HB1543 - Gun Violence Protective Orders

• Establishes a process allowing law enforcement officers, family or household members, medical professionals, educators, and colleagues to petition family courts for gun violence protective orders against individuals posing an imminent danger to themselves or others.

• Creates two types of orders: ex parte orders (issued without notice, effective immediately until a scheduled hearing) and one-year orders (issued after a hearing with notice to the respondent).

• Requires courts to issue ex parte orders within one business day if probable cause exists that the respondent poses imminent danger, with a full hearing scheduled within 14 days to determine if a one-year order should be issued.

• Mandates respondents surrender all firearms and ammunition to police within 48 hours of service; authorizes police to take custody of firearms and ammunition; and allows storage fees to be charged by police departments.

• Allows respondents to request early termination of one-year orders by proving they no longer pose significant danger, and permits petitioners to seek renewal within three months before expiration.