SB 1674 Summary

• Expands the definition of "domestic violence" to include cyberstalking, burglary, criminal mischief, trespass, harassing calls, and harm to pets committed by family or household members.

• Creates a new civil cause of action for injunctions for protection against stalking or cyberstalking, allowing victims to file petitions in circuit court without requiring attorney representation.

• Establishes a $75 filing fee for repeat violence injunctions (courts may order respondent reimbursement), while prohibiting fees for sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking injunctions.

• Implements a Stalking and Cyberstalking Injunction Statewide Verification System within the Department of Law Enforcement to electronically transmit injunction information between criminal justice agencies statewide.

• Creates criminal penalties (first-degree misdemeanor) for willful violation of stalking or cyberstalking injunctions, including prohibited contact, approach within specified distances, and property destruction; violations also subject to civil remedies and court-ordered batterers' intervention programs.