SF2923 Summary

• Changes who can petition for domestic abuse orders for protection by allowing an adult age 25 or older (instead of just "reputable" adults) to petition on behalf of minor family or household members if the court finds it in the minor's best interests

• Modifies harassment restraining order provisions to allow adults age 25 or older to petition on behalf of minors and changes the language from "seek a restraining order" to "petition the district court for a restraining order"

• Establishes that filing fees are waived for both petitioner and respondent in harassment restraining order cases involving certain criminal violations, and removes a provision allowing courts to direct respondents to pay petitioner's fees and costs

• Changes the deadline for requesting a hearing on temporary restraining orders from 45 days to 20 days after service, and provides that if neither party requests a hearing, the temporary order becomes valid for two years

• Creates new subdivision 5a authorizing restraining orders for up to 50 years if the respondent violated a prior order on two or more occasions or the petitioner has had two or more prior orders against the same respondent, with procedures for modification after five years without violation