SB 97

Under current law, an individual who is, or who acts on behalf of, a victim of

abuse, harassment, or threats may obtain a temporary restraining order against the

person who has committed the acts of abuse or harassment or making a threat. The

restraining order generally prohibits the person from engaging in additional threats

or acts of abuse or harassment, bars the person from contacting the victim, and

requires the person to stay away from the victim's residence and other places

temporarily occupied by the victim until a court conducts a hearing to determine

whether the restraining order should be incorporated into a longer-lasting

injunction.

If the court determines that the person has engaged in, or may engage in, acts

of abuse, harassment, or threats against the victim, the court may issue a

longer-term injunction against the person. An injunction generally bars the person

from contacting the victim, requires the person to stay away from the victim's

residence, and may require the person to stay away from other locations temporarily

occupied by the victim.

Under this bill, a court may include in a restraining order or an injunction order

provisions pertaining to household pets. Under the bill, a court may order the person

subject to the restraining order or injunction to refrain from removing, damaging,

hiding, harming, or mistreating, or disposing of a household pet. The restraining

order or injunction may also allow the victim of the abuse, harassment, or threats,

or a person acting on his or her behalf, to retrieve a household pet from the person

subject to the restraining order or injunction.