Oklahoma lawmakers file bills to change protective order law after push from BA mother
TULSA, Okla. — A Broken Arrow mother is one step closer to creating change in honor of her son.
In December, NewsChannel 8 spoke with Maureen Bucherre about the push to change a law she believes could have saved her son's life.
"This is suffocating," Bucherre said. "The pain that myself and my family are feeling right now, it's beyond comprehension."
Court documents show 46-year-old Stephen Bernius tried to get legal protection from the man accused of killing him two days before his death in September 2021.
According to the Oklahoma State Courts Network, a judge denied the protective order two days before Bernius's death because it did not meet the statute.
“It seems to be a hole in the law, " explained attorney Robert Gifford. "It doesn’t make sense.
Gifford said the way the protective orders law is written in Oklahoma, it only applies to intimate partners and family members who live together.
“I have just channeled all of my grief and all of my pain in trying to get this law amended," said Bucherre.
What will it take to change this law?
“When something like this happens, it usually catches the attention of a legislator," said Gifford.
Our story caught the attention of Oklahoma State Representative Ross Ford.
“When I heard it on Channel 8 News, I felt, you know, I was just heartbroken by it," he said.
Ford wrote House Bill 4374, which is meant to expand the scope of who can qualify for a protective order.
“It's just changing the definition," he said. "It will still include parents, anyone related by blood or relationships, but it will also, under the definitions, have another section that says persons not related, but living in the same household."
Oklahoma State Senator Dave Rader filed a similar bill in the Senate, SB1674, which is broader.
“I think it'll resonate with the legislature and the legislators individually," said Rader.
Experts believe only one can end up on Governor Kevin Stitt's desk.