Senate Bill 18-015: Protecting Homeowners and Deployed Military Personnel Act

• Establishes a new legal process allowing property owners or their authorized agents to file a verified motion in county court for removal of unauthorized persons occupying uninhabited or vacant residential premises without any agreement or consent.

• Requires county courts to hold hearings within one court day of filing and, if the court determines a person is unauthorized, to issue a temporary mandatory injunction and writ of restitution ordering removal.

• Mandates sheriffs to remove unauthorized persons within 24 hours of receiving the court order and prohibit them from returning to the premises for 14 days or face arrest for criminal trespass.

• Provides protections for persons against false removal claims by allowing removed occupants to bring civil lawsuits against property owners who made false statements, entitling them to actual damages, attorney fees, and costs.

• Takes effect July 1, 2018, and applies to removal requests and offenses committed on or after that date.