Kathleen McDonald

I oppose this bill because it adds new language to petitions for protection orders that will discourage petitioners from submitting their requests to the court. Legislators should be looking for ways to make it easier for victims of crimes such as domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking to request and obtain protection. Instead this bill adds new language that essentially threatens petitioner with legal action if they do not swear that their statements are true. The overwhelming majority of people filing these petitions are telling the truth about what they are experiencing and why they need protection. The petitioners are not filing frivolously, as is well documented. This new language does nothing whatsoever to protect a victim of these crimes - which is the purpose of these orders. Shame on you for not working to give protection orders more ability to protect victims and restrain perpetrators. This bill does the opposite.