last year, 112 domestic violence deaths were reported, that included 22 children.

“We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the epidemic of domestic violence plaguing our communities,” Turner said. “Domestic violence transcends race, class and gender. It shatters lives, tears families apart and leaves scars on our society.”

The bill aims to expand the offense of child endangerment to include the offense of domestic violence when a child is present, expand the offense of aggravated murder. The bill also requires courts that issue protection orders to be available to accept a petition 24/7.

“That was a sticking point, however we found out it was not too big a hill to climb,” Carruthers said.

“Going to get a protection order is probably one of the hardest things somebody can decide to do,” Brent said. “So, making sure our court system is available, because you never know when somebody may need to do it, that part of our legislation is vital.”

The Ohio Prosecuting Attorney’s Association supports the bill. Their executive director, Lou Tobin said, “Ohio prosecutors have said for a long time that the state needs to do more to protect the victims of domestic violence…Aisha’s Law is another critical piece of protecting these victims and another tool for prosecutors to hold domestic abusers accountable.”

The bill also requires police officers who handle domestic violence complaints to have intervention technique training. The bill allocates $150,000 to accomplish that; Brent and Carruthers said the funding is imperative.

“We need to put the funding in there to make sure our police department are properly funded with training and resources,” Brent said.

“This is not a huge amount for training,” Carruthers said. “And as I said, this is the most dangerous thing police walk into.”

This version of Aisha’s Law does not include strangulation offense portions. That was passed in Senate Bill 288 at the end of last general assembly.

Despite the Ohio House passing Aisha’s Law twice in full, with bi-partisan support, the Senate has yet to do so.

“Much to many people’s frustration,” Carruthers said.

Carruthers said she thinks some members of the Senate do not think this legislation is a “big deal.” Sen. Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville) chairs the committee where the bill was heard last general assembly and will likely be heard again this year.

“We certainty do [make this a priority],” Manning said. “When we hear from interested parties that there might be issue with the bill, we certainly take that seriously, we don’t just rubber stamp it.”

“We must get this done,” Brent said. Enough is enough. We have to listen to people who are being affected.”

Manning said the reason only part of the bill made it across the finish line last year is because there were “a lot of concerns,” with some of the language.

“I worked with the advocates and prosecuting attorneys and said, ‘hey what is the most important part in here,’ because it was a complicated bill,” Manning said. “We prioritized the strangulation aspect, from talking to everyone, that was the most important aspect of that bill. So, we didn’t have a lot of process on the other parts.”

Carruthers said this bill has been “well-vetted and well thought out;” she said it seems to not be a priority for the Senate.

“If this was such a priority, why are they introducing it a year and four months into the general assembly,” Manning said. “I think it’s unfair to say we don’t prioritze this when they could’ve introduced it much earlier.”

Brent said passing the legislation is long overdue and they would like to see it done soon. But Manning said by the time the legislation makes it to the Senate, it may be too late to send it to the governor’s desk before the end of the year.

“I prioritize domestic violence issues, but we really look at the words and how this could affect things,” Manning said.