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SB-459 Domestic violence: restraining orders.(2023-2024)

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Date Published: 10/16/2023 09:00 PM
SB459:v93#DOCUMENT

Senate Bill No. 459
CHAPTER 874

An act to amend Section 6345 of the Family Code, relating to domestic violence.

[ Approved by Governor  October 13, 2023. Filed with Secretary of State  October 13, 2023. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 459, Rubio. Domestic violence: restraining orders.
Existing law allows a civil court, after notice and a hearing, to issue an order to enjoin a person from, among other things, attacking, stalking, or threatening another person. Under existing law, the protective order may be valid for up to 5 years, as determined by the court, and may be renewed for 5 or more years, or permanently, at the discretion of the court.
This bill would require the Judicial Council, on or before January 1, 2025, to create one or more specific forms for the purpose of requesting a modification of an existing restraining order.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the Sam Sisters Law.

SEC. 2.

 Section 6345 of the Family Code is amended to read:

6345.
 (a) In the discretion of the court, the personal conduct, stay-away, and residence exclusion orders contained in a court order issued after notice and a hearing under this article may have a duration of not more than five years, subject to termination or modification by further order of the court either on written stipulation filed with the court or on the motion of a party. These orders may be renewed, upon the request of a party, either for five or more years, or permanently, at the discretion of the court, without a showing of further abuse since the issuance of the original order. Renewals and subsequent renewals shall be subject to termination, modification, or subsequent renewal by further order of the court either on written stipulation filed with the court or on the motion of a party. The request for renewal may be brought at any time within the three months before the expiration of the orders.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the duration of any orders, other than the protective orders described in subdivision (a), that are also contained in a court order issued after notice and a hearing under this article, including, but not limited to, orders for custody, visitation, support, and disposition of property, shall be governed by the law relating to those specific subjects.
(c) The failure to state the expiration date on the face of the form creates an order with a duration of three years from the date of issuance.
(d) If an action is filed for the purpose of terminating or modifying a protective order prior to the expiration date specified in the order by a party other than the protected party, the party who is protected by the order shall be given notice, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1005 of the Code of Civil Procedure, of the proceeding by personal service or, if the protected party has satisfied the requirements of Chapter 3.1 (commencing with Section 6205) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, by service on the Secretary of State. If the party who is protected by the order cannot be notified prior to the hearing for modification or termination of the protective order, the court shall deny the motion to modify or terminate the order without prejudice or continue the hearing until the party who is protected can be properly noticed and may, upon a showing of good cause, specify another method for service of process that is reasonably designed to afford actual notice to the protected party. The protected party may waive the right to notice if the protected party is physically present in court and does not challenge the sufficiency of the notice.
(e) On or before January 1, 2025, the Judicial Council shall create one or more specific forms for the purpose of requesting a modification of an existing restraining order.