AUSTIN, TX - Yesterday, SB 712 authored by Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa and sponsored by Representative Todd Hunter was sent to the Governor's desk with overwhelming approval from the Texas Legislature. SB 712 authorizes a court to render a protective order that exceeds two years if the court finds that the offender commits an act(s) constituting felony-level family violence. Lethal family violence felony offenses include strangulation, continuous violence against the family, continuous violation of a protective order, or enhanced assault family violence, among other felonies.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

"In Texas, 158 women were killed by their intimate partner and 1 in 3 adult women are victims of family violence. The most dangerous time for victims are the weeks leading up to their escape and the weeks following.

Currently, courts may allow long-term protective orders, if there have been either two prior protective orders involving the same parties or if the offender has caused serious bodily injury to the victim. SB 712 will now include lethal family violence offenses to expand a protective order longer than two years to better protect victims."

This session, Senator Hinojosa is working alongside fellow Nueces County lawmakers, Rep. Todd Hunter and Rep. Abel Herrero, to move a number of bills forward to end family violence. The lawmakers have also worked closely with the Texas Council on Family Violence and the Women’s Shelter of South Texas in finding the best ways to end domestic abuse.

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