Senate Bill 800 Summary

• Court clerk may issue service of protective order documents to sheriff by facsimile or electronic transmission for service in another county; emergency ex parte orders may be served 24 hours a day when defendant location is known.

• Full hearing on protective order petition must be scheduled within 14 days of filing (or 72 hours if defendant is minor child ordered removed from residence); petition may renew every 14 days until defendant is served.

• When necessary to protect victim, court shall authorize victim to file motion to modify or extend protective order electronically.

• Protective orders issued on or after November 1, 2012, shall be for fixed period not exceeding 5 years unless extended, modified, or vacated; or continuous upon specific findings including history of violating court orders, prior violent felony conviction, or prior Victim Protection Order issuance.

• Victim may be accompanied by victim support person at court proceedings who may offer comfort or support but shall not make legal arguments; court shall not issue mutual protective orders.