H.B. 28

1

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND DATING
2 VIOLENCE AMENDMENTS
3 2007 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: David Litvack
6 Senate Sponsor: Scott D. McCoy
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill provides for the issuance, modification, and enforcement of protective orders
11 between certain individuals who are, or have been, in a dating relationship, and for the
12 provision of services to victims of dating violence.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This bill:
15 . defines terms;
16 . provides for the issuance, modification, and enforcement of protective orders
17 between parties who are, or have been, in a dating relationship when:
18 . the parties are emancipated or 16 years of age or older;
19 . the parties are, or have been, in a dating relationship with each other; and
20 . a party commits abuse or dating violence against the other party;
21 . requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to develop and adopt uniform
22 forms for petitions and orders for protection relating to dating violence;
23 . describes the restrictions that a court may include in a protective order;
24 . requires the Division of Child and Family Services, within the Department of
25 Human Services, to provide certain services to victims of dating violence;
26 . describes the conditions that may be placed on an alleged perpetrator of dating
27 violence:

28 . in a protective order;
29 . in an order of probation for violation of a protective order relating to dating
30 violence; or
31 . as a condition of release prior to trial for violation of a protective order relating
32 to dating violence; and
33 . makes technical changes.
34 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
35 None
36 Other Special Clauses:
37 This bill takes effect on September 1, 2007.
38 Utah Code Sections Affected:
39 AMENDS:
40 30-6-1, as last amended by Chapter 157, Laws of Utah 2006
41 30-6-2, as last amended by Chapter 68, Laws of Utah 2003
42 30-6-4, as last amended by Chapter 157, Laws of Utah 2006
43 30-6-4.2, as last amended by Chapter 156, Laws of Utah 2005
44 30-6-4.4, as enacted by Chapter 300, Laws of Utah 1995
45 30-6-4.5, as last amended by Chapter 244, Laws of Utah 1996
46 30-6-11, as last amended by Chapter 318, Laws of Utah 1996
47 62A-4a-101, as last amended by Chapters 75 and 281, Laws of Utah 2006
48 77-36-1, as last amended by Chapter 46, Laws of Utah 2006
49 77-36-2.7, as last amended by Chapter 54, Laws of Utah 1999
50 77-36-5.1, as last amended by Chapter 244, Laws of Utah 1996
51
52 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
53 Section 1. Section 30-6-1 is amended to read:
54 30-6-1. Definitions.
55 As used in this chapter:
56 (1) "Abuse" means intentionally or knowingly:
57 (a) causing or attempting to cause [a cohabitant] physical harm to a person; or
58 [intentionally or knowingly]

59 (b) placing a [cohabitant] person in reasonable fear of imminent physical harm.
60 (2) (a) "Cohabitant" means a person who:
61 (i) (A) is an emancipated person pursuant to Section 15-2-1 ; or [a person who]
62 (B) is 16 years of age or older [who:]; and
63 [(a)] (ii) (A) is or was a spouse of the other party;
64 [(b)] (B) is or was living as if a spouse of the other party;
65 [(c)] (C) is related by blood or marriage to the other party;
66 [(d)] (D) has one or more children in common with the other party;
67 [(e)] (E) is the biological parent of the other party's unborn child; or
68 [(f)] (F) resides or has resided in the same residence as the other party.
69 [(3)] (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(a), "cohabitant" does not include:
70 [(a)] (i) the relationship of [natural] biological parent, adoptive parent, or step-parent to
71 a minor; or
72 [(b)] (ii) the relationship between [natural] biological, adoptive, step, or foster siblings
73 who are under 18 years of age.
74 [(4)] (3) "Court clerk" means a district court clerk.
75 (4) "Dating partner" means a person who:
76 (a) (i) is an emancipated person pursuant to Section 15-2-1 ; or
77 (ii) is 16 years of age or older; and
78 (b) is, or has been, in a dating relationship with the other party.
79 (5) (a) "Dating relationship" means a social relationship of a romantic or intimate
80 nature, regardless of whether the relationship involves sexual intimacy.
81 (b) "Dating relationship" does not include:
82 (i) a casual relationship; or
83 (ii) casual fraternization between two individuals in a business, educational, or social
84 context.
85 (c) In determining, based on a totality of the circumstances, whether a dating
86 relationship exists:
87 (i) all relevant factors should be considered, including:
88 (A) whether the parties developed a minimal social, interpersonal bonding, over and
89 above a mere casual fraternization;

90 (B) the length of the parties' relationship;
91 (C) the nature and frequency of the parties' interactions;
92 (D) the ongoing expectations of the parties, individually or jointly, with respect to the
93 relationship;
94 (E) whether, by statement or conduct, the parties demonstrated an affirmation of their
95 relationship before others; and
96 (F) whether other reasons exist that support or detract from a finding that a dating
97 relationship exists; and
98 (ii) it is not necessary that all, or a particular number, of the factors described in
99 Subsection (5)(c)(i) are found to support the existence of a dating relationship.
100 (6) "Dating violence" means:
101 (a) any criminal offense involving violence or physical harm or threat of violence or
102 physical harm, or any attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit a criminal offense
103 involving violence or physical harm, when committed by one dating partner against another; or
104 (b) the commission or attempt to commit, any of the following offenses by one dating
105 partner against another:
106 (i) aggravated assault, as described in Section 76-5-103 ;
107 (ii) assault, as described in Section 76-5-102 ;
108 (iii) criminal homicide, as described in Section 76-5-201 ;
109 (iv) harassment, as described in Section 76-5-106 ;
110 (v) electronic communication harassment, as described in Section 76-9-201 ;
111 (vi) kidnaping, child kidnaping, or aggravated kidnaping, as described in Sections
112 76-5-301 , 76-5-301.1 , and 76-5-302 ;
113 (vii) mayhem, as described in Section 76-5-105 ;
114 (viii) sexual offenses, as described in Title 76, Chapter 5, Part 4, Sexual Offenses, and
115 Title 76, Chapter 5a, Sexual Exploitation of Children;
116 (ix) stalking, as described in Section 76-5-106.5 ;
117 (x) unlawful detention, as described in Section 76-5-304 ;
118 (xi) violation of a protective order or ex parte protective order, as described in Section
119 76-5-108 ;
120 (xii) any offense against property described in Title 76, Chapter 6, Part 1, Property

121 Destruction, Part 2, Burglary and Criminal Trespass, or Part 3, Robbery;
122 (xiii) possession of a deadly weapon with intent to assault, as described in Section
123 76-10-507 ; or
124 (xiv) discharge of a firearm from a vehicle, near a highway, or in the direction of any
125 person, building, or vehicle, as described in Section 76-10-508 .
126 [(5)] (7) "Domestic violence" [means the same as that term] is as defined in Section
127 77-36-1 .
128 [(6)] (8) "Ex parte protective order" means an order issued without notice to the
129 defendant in accordance with this chapter.
130 [(7)] (9) "Foreign protection order" is as defined in Section 30-6a-102 .
131 [(8)] (10) "Law enforcement unit" or "law enforcement agency" means any public
132 agency having general police power and charged with making arrests in connection with
133 enforcement of the criminal statutes and ordinances of this state or any political subdivision.
134 [(9)] (11) "Peace officer" means those persons specified in Title 53, Chapter 13, Peace
135 Officer Classifications.
136 [(10)] (12) "Protective order" means an order issued pursuant to this chapter
137 subsequent to a hearing on the petition, of which the petitioner and respondent have been given
138 notice in accordance with this chapter.
139 Section 2. Section 30-6-2 is amended to read:
140 30-6-2. Abuse or danger of abuse -- Protective orders.
141 (1) (a) Any [cohabitant who has been subjected to abuse or domestic violence, or to
142 whom there is a substantial likelihood of abuse or domestic violence,] person may seek an ex
143 parte protective order or a protective order in accordance with this chapter, if the person is
144 subjected to, or there is a substantial likelihood that the person will be subjected to:
145 (i) abuse by a cohabitant or a dating partner of the person;
146 (ii) domestic violence by a cohabitant of the person; or
147 (iii) dating violence by a dating partner of the person.
148 (b) A person may seek an order described in Subsection (1)(a), whether or not that
149 person:
150 (i) has left the residence or the premises in an effort to avoid further abuse[.]; or
151 (ii) has taken other action to end the relationship.

152 (2) A petition for a protective order may be filed under this chapter regardless of
153 whether an action for divorce between the parties is pending.
154 (3) A petition seeking a protective order may not be withdrawn without approval of the
155 court.
156 Section 3. Section 30-6-4 is amended to read:
157 30-6-4. Forms for petitions and protective orders -- Assistance.
158 (1) (a) The offices of the court clerk shall provide forms and nonlegal assistance to
159 persons seeking to proceed under this chapter.
160 (b) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall develop and adopt uniform forms for
161 petitions and orders for protection in accordance with the provisions of this chapter on or
162 before September 1, [1995] 2007. That office shall provide the forms to the clerk of each court
163 authorized to issue protective orders. The forms shall include:
164 (i) a statement notifying the petitioner for an ex parte protective order that knowing
165 falsification of any statement or information provided for the purpose of obtaining a protective
166 order may subject the petitioner to felony prosecution;
167 (ii) a separate portion of the form for those provisions, the violation of which is a
168 criminal offense, and a separate portion for those provisions, the violation of which is a civil
169 violation, as provided in Subsection 30-6-4.2 [(5)](6);
170 (iii) language in the criminal provision portion stating violation of any criminal
171 provision is a class A misdemeanor, and language in the civil portion stating violation of or
172 failure to comply with a civil provision is subject to contempt proceedings;
173 (iv) a space for information the petitioner is able to provide to facilitate identification
174 of the respondent, such as social security number, driver license number, date of birth, address,
175 telephone number, and physical description;
176 (v) a space for the petitioner to request a specific period of time for the civil provisions
177 to be in effect, not to exceed 150 days, unless the petitioner provides in writing the reason for
178 the requested extension of the length of time beyond 150 days;
179 (vi) a statement advising the petitioner that when a minor child is included in an ex
180 parte protective order or a protective order, as part of either the criminal or the civil portion of
181 the order, the petitioner may provide a copy of the order to the principal of the school where the
182 child attends; and

183 (vii) a statement advising the petitioner that if the respondent fails to return custody of
184 a minor child to the petitioner as ordered in a protective order, the petitioner may obtain from
185 the court a writ of assistance.
186 (2) If the person seeking to proceed under this chapter is not represented by an
187 attorney, it is the responsibility of the court clerk's office to provide:
188 (a) the forms adopted pursuant to Subsection (1);
189 (b) all other forms required to petition for an order for protection including, but not
190 limited to, forms for service;
191 (c) clerical assistance in filling out the forms and filing the petition, in accordance with
192 Subsection (1)(a). A court clerk's office may designate any other entity, agency, or person to
193 provide that service, but the court clerk's office is responsible to see that the service is
194 provided;
195 (d) information regarding the means available for the service of process;
196 (e) a list of legal service organizations that may represent the petitioner in an action
197 brought under this chapter, together with the telephone numbers of those organizations; and
198 (f) written information regarding the procedure for transporting a jailed or imprisoned
199 respondent to the protective order hearing, including an explanation of the use of transportation
200 order forms when necessary.
201 (3) No charges may be imposed by a court clerk, constable, or law enforcement agency
202 for:
203 (a) filing a petition under this chapter;
204 (b) obtaining an ex parte protective order;
205 (c) obtaining copies, either certified or not certified, necessary for service or delivery to
206 law enforcement officials; or
207 (d) fees for service of a petition, ex parte protective order, or protective order.
208 (4) A petition for an order of protection shall be in writing and verified.
209 (5) (a) All orders for protection shall be issued in the form adopted by the
210 Administrative Office of the Courts pursuant to Subsection (1).
211 (b) Each protective order issued, except orders issued ex parte, shall include the
212 following language:
213 "Respondent was afforded both notice and opportunity to be heard in the hearing that

214 gave rise to this order. Pursuant to the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, P.L. 103-322,
215 108 Stat. 1796, 18 U.S.C.A. 2265, this order is valid in all the United States, the District of
216 Columbia, tribal lands, and United States territories. This order complies with the Uniform
217 Interstate Enforcement of Domestic Violence Protection Orders Act."
218 Section 4. Section 30-6-4.2 is amended to read:
219 30-6-4.2. Protective orders -- Ex parte protective orders -- Modification of orders
220 -- Service of process -- Duties of the court.
221 (1) If it appears from a petition for an order for protection or a petition to modify an
222 order for protection that domestic violence, dating violence, or abuse has occurred or a
223 modification of an order for protection is required, a court may:
224 (a) without notice, immediately issue an order for protection ex parte or modify an
225 order for protection ex parte as [it] the court considers necessary to protect the petitioner and
226 all parties named to be protected in the petition; or
227 (b) upon notice, issue an order for protection or modify an order after a hearing,
228 whether or not the respondent appears.
229 (2) A court may grant the following relief without notice in an order for protection or a
230 modification issued ex parte:
231 (a) enjoin the respondent from threatening to commit or committing domestic violence,
232 dating violence, or abuse against the petitioner and any designated family or household
233 member;
234 (b) prohibit the respondent from harassing, telephoning, contacting, or otherwise
235 communicating with the petitioner, directly or indirectly;
236 (c) order that the respondent:
237 (i) is excluded and must stay away from the petitioner's residence and its premises[,
238 and order the respondent to];
239 (ii) except as provided in Subsection (4), stay away from the [residence,] petitioner's:
240 (A) school[, or] and its premises; and
241 (B) place of employment [of the petitioner, and the premises of any of these, or] and its
242 premises; and
243 (iii) stay away from any specified place frequented by the petitioner [and] or any
244 designated family or household member;

245 (d) prohibit the respondent from being within a specified distance of the petitioner;
246 [(d)] (e) upon finding that the respondent's use or possession of a weapon may pose a
247 serious threat of harm to the petitioner, prohibit the respondent from purchasing, using, or
248 possessing a firearm or other weapon specified by the court;
249 [(e)] (f) order possession and use of an automobile and other essential personal effects,
250 and direct the appropriate law enforcement officer to accompany the petitioner to the residence
251 of the parties to ensure that the petitioner is safely restored to possession of the residence,
252 automobile, and other essential personal effects, or to supervise the petitioner's or respondent's
253 removal of personal belongings;
254 [(f)] (g) if the petitioner is a cohabitant of the other party, grant to the petitioner
255 temporary custody of any minor children of the parties;
256 [(g)] (h) order any further relief that the court considers necessary to provide for the
257 safety and welfare of the petitioner and any designated family or household member; and
258 [(h)] (i) if [the] a petition by a cohabitant requests child support or spousal support, at
259 the hearing on the petition order both parties to provide verification of current income,
260 including year-to-date pay stubs or employer statements of year-to-date or other period of
261 earnings, as specified by the court, and complete copies of tax returns from at least the most
262 recent year.
263 (3) A court may grant the following relief in an order for protection or a modification
264 of an order after notice and hearing, whether or not the respondent appears:
265 (a) grant the relief described in Subsection (2); and
266 (b) if the petitioner is a cohabitant of the other party, specify arrangements for
267 parent-time of any minor child by the respondent and require supervision of that parent-time by
268 a third party or deny parent-time if necessary to protect the safety of the petitioner or child.
269 (4) If the petitioner is a dating partner, and not a cohabitant, of the respondent, a court:
270 (a) may not enter an order under Subsection (2)(c)(ii) that:
271 (i) excludes the respondent from the petitioner's school if the respondent attends the
272 same school as the petitioner; or
273 (ii) excludes the respondent from the petitioner's place of employment if the
274 respondent is employed at the same location as the petitioner; and
275 (b) may enter an order governing the respondent's conduct at a location described in

276 Subsection (4)(a).
277 [(4)] (5) Following the protective order hearing, the court shall:
278 (a) as soon as possible, deliver the order to the county sheriff for service of process;
279 (b) make reasonable efforts to ensure that the order for protection is understood by the
280 petitioner, and the respondent, if present;
281 (c) transmit, by the end of the next business day after the order is issued, a copy of the
282 order for protection to the local law enforcement agency or agencies designated by the
283 petitioner; and
284 (d) transmit a copy of the order to the statewide domestic violence network described
285 in Section 30-6-8 .
286 [(5)] (6) (a) Each protective order shall include two separate portions, one for
287 provisions, the violation of which are criminal offenses, and one for provisions, the violation of
288 which are civil violations, as follows:
289 (i) criminal offenses are those under Subsections (2)(a) through [(e)] (f), and under
290 Subsection (3)(a) as it refers to Subsections (2)(a) through [(e)] (f); and
291 (ii) civil offenses are those under Subsections (2)[(f)](g) through [(h)] (i), and
292 Subsection (3)(a) as it refers to Subsections (2)[(f)](g) through [(h)] (i).
293 (b) The criminal provision portion shall include a statement that violation of any
294 criminal provision is a class A misdemeanor.
295 (c) The civil provision portion shall include a notice that violation of or failure to
296 comply with a civil provision is subject to contempt proceedings.
297 [(6)] (7) The protective order shall include:
298 (a) a designation of a specific date, determined by the court, when the civil portion of
299 the protective order either expires or is scheduled for review by the court, which date may not
300 exceed 150 days after the date the order is issued, unless the court indicates on the record the
301 reason for setting a date beyond 150 days;
302 (b) information the petitioner is able to provide to facilitate identification of the
303 respondent, such as Social Security number, driver license number, date of birth, address,
304 telephone number, and physical description; and
305 (c) except for a protective order described in Subsection (8)(a), a statement advising
306 the petitioner that:

307 (i) after two years from the date of issuance of the protective order, a hearing may be
308 held to dismiss the criminal portion of the protective order;
309 (ii) the petitioner should, within the 30 days prior to the end of the two-year period,
310 advise the court of the petitioner's current address for notice of any hearing; and
311 (iii) the address provided by the petitioner will not be made available to the respondent.
312 (8) (a) A protective order issued under this section between parties who are dating
313 partners, but are not cohabitants, shall expire 180 days after the day on which the order is
314 issued, unless, subject to Subsection (8)(b), the court indicates on the record the reason for
315 setting an expiration date that is more than 180 days after the day on which the order is issued.
316 (b) A court may not set an expiration date for a protective order described in
317 Subsection (8)(a) that is more than two years after the day on which the order is issued.
318 [(7)] (9) Child support and spouse support orders issued as part of a protective order
319 are subject to mandatory income withholding under Title 62A, Chapter 11, Part 4, Income
320 Withholding in IV-D Cases, and Title 62A, Chapter 11, Part 5, Income Withholding in Non
321 IV-D Cases, except when the protective order is issued ex parte.
322 [(8)] (10) (a) The county sheriff that receives the order from the court, pursuant to
323 Subsection [(5)] (6)(a), shall provide expedited service for orders for protection issued in
324 accordance with this chapter, and shall transmit verification of service of process, when the
325 order has been served, to the statewide domestic violence network described in Section 30-6-8 .
326 (b) This section does not prohibit any law enforcement agency from providing service
327 of process if that law enforcement agency:
328 (i) has contact with the respondent and service by that law enforcement agency is
329 possible; or
330 (ii) determines that under the circumstances, providing service of process on the
331 respondent is in the best interests of the petitioner.
332 [(9)] (11) (a) When an order is served on a respondent in a jail or other holding facility,
333 the law enforcement agency managing the facility shall make a reasonable effort to provide
334 notice to the petitioner at the time the respondent is released from incarceration.
335 (b) Notification of the petitioner shall consist of a good faith reasonable effort to
336 provide notification, including mailing a copy of the notification to the last-known address of
337 the victim.

338 [(10)] (12) A court may modify or vacate an order of protection or any provisions in
339 the order after notice and hearing, except that the criminal provisions of a protective order may
340 not be vacated within two years of issuance unless the petitioner:
341 (a) is personally served with notice of the hearing as provided in Rules 4 and 5, Utah
342 Rules of Civil Procedure, and the petitioner personally appears before the court and gives
343 specific consent to the vacation of the criminal provisions of the protective order; or
344 (b) submits a verified affidavit, stating agreement to the vacation of the criminal
345 provisions of the protective order.
346 [(11)] (13) A protective order may be modified without a showing of substantial and
347 material change in circumstances.
348 [(12)] (14) Insofar as the provisions of this chapter are more specific than the Utah
349 Rules of Civil Procedure, regarding protective orders, the provisions of this chapter govern.
350 Section 5. Section 30-6-4.4 is amended to read:
351 30-6-4.4. No denial of relief solely because of lapse of time.
352 The court may not deny a petitioner relief requested pursuant to this chapter solely
353 because of a lapse of time between an act of domestic violence, dating violence, or abuse and
354 the filing of the petition for an order of protection.
355 Section 6. Section 30-6-4.5 is amended to read:
356 30-6-4.5. Mutual protective orders prohibited.
357 (1) A court may not grant a mutual order or mutual orders for protection to opposing
358 parties, unless each party:
359 (a) has filed an independent petition against the other for a protective order, and both
360 petitions have been served;
361 (b) makes a showing at a due process protective order hearing of [abuse or] domestic
362 violence, dating violence, or abuse committed by the other party; and
363 (c) demonstrates that the [abuse or] domestic violence, dating violence, or abuse did
364 not occur in self-defense.
365 (2) If the court issues mutual protective orders, the circumstances justifying those
366 orders shall be documented in the case file.
367 Section 7. Section 30-6-11 is amended to read:
368 30-6-11. Division of Child and Family Services -- Development and assistance of

369 volunteer network.
370 (1) The Division of Child and Family Services within the Department of Human
371 Services shall, either directly or by contract:
372 (a) develop a statewide network of volunteers and community resources to support,
373 assist, and advocate on behalf of victims of domestic violence and dating violence;
374 (b) train volunteers to provide clerical assistance to persons seeking orders for