AB 1850 Summary

• Authorizes courts to issue protective orders protecting witnesses of violent crime from all contact by defendants upon a good cause belief that harm, intimidation, or dissuasion has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur.

• Defines minors who were physically present during domestic violence acts (but not victims themselves) as witnesses deemed to have suffered harm for purposes of restraining order eligibility.

• Requires courts to transmit protective orders to law enforcement within one business day and mandates defendants subject to these orders to relinquish firearms and not own, possess, or purchase firearms while the order is in effect.

• Allows courts to consider issuing protective orders on their own motion in cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault, or crimes requiring sex offender registration, with specific factors to consider when determining good cause.

• Authorizes optional electronic monitoring of defendants as part of protective orders, with defendants paying if they have the ability, lasting no more than one year from issuance.