Domestic violence and gun violence restraining orders.

Existing law permits a petitioner to seek a restraining order to protect against domestic violence or gun violence. Existing law requires the court to hold a hearing before issuing the restraining order, but the court may, in specified circumstances, issue an ex parte restraining order that is effective until the hearing. Existing law prescribes additional procedures for granting or denying a domestic violence restraining order or gun violence restraining order. Existing law prohibits a filing fee for an application, a responsive pleading, or an order to show cause that seeks to obtain, modify, or enforce a domestic violence protective order or a gun violence restraining order, as specified. This bill would require, by July 1, 2023, a court or court facility that receives petitions for domestic violence restraining orders or gun violence restraining orders to permit those petitions to be filed electronically. The bill would also permit parties and witnesses to appear remotely at a hearing on a petition for a gun violence restraining order or domestic violence restraining order. The bill would require the superior court of each county to provide telephone numbers for the public to call to obtain information regarding electronic filing and remote appearances, respectively. The bill would require the superior court of each county to develop, and to post on its internet website, local rules and instructions for electronic filing and remote appearances, respectively. The bill would prohibit fees for any filings related to a domestic violence restraining order or a gun violence restraining order.