ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A bill that would make it easier for abuse victims to obtain protective orders cleared the House of Delegates with a unanimous vote on Thursday.

In a news conference after the vote, Kathleen Dumais, D-Montgomery, vice chair of the House Judiciary Committee, said legislators want to balance victims’ rights with due process. But Maryland is the only state where victims must provide clear and convincing evidence of abuse to get long-term protective orders, Dumais said.