HB 5623 Summary

• Requires state marshals to serve civil protection orders at no cost to applicants, paid by the Judicial Branch, and establishes that service of such orders constitutes civil process.

• Expands restraining order protections by reducing notice requirement from five days to three days, adding provisions for ex parte order extensions, and requiring law enforcement notification when respondents possess firearms or work in firearm-dependent positions.

• Mandates immediate firearm surrender within 24 hours for persons subject to restraining or protective orders, with exceptions for federally licensed firearms dealers, and allows permit reinstatement upon order expiration if applicant meets other eligibility requirements.

• Raises age of prostitution charges from 16 to 18 years old, establishes affirmative defense for trafficking victims, and increases penalties for patronizing prostitutes to include $2,000 fines and enhanced felony charges for minors or trafficking victims.

• Creates human trafficking reporting requirements for state's attorneys and police chiefs, mandates employee training and record-keeping at hotels and lodgings, establishes a Trafficking in Persons Council, and expands the definition of trafficking to include minors in sexual contact offenses.