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.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.