COLUMBUS, Ohio — On Wednesday, the Ohio House passed House Bill 3, known as Aisha’s Law, named after the Shaker Heights teacher who was murdered by her ex-husband.
"This is a victory for survivors of domestic violence across the state,” said the bill co-sponsor State Rep. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) on Wednesday.
Fraser was a Shaker Heights teacher killed in November 2018 by her ex-husband and the father of her children Lance Mason, a former northeast Ohio judge and state legislator. Mason was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 35 years.
Aisha’s Law would also expand the definition of aggravated murder to include previous domestic violence convictions. Police would be required to conduct lethality assessments to determine how much danger victims are in and connect them to services providing safety planning.
Before Fraser's death, Mason was suspended from practicing law after he attacked Fraser in front of their children as they were driving back from a family member’s funeral on Aug. 2, 2014, according to court documents. Mason was sentenced to two years in prison for that attack, but a judge released him after serving just nine months.
According to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, 131 people in Ohio were killed in violence cases in the last year. Of those, at least 20 perpetrators had already been charged with or convicted of domestic violence prior to the deadly incident.
“I’m proud to sponsor such a comprehensive legislation to lift the voices of those too long undervalued or ignored. Nothing prepared me for the way Aisha’s story and the stories of other survivors have changed me. I am extraordinarily grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for overwhelmingly supporting this bill, bringing us closer to no longer being the only state without a strangulation law. Aisha’s Law will strengthen protections for survivors and provide a way out for those who are in the most deadly situations. We are one step closer to honoring Aisha’s life and light, and so many others with today’s House passage,” Boyd said in a news release.
The bill now heads to the Senate.
RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR PEOPLE AT RISK:
- NATIONAL HOTLINE
- HAMILTON COUNTY 24 Hour YWCA Hamilton County Domestic Violence Hotline
- Crisis counseling, risk assessment, information, referrals, safety planning, and support for survivors in Hamilton County 24 hours a day. LOCAL: 513-872-9259 TOLL FREE: 888-872-9259 TEXT: 513-436-3606 CHAT: rc.chat/ywca
- CLERMONT, BROWN, ADAMS COUNTIES 24 Hour House of Peace Hotline
- Crisis counseling, risk assessment, information, referrals, safety planning, and support for survivors in Clermont, Brown and Adams counties 24 hours a day.
- LOCAL: 513-753-7281
- TOLL FREE: 800-540-4764
- TEXT: 513-436-3606
- CHAT: rc.chat/ywca
- Crisis counseling, risk assessment, information, referrals, safety planning, and support for survivors in Clermont, Brown and Adams counties 24 hours a day.
- BUTLER COUNTY YWCA Hamilton
- https://www.ywcahamilton.com/domestic-violence
- Domestic Violence - Dove House Shelter 24 HOUR CRISIS LINE: 1-800-618-6523
- Dove House is Butler County’s protective shelter for victims of domestic violence. Services include: -24-hour staffed shelter -Child Advocacy -Complete confidentiality -Support and educational groups
- WARREN COUNTY
- Abuse and Rape Crisis Shelter https://arcshelter.com/
- If you are in an emergency situation, call 9-1-1. If you need immediate assistance, call our 24/7 Crisis Hotline 1-888-860-4084
- CLINTON AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES
- Alternatives to Violence Center Hillsboro 888-816-1146
- KENTUCKY PROGRAMS AFFILIATED WITH KENTUCKY COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
- INDIANA PROGRAMS AFFILIATED WITH INDIANA COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
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