HB 265 - Gun Violence Protective Order Act

• Establishes the Gun Violence Protective Order Act authorizing courts to issue ex parte orders (immediate) and one-year gun violence protective orders when a respondent poses immediate and present danger of causing personal injury to self or others.

• Allows law enforcement officers, teachers, and family members to petition for protective orders; requires surrender of all firearms and ammunition to local law enforcement upon order issuance.

• Ex parte orders issued same day as petition (or next business day) with court hearing scheduled within 14 calendar days; one-year orders require hearing with preponderance of evidence standard.

• Permits respondents to request one termination hearing during the order's effective period; petitioners may request renewal within three months before expiration; law enforcement may charge reasonable storage fees.

• Establishes criminal penalties of Class C misdemeanor for filing false petitions to harass or for violating orders by owning firearms; violators prohibited from firearm ownership for five years post-conviction.