LANSING – The Michigan House of Representatives today unanimously passed legislation introduced by Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) that will allow judges to grant Personal Protection Orders (PPO) to victims of sexual assault and those at risk of sexual assault.
"This is a common-sense safeguard that we need to extend to our residents," Ebli said. "I appreciate the recognition of the entire House of the importance of protections like these for residents who may be at risk for unthinkable crimes. My plan will bridge an important gap in Michigan's personal protection laws, and I'm glad my colleagues passed this plan to better protect our residents."
Current Michigan law prohibits some victims from petitioning the court for a PPO, which is essentially a restraining order. Under Ebli's plan, courts will be permitted to issue PPOs to residents who have a reasonable fear of sexual assault from someone other than a domestic partner. The legislation will include actions such as posting threats and other messages on the Internet, furnishing obscene publications to minors and previous criminal sexual conduct against an individual as actions that will justify a PPO.
Ebli worked closely on the plan with Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Costello, who called for the change in the current law, and Melodie Brooks, Director of the Mercy Memorial Hospital Rape Crisis Center. Brooks joined Ebli last week in testifying before the House Judiciary Committee on the need for the change in current law.
"I have spent 25 years caring for sexual assault victims who continually struggle to deal with such a devastating experience," Brooks said. "A personal protection order can do so much to give victims a glimmer of hope that they can regain the personal strength and control they lost in their assault. Representative Ebli's plan will offer them that hope and help them begin the process of healing. It's time for Michigan to join the 17 other states that already offer similar protections by passing this plan as soon as possible."