HB478 - Gun Violence Protective Order Act

• Establishes two types of gun violence protective orders: ex parte orders (issued without notice, temporary) and one-year orders (issued after court hearing) that prohibit respondents from owning, purchasing, controlling, possessing, or receiving guns and ammunition.

• Authorizes law enforcement officers and family members to petition courts for orders if the respondent poses an immediate and present danger (ex parte) or significant danger (one-year) of causing personal injury to self or others.

• Requires respondents to surrender all guns and ammunition to local law enforcement upon issuance of an order, with law enforcement maintaining possession and providing receipts within 72 hours.

• Allows respondents to request one hearing to terminate a one-year order and allows petitioners to request renewal within three months of expiration if the respondent continues to pose significant danger.

• Creates criminal penalties: Class C misdemeanor for filing false petitions or for violating an order by owning/possessing guns while prohibited; violators are further prohibited from possessing firearms for five years after conviction.