VA HB208

Creates a new chapter in Virginia law establishing anti-harassment orders, defining "harassment" as ongoing, purposeful acts or patterns of action in gesture or communication that cause alarm or reasonable emotional distress and serve no legitimate purpose

Allows judges or magistrates to issue ex-parte temporary anti-harassment orders that can prohibit acts of harassment, contact with the victim or their family, and grant possession of companion animals to the petitioner

Anti-harassment orders can be issued for up to two years following a full hearing, with unlimited extensions available upon request; violations constitute contempt of court

Orders must be entered into the Virginia Criminal Information Network and served on the respondent; foreign anti-harassment orders from other states or jurisdictions receive full faith and credit in Virginia

Explicitly states that anti-harassment orders do not constitute restraining orders for purposes of firearm restrictions under § 18.2-308.09, and no fees are charged for filing or serving petitions