S.B. 208

1

COHABITANT ABUSE ACT AMENDMENTS
2 1999 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Sponsor: Terry R. Spencer
5 AN ACT RELATING TO THE COHABITANT ABUSE ACT; REQUIRING CLEAR AND
6 CONVINCING EVIDENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR ABUSE BEFORE AN EX PARTE
7 PROTECTIVE ORDER MAY BE ISSUED; REQUIRING PROTECTIVE ORDER TO BE FILED
8 AS PART OF ANY PENDING DIVORCE PROCEEDING EXCLUSIVELY IN DISTRICT
9 COURT; PROHIBITING PROTECTIVE ORDERS FROM GRANTING TEMPORARY
10 CUSTODY OF MINOR CHILDREN; LIMITING ABILITY OF PROTECTIVE ORDER TO
11 AFFECT VISITATION OF MINOR CHILDREN AND REQUIRING ADDITIONAL HEARING;
12 ALLOWING MUTUAL PROTECTIVE ORDERS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
13 This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
14 AMENDS:
15 30-6-2, as last amended by Chapter 244, Laws of Utah 1996
16 30-6-4, as last amended by Chapter 10, Laws of Utah 1997
17 30-6-4.2, as last amended by Chapter 10, Laws of Utah 1997
18 30-6-4.5, as last amended by Chapter 244, Laws of Utah 1996
19 78-3a-104, as last amended by Chapters 274 and 315, Laws of Utah 1998
20 78-3a-105, as last amended by Chapter 274, Laws of Utah 1998
21 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
22 Section 1. Section 30-6-2 is amended to read:
23 30-6-2. Abuse or danger of abuse -- Protective orders.
24 (1) Any cohabitant or any child residing with a cohabitant who has been subjected to abuse
25 or domestic violence, or to whom there is a substantial likelihood of immediate danger of abuse
26 or domestic violence, may seek an ex parte protective order or a protective order in accordance
27 with this chapter, whether or not that person has left the residence or the premises in an effort to

28 avoid further abuse.
29 (2) (a) A petition for a protective order may be filed under this chapter regardless of
30 whether an action for divorce between the parties is pending.
31 (b) If a complaint for divorce has already been filed in district court, a petition under this
32 chapter [may] shall be filed as part of the divorce proceedings, and the petitioner shall provide
33 notice, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, to the respondent and counsel
34 representing the respondent.
35 (3) A cohabitant, the department, or any person or institution interested in a minor may
36 seek a protective order on behalf of the minor under the circumstances described in Subsection (1),
37 regardless of whether the minor could have filed a petition on his own behalf. If a cohabitant
38 intends to seek a protective order on his own behalf and on behalf of a minor, a single petition may
39 be filed.
40 (4) The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the minor if the court considers
41 the appointment necessary for the welfare of the minor.
42 (5) The county attorney or district attorney, if appropriate, shall represent the department
43 where the department appears as a petitioner.
44 (6) A petition seeking a protective order may not be withdrawn without approval of the
45 court.
46 Section 2. Section 30-6-4 is amended to read:
47 30-6-4. Forms for petitions and protective orders -- Assistance.
48 (1) (a) The offices of the court clerk shall provide forms and nonlegal assistance to persons
49 seeking to proceed under this chapter.
50 (b) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall develop and adopt uniform forms for
51 petitions and orders for protection in accordance with the provisions of this chapter on or before
52 September 1, 1995. That office shall provide the forms to the clerk of each court authorized to
53 issue protective orders. The forms shall include:
54 (i) a statement notifying the petitioner for an ex parte protective order that knowing
55 falsification of any statement or information provided for the purpose of obtaining a protective
56 order may subject the petitioner to felony prosecution;
57 (ii) a separate portion of the form for those provisions, the violation of which is a criminal
58 offense, and a separate portion for those provisions, the violation of which is a civil violation, as

59 provided in Subsection 30-6-4.2 (5);
60 (iii) language in the criminal provision portion stating violation of any criminal provision
61 is a class A misdemeanor, and language in the civil portion stating violation of or failure to comply
62 with a civil provision is subject to contempt proceedings;
63 (iv) a space for information the petitioner is able to provide to facilitate identification of
64 the respondent, such as social security number, driver license number, date of birth, address,
65 telephone number, and physical description;
66 (v) a space for the petitioner to request a specific period of time for the civil provisions to
67 be in effect, not to exceed 150 days, unless the petitioner provides in writing the reason for the
68 requested extension of the length of time beyond 150 days;
69 (vi) a statement advising the petitioner that when a minor child is included in an ex parte
70 protective order or a protective order, as part of either the criminal or the civil portion of the order,
71 the petitioner may provide a copy of the order to the principal of the school where the child
72 attends; and
73 (vii) a statement advising the petitioner that if the respondent fails to return custody of a
74 minor child to the petitioner as ordered in a protective order, the petitioner may obtain from the
75 court a writ of assistance.
76 (2) If the person seeking to proceed under this chapter is not represented by an attorney,
77 it is the responsibility of the court clerk's office to provide:
78 (a) the forms adopted pursuant to Subsection (1);
79 (b) all other forms required to petition for an order for protection including, but not limited
80 to, forms for service;
81 (c) clerical assistance in filling out the forms and filing the petition, in accordance with
82 Subsection (1)(a). A court clerk's office may designate any other entity, agency, or person to
83 provide that service, but the court clerk's office is responsible to see that the service is provided;
84 (d) information regarding the means available for the service of process;
85 (e) a list of legal service organizations that may represent the petitioner in an action
86 brought under this chapter, together with the telephone numbers of those organizations; and
87 (f) written information regarding the procedure for transporting a jailed or imprisoned
88 respondent to the protective order hearing, including an explanation of the use of transportation
89 order forms when necessary.

90 (3) No charges may be imposed by a court clerk, constable, or law enforcement agency for:
91 (a) filing a petition under this chapter;
92 (b) obtaining an ex parte protective order;
93 (c) obtaining copies, either certified or not certified, necessary for service or delivery to
94 law enforcement officials; or
95 (d) fees for service of a petition, ex parte protective order, or protective order.
96 (4) A petition for an order of protection shall be in writing [and], verified, and shall
97 include documentation of clear and convincing evidence of the need for an order of protection.
98 That evidence may be in the form of a police report or other documentation of domestic violence
99 or abuse.
100 (5) (a) All orders for protection shall be issued in the form adopted by the Administrative
101 Office of the Courts pursuant to Subsection (1).
102 (b) Each protective order issued, except orders issued ex parte, shall include the following
103 language:
104 "Respondent was afforded both notice and opportunity to be heard in the hearing that gave
105 rise to this order. Pursuant to the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, P.L. 103-322, 108 Stat.
106 1796, 18 U.S.C.A. 2265, this order is valid in all the United States, the District of Columbia, tribal
107 lands, and United States territories."
108 Section 3. Section 30-6-4.2 is amended to read:
109 30-6-4.2. Protective orders -- Ex parte protective orders -- Modification of orders --
110 Service of process -- Duties of the court.
111 (1) If it appears from a petition for an order for protection or a petition to modify an order
112 for protection that domestic violence or abuse has occurred or a modification of an order for
113 protection is required, a court may:
114 (a) without notice, upon receipt of a petition demonstrating clear and convincing evidence
115 of the occurrence of domestic violence or abuse and of the need for a protective order, immediately
116 issue an order for protection ex parte or modify an order for protection ex parte as it considers
117 necessary to protect the petitioner and all parties named to be protected in the petition; or
118 (b) upon notice, issue an order for protection or modify an order after a hearing, whether
119 or not the respondent appears.
120 (2) A court may grant the following relief without notice in an order for protection or a

121 modification issued ex parte:
122 (a) enjoin the respondent from threatening to commit or committing domestic violence or
123 abuse against the petitioner and any designated family or household member;
124 (b) prohibit the respondent from harassing, telephoning, contacting, or otherwise
125 communicating with the petitioner, directly or indirectly;
126 (c) order that the respondent is excluded from the petitioner's residence and its premises,
127 and order the respondent to stay away from the residence, school, or place of employment of the
128 petitioner, and the premises of any of these, or any specified place frequented by the petitioner and
129 any designated family or household member;
130 (d) upon finding that the respondent's use or possession of a weapon may pose a serious
131 threat of harm to the petitioner, prohibit the respondent from purchasing, using, or possessing a
132 firearm or other weapon specified by the court;
133 (e) order possession and use of an automobile and other essential personal effects, and
134 direct the appropriate law enforcement officer to accompany the petitioner to the residence of the
135 parties to ensure that the petitioner is safely restored to possession of the residence, automobile,
136 and other essential personal effects, or to supervise the petitioner's or respondent's removal of
137 personal belongings;
138 [(f) grant temporary custody of any minor children to the petitioner;]
139 [(g)] (f) order any further relief that the court considers necessary to provide for the safety
140 and welfare of the petitioner and any designated family or household member; and
141 [(h)] (g) if the petition requests child support or spousal support, at the hearing on the
142 petition order both parties to provide verification of current income, including year-to-date pay
143 stubs or employer statements of year-to-date or other period of earnings, as specified by the court,
144 and complete copies of tax returns from at least the most recent year.
145 (3) A court may grant the following relief in an order for protection or a modification of
146 an order after notice and hearing, whether or not the respondent appears:
147 (a) grant the relief described in Subsection (2); and
148 (b) specify arrangements for visitation of any minor child by [the respondent and require
149 supervision of that visitation by a third party or deny visitation if necessary to protect the safety
150 of the petitioner or child] both parties until a further hearing can be held on the issue of visitation.
151 (4) Following the protective order hearing, the court shall:

152 (a) as soon as possible, deliver the order to the county sheriff for service of process;
153 (b) make reasonable efforts to ensure that the order for protection is understood by the
154 petitioner, and the respondent, if present;
155 (c) transmit, by the end of the next business day after the order is issued, a copy of the
156 order for protection to the local law enforcement agency or agencies designated by the petitioner;
157 and
158 (d) transmit a copy of the order to the statewide domestic violence network described in
159 Section 30-6-8 .
160 (5) (a) Each protective order shall include two separate portions, one for provisions, the
161 violation of which are criminal offenses, and one for provisions, the violation of which are civil
162 violations, as follows:
163 (i) criminal offenses are those under Subsections 30-6-4.2 (2)(a) through (e), and under
164 Subsection 30-6-4.2 (3)(a) as it refers to Subsections 30-6-4.2 (2)(a) through (e); and
165 (ii) civil offenses are those under Subsections 30-6-4.2 (2)(f) [through (h)] and (g), and
166 Subsection 30-6-4.2 (3)(a) as it refers to Subsections 30-6-4.2 (2)(f) [through (h)] and (g).
167 (b) The criminal provision portion shall include a statement that violation of any criminal
168 provision is a class A misdemeanor.
169 (c) The civil provision portion shall include a notice that violation of or failure to comply
170 with a civil provision is subject to contempt proceedings.
171 (6) The protective order shall include:
172 (a) a designation of a specific date, determined by the court, when the civil portion of the
173 protective order either expires or is scheduled for review by the court, which date may not exceed
174 150 days after the date the order is issued, unless the court indicates on the record the reason for
175 setting a date beyond 150 days;
176 (b) information the petitioner is able to provide to facilitate identification of the
177 respondent, such as social security number, driver license number, date of birth, address, telephone
178 number, and physical description; and
179 (c) a statement advising the petitioner that:
180 (i) after three years from the date of issuance of the protective order, a hearing may be held
181 to dismiss the criminal portion of the protective order;
182 (ii) the petitioner should, within the 30 days prior to the end of the three-year period,

183 advise the court of the petitioner's current address for notice of any hearing; and
184 (iii) the address provided by the petitioner will not be made available to the respondent.
185 (7) Child support and spouse support orders issued as part of a protective order are subject
186 to mandatory income withholding under Title 62A, Chapter 11, Part 4, Income Withholding in
187 IV-D Cases, and Title 62A, Chapter 11, Part 5, [Universal] Income Withholding [-] in Non IV-D
188 [Obligees] Cases, except when the protective order is issued ex parte.
189 (8) (a) The county sheriff that receives the order from the court, pursuant to Subsection
190 (5)(a), shall provide expedited service for orders for protection issued in accordance with this
191 chapter, and shall transmit verification of service of process, when the order has been served, to
192 the statewide domestic violence network described in Section 30-6-8 .
193 (b) This section does not prohibit any law enforcement agency from providing service of
194 process if that law enforcement agency:
195 (i) has contact with the respondent and service by that law enforcement agency is possible;
196 or
197 (ii) determines that under the circumstances, providing service of process on the
198 respondent is in the best interests of the petitioner.
199 (9) (a) When an order is served on a respondent in a jail or other holding facility, the law
200 enforcement agency managing the facility shall make a reasonable effort to provide notice to the
201 petitioner at the time the respondent is released from incarceration.
202 (b) Notification of the petitioner shall consist of a good faith reasonable effort to provide
203 notification, including mailing a copy of the notification to the last-known address of the victim.
204 (10) (a) A court may modify or vacate an order of protection or any provisions in the order
205 after notice and hearing, except as limited under Subsection (10)(b).
206 (b) Criminal provisions of a protective order may not be vacated within three years of
207 issuance unless the petitioner:
208 (i) is personally served with notice of the hearing as provided in Rules 4 and 5, Utah Rules
209 of Civil Procedure, and the petitioner personally appears before the court and gives specific
210 consent to the vacation of the criminal provisions of the protective order; or
211 (ii) submits a verified affidavit, stating agreement to the vacation of the criminal
212 provisions of the protective order.
213 (11) A protective order may be modified without a showing of substantial and material

214 change in circumstances.
215 (12) Insofar as the provisions of this chapter are more specific than the Utah Rules of Civil
216 Procedure, regarding protective orders, the provisions of this chapter govern.
217 Section 4. Section 30-6-4.5 is amended to read:
218 30-6-4.5. Mutual protective orders.
219 [(1) A court may not grant a mutual order or mutual orders for protection to opposing
220 parties, unless each party:]
221 [(a) has filed an independent petition against the other for a protective order, and both
222 petitions have been served;]
223 [(b) makes a showing at a due process protective order hearing of abuse or domestic
224 violence committed by the other party; and]
225 [(c) demonstrates the abuse or domestic violence did not occur in self-defense.]
226 [(2)] If the court issues mutual protective orders, the circumstances justifying those orders
227 shall be documented in the case file.
228 Section 5. Section 78-3a-104 is amended to read:
229 78-3a-104. Jurisdiction of juvenile court -- Original -- Exclusive.
230 (1) Except as otherwise provided by law, the juvenile court has exclusive original
231 jurisdiction in proceedings concerning:
232 (a) a minor who has violated any federal, state, or local law or municipal ordinance or a
233 person younger than 21 years of age who has violated any law or ordinance before becoming 18
234 years of age, regardless of where the violation occurred, excluding traffic laws and ordinances;
235 (b) a person 21 years of age or older who has failed or refused to comply with an order of
236 the juvenile court to pay a fine or restitution, if the order was imposed prior to the person's 21st
237 birthday; however, the continuing jurisdiction is limited to causing compliance with existing
238 orders;
239 (c) a minor who is an abused child, neglected child, or dependent child, as those terms are
240 defined in Section 78-3a-103 ;
241 (d) a protective order for a minor who is alleged to be an abused child or neglected child,
242 except as provided in Section 78-3a-105 , and unless:
243 (i) the petition is filed by a natural parent of the minor against a natural parent of the
244 minor; or

245 (ii) the petition is otherwise filed during the pendency of a divorce proceeding between
246 the child's parents, one of whom is alleged to have abused or neglected the child;
247 (e) the determination of the custody of a minor or to appoint a guardian of the person or
248 other guardian of a minor who comes within the court's jurisdiction under other provisions of this
249 section;
250 (f) the termination of the legal parent-child relationship in accordance with Part 4,
251 Termination of Parental Rights Act, including termination of residual parental rights and duties;
252 (g) the treatment or commitment of a mentally retarded minor;
253 (h) a minor who, in defiance of earnest and persistent efforts on the part of his parents and
254 school authorities as required under Section 53A-11-103 , is a habitual truant from school;
255 (i) the judicial consent to the marriage of a minor under age 16 upon a determination of
256 voluntariness or where otherwise required by law, employment, or enlistment of a minor when
257 consent is required by law;
258 (j) any parent or parents of a minor committed to a secure youth corrections facility, to
259 order, at the discretion of the court and on the recommendation of a secure youth corrections
260 facility, the parent or parents of a minor committed to a secure youth corrections facility for a
261 custodial term, to undergo group rehabilitation therapy under the direction of a secure youth
262 corrections facility therapist, who has supervision of that parent's or parents' minor, or any other
263 therapist the court may direct, for a period directed by the court as recommended by a secure youth
264 corrections facility;
265 (k) a minor under Title 55, Chapter 12, Interstate Compact on Juveniles;
266 (l) the treatment or commitment of a mentally ill child. The court may commit a child to
267 the physical custody of a local mental health authority or to the legal custody of the Division of
268 Mental Health in accordance with the procedures and requirements of Title 62A, Chapter 12, Part
269 2A, Commitment of Persons Under Age 18 to Division of Mental Health. The court may not
270 commit a child directly to the Utah State Hospital; and
271 (m) the commitment of a minor in accordance with Section 62A-8-501 .
272 (2) In addition to the provisions of Subsection (1)(a) the juvenile court has exclusive
273 jurisdiction over any traffic offense committed by a minor under 16 years of age and concurrent
274 jurisdiction over all other traffic offenses committed by a minor 16 years of age or older, except
275 that the court shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the following traffic offenses committed by

276 a minor under 18 years of age:
277 (a) Section 76-5-207 , automobile homicide;
278 (b) Section 41-6-44 , operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
279 (c) Section 41-6-45 , reckless driving;
280 (d) Section 41-1a-1314 , unauthorized control over a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer
281 for an extended period of time; and
282 (e) Section 41-6-13.5 , fleeing a peace officer.
283 (3) The court also has jurisdiction over traffic offenses that are part of a single criminal
284 episode filed in a petition that contains an offense over which the court has jurisdiction.
285 (4) The juvenile court has jurisdiction over questions of custody, support, and visitation
286 certified to it by the district court pursuant to Section 78-3a-105 .
287 (5) The juvenile court has jurisdiction over an ungovernable or runaway minor who is
288 referred to it by the Division of Child and Family Services or by public or private agencies that
289 contract with the division to provide services to that minor where, despite earnest and persistent
290 efforts by the division or agency, the minor has demonstrated that he:
291 (a) is beyond the control of his parent, guardian, lawful custodian, or school authorities
292 to the extent that his behavior or condition endangers his own welfare or the welfare of others; or
293 (b) has run away from home.
294 (6) This section does not restrict the right of access to the juvenile court by private
295 agencies or other persons.
296 (7) The juvenile court has jurisdiction of all magistrate functions relative to cases arising
297 under Section 78-3a-602 .
298 Section 6. Section 78-3a-105 is amended to read:
299 78-3a-105. Concurrent jurisdiction -- District court and juvenile court.
300 (1) The district court or other court has concurrent jurisdiction with the juvenile court as
301 follows:
302 (a) when a person who is 18 years of age or older and who is under the continuing
303 jurisdiction of the juvenile court under Section 78-3a-118 violates any federal, state, or local law
304 or municipal ordinance;
305 (b) in adoption proceedings, when the juvenile court has previously entered an order
306 terminating the rights of a parent, and finds that adoption is in the best interest of the minor;

307 adoption proceedings under this section shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures
308 described in Title 78, Chapter 30, Adoption;
309 (c) in establishing paternity and ordering testing for the purposes of establishing paternity,
310 in accordance with Title 78, Chapter 45a, Uniform Act on Paternity, with regard to proceedings
311 initiated under Title 78, Chapter 3a, Part 3, Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Proceedings, or Title
312 78, Chapter 3a, Part 4, Termination of Parental Rights Act; and
313 (d) in proceedings brought on behalf of a minor pursuant to Title 30, Chapter 6, Cohabitant
314 Abuse Act, [unless] except that the district court has exclusive jurisdiction if the petition is filed
315 by a natural parent of the minor against a natural parent of the minor or is otherwise filed during
316 the pendency of a divorce proceeding between the child's parents, one of whom is alleged to have
317 abused or neglected the child.
318 (2) The juvenile court has jurisdiction over petitions to modify a minor's birth certificate
319 if the court otherwise has jurisdiction over the minor.
320 (3) (a) This section does not deprive the district court of jurisdiction to appoint a guardian
321 for a minor, or to determine the support, custody, and visitation of a minor upon writ of habeas
322 corpus or when the question of support, custody, and visitation is incidental to the determination
323 of a cause in the district court.
324 (b) However, if a petition involving the same minor is pending in the juvenile court or the
325 juvenile court has previously acquired continuing jurisdiction over the same minor, the district
326 court shall certify the question of support, custody, and visitation to the juvenile court for
327 determination.
328 (4) When a question is certified to the juvenile court under Subsection (3), the findings and
329 order of the juvenile court judge are the order of the district court.
330 (5) (a) Where a support, custody, or visitation award has been made by a district court in
331 a divorce action or other proceeding, and the jurisdiction of the district court in the case is
332 continuing, the juvenile court may acquire jurisdiction in a case involving the same minor if the
333 minor is dependent, abused, neglected, or otherwise comes within the jurisdiction of the juvenile
334 court under Section 78-3a-104 .
335 (b) The juvenile court may, by order, change the custody, support, and visitation rights
336 previously ordered in the district court as necessary to implement the order of the juvenile court
337 for the safety and welfare of the minor. The juvenile court order remains in effect so long as the

338 jurisdiction of the juvenile court continues.
339 (6) When a copy of the findings and order of the juvenile court has been filed with the
340 district court, the findings and order of the juvenile court are binding on the parties to the divorce
341 action as though entered in the district court.
342 Section 7. Effective date.
343 This act takes effect on July 1, 1999.




Legislative Review Note
as of 2-3-99 12:53 PM

A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel