HB383 Summary: Red Flag Protective Order Act

• Establishes the Red Flag Protective Order Act allowing courts to issue ex parte (emergency) and one-year red flag protective orders when a respondent poses an immediate and present danger of causing personal injury to self or others through firearm ownership or possession.

• Authorizes law enforcement officers, teachers, and family members to petition courts for red flag protective orders, with ex parte orders issued within one business day and one-year orders issued after a hearing within 14 calendar days.

• Requires respondents subject to red flag protective orders to surrender all firearms and ammunition to local law enforcement; law enforcement may conduct lawful searches and charge reasonable storage fees.

• Allows respondents to request one hearing to terminate an order at any time during its effective period, with the burden of proving they no longer pose a substantial danger; permits petitioners to request renewal within three months before expiration.

• Establishes criminal penalties including Class C misdemeanor charges for filing false petitions or violating order prohibitions, with violators banned from firearm possession for five years following conviction; requires courts to notify the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency of all orders issued for entry into background check systems.