CA SB421

Courts may issue permanent (lifetime) protective orders restraining defendants convicted of serious felonies, violent felonies, or felony sex offenses from contacting victims, with the order remaining valid until the victim dies, the conviction is overturned, or the victim requests removal

Existing protective orders issued before January 1, 2025 can be permanently extended if the defendant violated the order's terms and was convicted of a qualifying serious or violent felony

The bill is named "Kayleigh's Law" and expands upon current law that limits protective orders to a maximum of 10 years for domestic violence, human trafficking, gang crimes, and sex offenses

Dismissal of criminal charges or convictions through expungement or similar relief does not release defendants from the terms of permanent protective orders issued under this legislation

The Judicial Council is required to develop forms, instructions, and rules for implementing the new permanent protective order provisions