Substitute House Bill No. 5054 Summary

• Reduces the service requirement for restraining orders from 5 days to 3 days before a hearing, and shortens hearing timelines to 7 days when respondent possesses firearms or permits.

• Establishes that persons subject to restraining/protective orders or civil protection orders must surrender firearms and ammunition within 24 hours (versus 2 business days for other ineligibility events), with options to sell to licensed dealers or surrender to law enforcement.

• Allows retrieval of surrendered firearms within 5 business days after orders expire, provided the person is not otherwise disqualified and can verify the order's expiration.

• Requires law enforcement presence during service of orders when respondent possesses firearms, with mandatory notification to police departments and tracking of service via Judicial Branch internet system within 2 hours.

• Expands restraining order protections to include temporary possession of necessities (vehicles, documentation, keys) and prohibitions on utility/insurance termination and property disposal for spouses or co-parents.