Criminal Justice

Carrying assault firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty. Prohibits the carrying of certain semi-automatic center-fire rifles, pistols, and shotguns or any firearm modified to be operable as an assault firearm on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, or public right-of-way or in any public park or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public, with certain exceptions. Under current law, the prohibition on carrying certain shotguns and semi-automatic center-fire rifles and pistols applies to a narrower range of firearms, only in certain localities, and only when such firearms are loaded. A violation of this prohibition is a Class 1 misdemeanor. This bill was incorporated into SB 727.

Emergency protective orders; duration. Extends the duration of an emergency protective order from a maximum of three days to a maximum of two weeks. The bill permits a petitioner, prior to the expiration of an emergency protective order, to file a written motion requesting to extend such order and authorizes a court, upon good cause shown, to extend the emergency protective order for an additional period of time not to exceed two weeks after expiration of the original order. Finally, the bill permits a court to continue an emergency protective order to the first hearing date of any related criminal offense. The bill contains technical amendments.

Firearms-related offenses; mandatory minimum sentences; penalty. Increases from five to 10 years for a second or subsequent offense the mandatory minimum sentence for use or display of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies.

Child abuse or neglect; prenatal use of a controlled substance or drug as prescribed. Clarifies that a pregnant woman's prenatal use of a controlled substance or drug as prescribed by such woman's health care provider shall not solely be a reason to suspect that a child is abused or neglected.