Md. Code, Fam. Law § 4-505.1

Current with changes from the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 4-505.1 - Electronic petition for temporary protective order
(a)
(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) "Child advocacy center" means a center established under § 11-928 of the Criminal Procedure Article.
(3) "File electronically" means to send, communicate, receive, or store by electronic means.
(4) "Hospital" has the meaning stated in § 19-301 of the Health - General Article.
(5) "Vulnerable adult program" means:
(i) a program implemented under § 14-201 of this article; or
(ii) any program that receives federal or State funding to prevent abuse of or assist vulnerable adults.
(b) A petitioner may file electronically a petition for a temporary protective order with a court from:
(1) a domestic violence prevention or assistance program;
(2) a sexual assault prevention or assistance program;
(3) a human trafficking prevention or assistance program;
(4) a child advocacy center;
(5) a vulnerable adult program;
(6) a hospital where the petitioner is receiving medical treatment, while the petitioner is at the hospital; or
(7) another location approved by the court.
(c) The hospital shall refer the petitioner filing a petition on the grounds of:
(1) domestic violence:
(i) to a hospital-based domestic violence prevention or assistance program; or
(ii) if there is not a hospital-based domestic violence prevention or assistance program, to a community-based domestic violence prevention or assistance program; and
(2) sexual assault to a community-based sexual assault prevention or assistance program.
(d) A court that receives a petition filed electronically in accordance with this section shall hold a hearing on the petition through the use of video conferencing on:
(1) the same business day if the petition is filed during regular court hours and the court is open; or
(2) the next business day the court is open if the petition is not filed during regular court hours.

Md. Code, FL § 4-505.1

Added by 2022 Md. Laws, Ch. 335, Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2022.
Added by 2022 Md. Laws, Ch. 334, Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2022.