Sen. Blakespear’s Legislation to Protect Against Domestic Violence Signed into Law

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed legislation by Sen. Catherine S. Blakespear, D-Encinitas, to improve coordination among military and civil authorities to protect against domestic violence. The legislation ensures that military orders safeguarding U.S. servicemembers and their families are not disregarded, or unknown to authorities, simply because they are not on a military base. 

“I thank the Governor for signing SB 99, which helps ensure that members of military families who are covered by military protective orders and go off base get the support and protection they need. Military and civilian authorities need to be on the same page when it comes to protecting people from domestic violence.” 

- Senator Catherine S. Blakespear, D-Encinitas

WHY IT MATTERS

Many military families choose to live off base, which is governed by civil law and civil courts. But military protective orders can involve protecting family members of military personnel from interpersonal violence. The problem is presently civilian authorities often don’t know about them, and so cannot act accordingly, if called to intervene in, or follow up on, a domestic dispute. 

BACKGROUND

SB 99 requires law enforcement officers to notify military authorities if they believe a military protective order (MPO) – the equivalent version of a restraining order issued by a civil court for domestic violence – has been violated off base. It also would allow MPOs to be used as evidence in court when seeking a domestic violence restraining order. 

There are distinct differences between MPOs and restraining orders issued by civil courts. MPOs are issued directly by commanding officers, whose primary concern is maintaining mission readiness and ensuring military members with firearms are not a danger to others. But although there are differences, they have the same goal – to protect people from interpersonal violence. 

Specifically, the legislation:

• Allows an MPO to be used as evidence in court when seeking a domestic violence restraining order. 
• Requires police officers to notify military authorities if they believe an MPO has been violated.
• Allows local authorities to enter into agreements with the military for communicating with each other about potential violations of civil restraining orders and MPOs. 

The legislation was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. SB 99 passed the Legislature without opposition and takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

Sen. Blakespear’s Senate district includes the U.S. Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton, one of the largest bases in North America, with about 42,000 active-duty military personnel. San Diego County, with an estimated 115,000 active-duty military personnel, has the largest concentration of military members of any county in the nation. 

SENATOR BLAKESPEAR’S RECORD

• Sen. Blakespear has worked to support military families. She authored legislation in 2024 (SB 1401) to help ease the shortage of child care options for military personnel by allowing people who are certified to provide child care in their homes by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to provide it in California without a state license. The legislation failed to pass the Assembly.
• Sen. Blakespear has fought to reduce domestic violence and gun violence. In 2024, she authored legislation (SB 1002) signed by the Governor to ensure people experiencing a mental health crisis turn in any firearms they own.

Sen. Blakespear represents Senate District 38, which covers northern San Diego County and southern Orange County. To learn more about the district and Sen. Blakespear, visit her Senate website.