An act relating to recognition and enforcement of a military protection order

This bill expands Vermont's legal protections by recognizing military protection orders as foreign abuse prevention orders that must be recognized and enforced within the state. It directly affects victims of domestic violence who have obtained protection orders from military commanding officers and law enforcement officers who enforce these orders. The key provision requires that military protection orders be enforceable in Vermont courts if the defendant is currently in the armed forces or National Guard, received actual notice of the order, and the order was issued on a Department of Defense form within the past two years. Law enforcement officers are authorized to arrest violators and assist victims in obtaining sole possession of residences or custody of children under these orders, with the same enforcement standards applied to other foreign protection orders.