Temporary restraining orders and injunctions for domestic abuse, child abuse, individuals at risk, and harassment, confidential name change petitions, and ex parte orders with a judge substitution. (FE)

Under current law, in an action involving the issuance of a child abuse TRO or injunction, the court may exclude from the hearing all persons except the parties, their attorneys, witnesses, child victim advocates, and certain others (essential persons) and may deny access to persons who are not essential persons to any records of the action. Under this bill, all persons who are not essential persons are excluded and any records of the action are confidential and available only to essential persons.

In actions involving the issuance of a domestic abuse or harassment TRO or injunction, current law provides for the confidentiality of the victim's addresses.

This bill provides for the confidentiality of the addresses of a victim in an action involving the issuance of an individual-at-risk or a child abuse TRO or injunction.

Under current law, in general, a judge must hold a hearing on the issuance of a domestic abuse, child abuse, individual-at-risk, or harassment injunction within 14 days of issuing a TRO. This bill specifies that a court may not extend the TRO in lieu of ruling on the injunction.

This bill specifies that, in an action involving the issuance of a child abuse TRO or injunction, the victim or the victim's parent, stepparent, or legal guardian does not have to pay the compensation of the guardian ad litem. This bill also specifies that, if a person seeks a new hearing of a determination, order, or ruling a court makes in an action involving the issuance of a domestic abuse, child abuse, individual-at-risk, or harassment TRO or injunction, the determination, order, or ruling made in the original hearing remains in effect until the final determination, order, or ruling is made in the new hearing. Finally, the bill specifies that, in the event that a new judge substitutes for the original judge, any ex parte order, which includes a TRO, granted by the original judge remains in effect and the new judge must hear any subsequent motion to modify or vacate the order and any TRO issued by the original judge is automatically extended until the new judge holds an injunction hearing.