MS SB2561

Amends Section 93-21-13 to require courts receiving emergency domestic abuse protection order petitions to handle them expeditiously without referring them to another court, and makes such orders effective statewide and in all U.S. territories and tribal lands without geographic limitations.

Amends Section 93-21-15 to establish that domestic abuse protection orders issued by chancery or county courts are effective statewide and in all other states, U.S. territories, and tribal lands, and prohibits courts from limiting orders to state, municipal, or county boundaries.

Creates Section 93-21-15.1 establishing appellate procedures: appeals from municipal or justice courts for temporary orders are de novo trials in chancery court within 10 days, while appeals from county courts for final orders proceed on the record as priority cases.

Allows parties appealing denial of protection orders to proceed without paying costs, and permits cost reimbursement if a mutual protection order was issued improperly; specifies that filing an appeal does not suspend the protection order during the appellate process.

Takes effect July 1, 2019.