CA Senate Public Safety Committee Passes Senator Susan Rubio Bill Lowering Barriers for Survivors Seeking Protection Against Abusers

SACRAMENTO, CA – The State Senate Public Safety Committee today passed a bill by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) that will allow victims to file domestic violence restraining orders electronically as they seek protection from abusers.

Senate Bill 538 will strengthen protections for survivors of domestic violence by requiring California’s Superior Courts to allow parties to electronically file Domestic Violence Restraining Orders and Gun Violence Restraining Orders. The bill will also allow parties and witnesses to appear remotely at the hearing on a petition.

“We should remove unnecessary barriers for domestic violence victims who already had to muster the courage to leave a dangerous situation, and SB 538 will lower the obstacles for survivors as they seek protections from their abusers,” Senator Rubio said. “I want to thank the Senate Public Safety Committee for their support, my sponsor, the City of San Diego, as well as other stakeholders for working on this bill. We should be making it easier for victims, not harder, during a terrifying time in their lives.”

“Over the last month, we have seen a tragic return to fatal mass shootings across this country,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “Although some of the tools, like restraining orders, to prevent acts of gun and domestic violence are already in place, many Californians simply cannot access these protections because of inflexible work hours, lack of child care, or fear of reliving past traumatic events. SB 538 expands that access to the courts by modernizing the way victims can navigate judicial proceedings remotely and electronically. We applaud Senator Rubio for her leadership to eliminate economic barriers to justice.”

“Restraining orders save lives, and California should ensure they are fully accessible to the public,” said San Diego City Attorney Mara W. Elliott. “We have the technology to ensure victims can obtain restraining orders without risking further physical or emotional abuse, and we should use it.  I’m proud to support Senator Rubio’s SB 538 and urge its passage.”

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Media contact: Edward Barrera, edward.barrera@sen.ca.gov