HB268 Summary

• Establishes the Gun Violence Protective Order Act to authorize courts to issue ex parte and one-year gun violence protective orders when respondents pose immediate and present danger of causing personal injury to self or others.

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

• Provides procedures for order renewal within three months before expiration and allows respondents one written request to terminate an order during its effective period by proving they no longer pose substantial danger.

• Mandates courts notify the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency within one business day of issuing, renewing, dissolving, or terminating orders, with information submitted to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System within 30 days.

• Establishes criminal penalties of Class C misdemeanor for filing false petitions or violating protective orders, with five-year prohibition on firearm possession for those convicted of violating the order.