HB 2321 Summary

• Establishes a new "severe threat order of protection" allowing petitioners to seek court orders prohibiting individuals from possessing firearms based on credible threats of death/serious injury, acts of violence, or animal cruelty.

• Creates two types of orders: an ex parte temporary order (lasting 14 days) issued without respondent present, and a full order (lasting 1 year) issued after a hearing where the respondent can present evidence and challenge the allegations.

• Requires respondents subject to the order to surrender all firearms to law enforcement within 24 hours, with firearms held by law enforcement or transferred to a court-approved custodian for the duration of the order.

• Applies exclusively to the juvenile court when the respondent is under 18 years old; makes firearm possession by a prohibited person a Class 4 felony and making a false sworn statement to obtain the order a Class 5 felony.

• Mandates registration of all orders with national crime information centers and establishes procedures for order renewal, modification, and expiration; includes civil liability protections for good faith actions under the statute.