Aisha's Law: Bill Named For Killed Ohio Teacher Moves Forward

COLUMBUS, OH — New legislation offering expanded protections for domestic violence survivors passed through Ohio House committees this week. The bill is called "Aisha's Law" and is named for Aisha Fraser, a Northeast Ohio teacher who was killed by her ex-husband in 2018.

Passage of the Aisha's Law would change the way law enforcement respond to domestic violence cases and create a continuum of protections for survivors. The legislation has received bipartisan support and was introduced by state Rep. Janine Boyd, a Democrat from Cleveland Heights, and state Rep. Sara Carruthers, a Republican from Hamilton.

“Aisha’s Law represents nearly 18 months of interested party meetings with dozens of stakeholders, multiple redrafts, some very heart breaking calls with survivors and advocates and eye opening calls with various centers of excellence on domestic policy across the country. I promised Aisha’s family, her friends, her colleagues and her students that I would leave no stone unturned. This is a victory for domestic violence survivors across Ohio,” said Boyd.

Here's what the bill would do:

• Anyone suspected of killing their partner, who has a prior history of domestic violence toward that partner, can be charged with aggravated murder
• Domestic violence survivors and law enforcement can request an emergency protection order from a judge, even if the court is not open for regular business
• Courts must issue an emergency protection order if there is probably cause to believe the victim is in immediate danger
• Change the definition of domestic violence to include strangulation
• High-risk victims of domestic violence must be referred to domestic violence advocacy services
• Domestic violence cases and their prosecution will be studied by a newly created committee
• Provides funding for law enforcement training on domestic violence risk-assessment tools

Fraser was a sixth-grade teacher in Shaker Heights. In Nov. 2018, she was attacked and killed by her ex-husband Lance Mason, a former judge and state representative. The indictment against Mason said he stabbed Fraser to death in front of their children. Mason later pleaded guilty to all charges against him.

Domestic violence cases have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report from the Ohio Domestic Violence Network. The severity of domestic violence incidents also appears to have worsened.

“Throughout the pandemic, I have advocated to the governor and his administration to provide additional protections and supports for domestic violence shelter workers and victims," Boyd said.