HB 2441 Summary

• Amends stalking statute to update language, expand definitions, and add new penalty categories for repeat or aggravated stalking offenses.

• Creates new category of "sex offense" for victim protection order purposes, covering sexual assault, human trafficking for commercial sex, child abuse, incest, forcible sodomy, child pornography, and related crimes.

• Allows victims of rape, forcible sodomy, sex offenses, kidnapping, or assault and battery with a deadly weapon to request emergency temporary protection orders when courts are closed, similar to domestic abuse protections.

• Modifies stalking penalties: misdemeanor with up to 1 year jail for basic stalking, felony with up to 5 years for violations of protective orders or with prior violence convictions, and enhanced penalties for subsequent offenses.

• Requires peace officers to assist victims in obtaining emergency temporary orders and prohibits officers from discouraging victims of specified crimes from pressing charges.