CA AB561

Authorizes electronic filing of harassment, domestic violence, and elder/dependent adult abuse protective order petitions at no charge to petitioners, effective January 1, 2027

Permits parties, witnesses, and support persons to appear remotely at protective order hearings without paying a fee, with courts required to develop and post local rules for remote appearances on their websites

Requires courts to provide electronically filed petition documents (requests, hearing notices, temporary orders) back to petitioners electronically unless they opt to pick them up in person

Allows courts to authorize alternative service methods when petitioners cannot accomplish personal service after diligent effort and the respondent appears to be evading service or cannot be located

Mandates that court websites prominently display information about electronic filing and self-help center access, with self-help centers required to maintain information about elder abuse restraining orders