1     
PROTECTION OF ANIMALS AMENDMENTS

2     
2022 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Angela Romero

5     
Senate Sponsor: David P. Hinkins

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill concerns protections for an animal under circumstances of domestic violence
10     and stalking.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This bill:
13          ▸     defines "household animal";
14          ▸     modifies the definition of "emotional distress" related to the offense of stalking to
15     include suffering resulting from harm to an animal;
16          ▸     requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to include a space to indicate a
17     request for protection of an animal on certain protective order forms;
18          ▸     allows the court to, when issuing certain protective orders, enjoin the respondent
19     from injuring, threatening to injure, or taking possession of certain animals; and
20          ▸     makes technical and conforming changes.
21     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
22          None
23     Other Special Clauses:
24          None
25     Utah Code Sections Affected:
26     AMENDS:
27          76-5-106.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 142
28          78B-7-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 262
29          78B-7-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 159

30          78B-7-404, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 142
31          78B-7-603, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapters 159 and 262
32     

33     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
34          Section 1. Section 76-5-106.5 is amended to read:
35          76-5-106.5. Stalking -- Definitions -- Injunction -- Penalties -- Duties of law
36     enforcement officer.
37          (1) As used in this section:
38          (a) "Course of conduct" means two or more acts directed at or toward a specific person,
39     including:
40          (i) acts in which the actor follows, monitors, observes, photographs, surveils, threatens,
41     or communicates to or about a person, or interferes with a person's property:
42          (A) directly, indirectly, or through any third party; and
43          (B) by any action, method, device, or means; or
44          (ii) when the actor engages in any of the following acts or causes someone else to
45     engage in any of these acts:
46          (A) approaches or confronts a person;
47          (B) appears at the person's workplace or contacts the person's employer or coworkers;
48          (C) appears at a person's residence or contacts a person's neighbors, or enters property
49     owned, leased, or occupied by a person;
50          (D) sends material by any means to the person or for the purpose of obtaining or
51     disseminating information about or communicating with the person to a member of the person's
52     family or household, employer, coworker, friend, or associate of the person;
53          (E) places an object on or delivers an object to property owned, leased, or occupied by
54     a person, or to the person's place of employment with the intent that the object be delivered to
55     the person; or
56          (F) uses a computer, the Internet, text messaging, or any other electronic means to
57     commit an act that is a part of the course of conduct.

58          (b) (i) "Emotional distress" means significant mental or psychological suffering,
59     whether or not medical or other professional treatment or counseling is required.
60          (ii) "Emotional distress" includes significant mental or psychological suffering
61     resulting from harm to an animal.
62          (c) "Immediate family" means a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or any other person who
63     regularly resides in the household or who regularly resided in the household within the prior six
64     months.
65          (d) "Reasonable person" means a reasonable person in the victim's circumstances.
66          (e) "Stalking" means an offense as described in Subsection (2) or (3).
67          (f) "Text messaging" means a communication in the form of electronic text or one or
68     more electronic images sent by the actor from a telephone or computer to another person's
69     telephone or computer by addressing the communication to the recipient's telephone number.
70          (2) A person is guilty of stalking who intentionally or knowingly engages in a course of
71     conduct directed at a specific person and knows or should know that the course of conduct
72     would cause a reasonable person:
73          (a) to fear for the person's own safety or the safety of a third person; or
74          (b) to suffer other emotional distress.
75          (3) A person is guilty of stalking who intentionally or knowingly violates:
76          (a) a stalking injunction issued under Title 78B, Chapter 7, Part 7, Civil Stalking
77     Injunctions; or
78          (b) a permanent criminal stalking injunction issued under Title 78B, Chapter 7, Part 9,
79     Criminal Stalking Injunctions.
80          (4) In any prosecution under this section, it is not a defense that the actor:
81          (a) was not given actual notice that the course of conduct was unwanted; or
82          (b) did not intend to cause the victim fear or other emotional distress.
83          (5) An offense of stalking may be prosecuted under this section in any jurisdiction
84     where one or more of the acts that is part of the course of conduct was initiated or caused an
85     effect on the victim.

86          (6) Stalking is a class A misdemeanor:
87          (a) upon the offender's first violation of Subsection (2); or
88          (b) if the offender violated a stalking injunction issued under Title 78B, Chapter 7, Part
89     7, Civil Stalking Injunctions.
90          (7) Stalking is a third degree felony if the offender:
91          (a) has been previously convicted of an offense of stalking;
92          (b) has been previously convicted in another jurisdiction of an offense that is
93     substantially similar to the offense of stalking;
94          (c) has been previously convicted of any felony offense in Utah or of any crime in
95     another jurisdiction which if committed in Utah would be a felony, in which the victim of the
96     stalking offense or a member of the victim's immediate family was also a victim of the
97     previous felony offense;
98          (d) violated a permanent criminal stalking injunction issued under Title 78B, Chapter
99     7, Part 9, Criminal Stalking Injunctions; or
100          (e) has been or is at the time of the offense a cohabitant, as defined in Section
101     78B-7-102, of the victim.
102          (8) Stalking is a second degree felony if the offender:
103          (a) used a dangerous weapon as defined in Section 76-1-601 or used other means or
104     force likely to produce death or serious bodily injury, in the commission of the crime of
105     stalking;
106          (b) has been previously convicted two or more times of the offense of stalking;
107          (c) has been convicted two or more times in another jurisdiction or jurisdictions of
108     offenses that are substantially similar to the offense of stalking;
109          (d) has been convicted two or more times, in any combination, of offenses under
110     Subsection (7)(a), (b), or (c);
111          (e) has been previously convicted two or more times of felony offenses in Utah or of
112     crimes in another jurisdiction or jurisdictions which, if committed in Utah, would be felonies,
113     in which the victim of the stalking was also a victim of the previous felony offenses; or

114          (f) has been previously convicted of an offense under Subsection (7)(d) or (e).
115          (9) (a) A permanent criminal stalking injunction limiting the contact between the
116     defendant and victim may be filed in accordance with Section 78B-7-902.
117          (b) This section does not preclude the filing of criminal information for stalking based
118     on the same act which is the basis for the violation of the stalking injunction issued under Title
119     78B, Chapter 7, Part 7, Civil Stalking Injunctions, or a permanent criminal stalking injunction
120     issued under Title 78B, Chapter 7, Part 9, Criminal Stalking Injunctions.
121          (10) (a) A law enforcement officer who responds to an allegation of stalking shall use
122     all reasonable means to protect the victim and prevent further violence, including:
123          (i) taking action that, in the officer's discretion, is reasonably necessary to provide for
124     the safety of the victim and any family or household member;
125          (ii) confiscating the weapon or weapons involved in the alleged stalking;
126          (iii) making arrangements for the victim and any child to obtain emergency housing or
127     shelter;
128          (iv) providing protection while the victim removes essential personal effects;
129          (v) arranging, facilitating, or providing for the victim and any child to obtain medical
130     treatment; and
131          (vi) arranging, facilitating, or providing the victim with immediate and adequate notice
132     of the rights of victims and of the remedies and services available to victims of stalking, in
133     accordance with Subsection (10)(b).
134          (b) (i) A law enforcement officer shall give written notice to the victim in simple
135     language, describing the rights and remedies available under this section and Title 78B,
136     Chapter 7, Part 7, Civil Stalking Injunctions.
137          (ii) The written notice shall also include:
138          (A) a statement that the forms needed in order to obtain a stalking injunction are
139     available from the court clerk's office in the judicial district where the victim resides or is
140     temporarily domiciled; and
141          (B) a list of shelters, services, and resources available in the appropriate community,

142     together with telephone numbers, to assist the victim in accessing any needed assistance.
143          (c) If a weapon is confiscated under this Subsection (10), the law enforcement agency
144     shall return the weapon to the individual from whom the weapon is confiscated if a stalking
145     injunction is not issued or once the stalking injunction is terminated.
146          Section 2. Section 78B-7-102 is amended to read:
147          78B-7-102. Definitions.
148          As used in this chapter:
149          (1) "Abuse" means, except as provided in Section 78B-7-201, intentionally or
150     knowingly causing or attempting to cause another individual physical harm or intentionally or
151     knowingly placing another individual in reasonable fear of imminent physical harm.
152          (2) "Affinity" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-1-601.
153          (3) "Civil protective order" means an order issued, subsequent to a hearing on the
154     petition, of which the petitioner and respondent have been given notice, under:
155          (a) Part 2, Child Protective Orders;
156          (b) Part 4, Dating Violence Protective Orders;
157          (c) Part 5, Sexual Violence Protective Orders; or
158          (d) Part 6, Cohabitant Abuse Protective Orders.
159          (4) "Civil stalking injunction" means a stalking injunction issued under Part 7, Civil
160     Stalking Injunctions.
161          (5) (a) "Cohabitant" means an emancipated individual under Section 15-2-1 or an
162     individual who is 16 years old or older who:
163          (i) is or was a spouse of the other party;
164          (ii) is or was living as if a spouse of the other party;
165          (iii) is related by blood or marriage to the other party as the individual's parent,
166     grandparent, sibling, or any other individual related to the individual by consanguinity or
167     affinity to the second degree;
168          (iv) has or had one or more children in common with the other party;
169          (v) is the biological parent of the other party's unborn child;

170          (vi) resides or has resided in the same residence as the other party; or
171          (vii) is or was in a consensual sexual relationship with the other party.
172          (b) "Cohabitant" does not include:
173          (i) the relationship of natural parent, adoptive parent, or step-parent to a minor; or
174          (ii) the relationship between natural, adoptive, step, or foster siblings who are under 18
175     years old.
176          (6) "Consanguinity" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-1-601.
177          (7) "Criminal protective order" means an order issued under Part 8, Criminal Protective
178     Orders.
179          (8) "Criminal stalking injunction" means a stalking injunction issued under Part 9,
180     Criminal Stalking Injunctions.
181          (9) "Court clerk" means a district court clerk.
182          (10) (a) "Dating partner" means an individual who:
183          (i) (A) is an emancipated individual under Section 15-2-1 or Title 80, Chapter 7,
184     Emancipation; or
185          (B) is 18 years old or older; and
186          (ii) is, or has been, in a dating relationship with the other party.
187          (b) "Dating partner" does not include an intimate partner.
188          (11) (a) "Dating relationship" means a social relationship of a romantic or intimate
189     nature, or a relationship which has romance or intimacy as a goal by one or both parties,
190     regardless of whether the relationship involves sexual intimacy.
191          (b) "Dating relationship" does not include casual fraternization in a business,
192     educational, or social context.
193          (c) In determining, based on a totality of the circumstances, whether a dating
194     relationship exists:
195          (i) all relevant factors shall be considered, including:
196          (A) whether the parties developed interpersonal bonding above a mere casual
197     fraternization;

198          (B) the length of the parties' relationship;
199          (C) the nature and the frequency of the parties' interactions, including communications
200     indicating that the parties intended to begin a dating relationship;
201          (D) the ongoing expectations of the parties, individual or jointly, with respect to the
202     relationship;
203          (E) whether, by statement or conduct, the parties demonstrated an affirmation of their
204     relationship to others; and
205          (F) whether other reasons exist that support or detract from a finding that a dating
206     relationship exists; and
207          (ii) it is not necessary that all, or a particular number, of the factors described in
208     Subsection (11)(c)(i) are found to support the existence of a dating relationship.
209          (12) "Domestic violence" means the same as that term is defined in Section 77-36-1.
210          (13) "Ex parte civil protective order" means an order issued without notice to the
211     respondent under:
212          (a) Part 2, Child Protective Orders;
213          (b) Part 4, Dating Violence Protective Orders;
214          (c) Part 5, Sexual Violence Protective Orders; or
215          (d) Part 6, Cohabitant Abuse Protective Orders.
216          (14) "Ex parte civil stalking injunction" means a stalking injunction issued without
217     notice to the respondent under Part 7, Civil Stalking Injunctions.
218          (15) "Foreign protection order" means the same as that term is defined in Section
219     78B-7-302.
220          (16) "Household animal" means an animal that is tamed and kept as a pet.
221          [(16)] (17) "Intimate partner" means the same as that term is defined in 18 U.S.C. Sec.
222     921.
223          [(17)] (18) "Law enforcement unit" or "law enforcement agency" means any public
224     agency having general police power and charged with making arrests in connection with
225     enforcement of the criminal statutes and ordinances of this state or any political subdivision.

226          [(18)] (19) "Peace officer" means those individuals specified in Title 53, Chapter 13,
227     Peace Officer Classifications.
228          [(19)] (20) "Qualifying domestic violence offense" means the same as that term is
229     defined in Section 77-36-1.1.
230          [(20)] (21) "Respondent" means the individual against whom enforcement of a
231     protective order is sought.
232          [(21)] (22) "Stalking" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-5-106.5.
233          Section 3. Section 78B-7-105 is amended to read:
234          78B-7-105. Forms for petitions, civil protective orders, and civil stalking
235     injunctions -- Assistance -- Fees.
236          (1) (a) The offices of the court clerk shall provide forms to an individual seeking any of
237     the following under this chapter:
238          (i) an ex parte civil protective order;
239          (ii) a civil protective order;
240          (iii) an ex parte stalking injunction; or
241          (iv) a civil stalking injunction.
242          (b) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall:
243          (i) develop and adopt uniform forms for petitions and the protective orders and stalking
244     injunctions described in Subsection (1)(a) in accordance with the provisions of this chapter;
245     and
246          (ii) provide the forms to the clerk of each court authorized to issue the protective orders
247     and stalking injunctions described in Subsection (1)(a).
248          (2) The forms described in Subsection (1)(b) shall include:
249          (a) for a petition for an ex parte civil protective order or a civil protective order:
250          (i) a statement notifying the petitioner for an ex parte civil protective order that
251     knowing falsification of any statement or information provided for the purpose of obtaining a
252     civil protective order may subject the petitioner to felony prosecution;
253          (ii) language indicating the criminal penalty for a violation of an ex parte civil

254     protective order or a civil protective order under this chapter and language stating a violation of
255     or failure to comply with a civil provision is subject to contempt proceedings;
256          (iii) a space for information the petitioner is able to provide to facilitate identification
257     of the respondent, including the respondent's social security number, driver license number,
258     date of birth, address, telephone number, and physical description;
259          (iv) a space for information the petitioner is able to provide related to a proceeding for
260     a civil protective order or a criminal protective order, civil litigation, a proceeding in juvenile
261     court, or a criminal case involving either party, including the case name, file number, the
262     county and state of the proceeding, and the judge's name;
263          (v) a space to indicate whether the party to be protected is an intimate partner to the
264     respondent or a child of an intimate partner to the respondent; and
265          (vi) a space for the date on which the provisions of the protective order expire; [and]
266          (b) for a petition under Part 4, Dating Violence Protective Orders, a space to indicate
267     whether an order under Subsection 78B-7-404(2)(e) or (f) regarding a household animal is
268     requested; and
269          [(b)] (c) for a petition under Part 6, Cohabitant Abuse Protective Orders:
270          (i) a separate portion of the form for those provisions, the violation of which is a
271     criminal offense, and a separate portion for those provisions, the violation of which is a civil
272     violation;
273          (ii) a statement advising the petitioner that when a child is included in an ex parte
274     protective order or a protective order, as part of either the criminal or the civil portion of the
275     order, the petitioner may provide a copy of the order to the principal of the school that the child
276     attends; [and]
277          (iii) a statement advising the petitioner that if the respondent fails to return custody of a
278     minor child to the petitioner as ordered in a protective order, the petitioner may obtain from the
279     court a writ of assistance[.]; and
280          (iv) a space to indicate whether an order under Subsection 78B-7-603(2)(k) or (l)
281     regarding a household animal is requested.

282          (3) If the individual seeking to proceed as a petitioner under this chapter is not
283     represented by an attorney, the court clerk's office shall provide nonlegal assistance, including:
284          (a) the forms adopted under Subsection (1)(b);
285          (b) all other forms required to petition for a protective order or stalking injunction
286     described in Subsection (1)(a), including forms for service;
287          (c) clerical assistance in filling out the forms and filing the petition, or if the court
288     clerk's office designates another entity, agency, or person to provide that service, oversight over
289     the entity, agency, or person to see that the service is provided;
290          (d) information regarding the means available for the service of process;
291          (e) a list of legal service organizations that may represent the petitioner in an action
292     brought under this chapter, together with the telephone numbers of those organizations; and
293          (f) written information regarding the procedure for transporting a jailed or imprisoned
294     respondent to the protective order hearing, including an explanation of the use of transportation
295     order forms when necessary.
296          (4) A court clerk, constable, or law enforcement agency may not impose a charge for:
297          (a) filing a petition under this chapter;
298          (b) obtaining an ex parte civil protective order or ex parte civil stalking injunction;
299          (c) obtaining copies, either certified or uncertified, necessary for service or delivery to
300     law enforcement officials; or
301          (d) fees for service of:
302          (i) a petition under this chapter;
303          (ii) an ex parte civil protective order;
304          (iii) a civil protective order;
305          (iv) an ex parte civil stalking injunction; or
306          (v) a civil stalking injunction.
307          (5) A petition for an ex parte civil protective order and a civil protective order shall be
308     in writing and verified.
309          (6) (a) The protective orders and stalking injunctions described in Subsection (1)(a)

310     shall be issued in the form adopted by the Administrative Office of the Courts under
311     Subsection (1)(b).
312          (b) A civil protective order that is issued shall, if applicable, include the following
313     language:
314          "Respondent was afforded both notice and opportunity to be heard in the hearing that
315     gave rise to this order. Pursuant to the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, P.L. 103-322,
316     108 Stat. 1796, 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2265, this order is valid in all the United States, the District of
317     Columbia, tribal lands, and United States territories. This order complies with the Uniform
318     Interstate Enforcement of Domestic Violence Protection Orders Act.".
319          (c) An ex parte civil protective order and a civil protective order issued under Part 6,
320     Cohabitant Abuse Protective Orders, shall include the following language:
321          "NOTICE TO PETITIONER: The court may amend or dismiss a protective order after
322     one year if it finds that the basis for the issuance of the protective order no longer exists and the
323     petitioner has repeatedly acted in contravention of the protective order provisions to
324     intentionally or knowingly induce the respondent to violate the protective order, demonstrating
325     to the court that the petitioner no longer has a reasonable fear of the respondent.".
326          (d) A child protective order issued under Part 2, Child Protective Orders, shall include:
327          (i) the date the order expires; and
328          (ii) a statement that the address provided by the petitioner will not be made available to
329     the respondent.
330          (7) (a) (i) The court clerk shall provide, without charge, to the petitioner, one certified
331     copy of a civil stalking injunction issued by the court and one certified copy of the proof of
332     service of the civil stalking injunction on the respondent.
333          (ii) A charge may be imposed by the court clerk's office for any copies in addition to
334     the copy described in Subsection (7)(a)(i), certified or uncertified.
335          (b) An ex parte civil stalking injunction and civil stalking injunction shall include the
336     following statement:
337          "Attention: This is an official court order. If you disobey this order, the court may find

338     you in contempt. You may also be arrested and prosecuted for the crime of stalking and any
339     other crime you may have committed in disobeying this order.".
340          Section 4. Section 78B-7-404 is amended to read:
341          78B-7-404. Dating violence protective orders -- Ex parte dating violence
342     protective orders -- Modification of orders -- Service of process -- Duties of the court.
343          (1) If it appears from a petition for a protective order or a petition to modify an existing
344     protective order that a dating partner of the petitioner has abused or committed dating violence
345     against the petitioner, the court may:
346          (a) without notice, immediately issue an ex parte dating violence protective order
347     against the dating partner or modify an existing dating protective order ex parte if necessary to
348     protect the petitioner and all parties named in the petition; or
349          (b) upon notice to the respondent, issue a dating violence protective order or modify a
350     dating violence protective order after a hearing, regardless of whether the respondent appears.
351          (2) A court may grant the following relief without notice in a dating violence protective
352     order or a modification issued ex parte:
353          (a) prohibit the respondent from threatening to commit or committing dating violence
354     or abuse against the petitioner and any designated family or household member described in the
355     protective order;
356          (b) prohibit the respondent from telephoning, contacting, or otherwise communicating
357     with the petitioner or any designated family or household member, directly or indirectly;
358          (c) order that the respondent:
359          (i) is excluded and shall stay away from the petitioner's residence and its premises;
360          (ii) except as provided in Subsection (4), stay away from the petitioner's:
361          (A) school and the school's premises; and
362          (B) place of employment and its premises; and
363          (iii) stay away from any specified place frequented by the petitioner or any designated
364     family or household member;
365          (d) prohibit the respondent from being within a specified distance of the petitioner;

366     [and]
367          (e) prohibit the respondent from physically injuring, threatening to injure, or taking
368     possession of a household animal that is owned or kept by the petitioner;
369          (f) prohibit the respondent from physically injuring or threatening to injure a household
370     animal that is owned or kept by the respondent; and
371          [(e)] (g) order any further relief that the court considers necessary to provide for the
372     safety and welfare of the petitioner and any designated family or household member.
373          (3) A court may grant the following relief in a dating violence protective order or a
374     modification of a dating violence protective order, after notice and a hearing, regardless of
375     whether the respondent appears:
376          (a) the relief described in Subsection (2); and
377          (b) except as provided in Subsection (5), upon finding that the respondent's use or
378     possession of a weapon poses a serious threat of harm to the petitioner or any designated family
379     or household member, prohibit the respondent from purchasing, using, or possessing a weapon
380     specified by the court.
381          (4) If the petitioner or a family or household member designated in the protective order
382     attends the same school as the respondent, or is employed at the same place of employment as
383     the respondent, the district court:
384          (a) may not enter an order under Subsection (2)(c)(ii) that excludes the respondent
385     from the respondent's school or place of employment; and
386          (b) may enter an order governing the respondent's conduct at the respondent's school or
387     place of employment.
388          (5) The court may not prohibit the respondent from possessing a firearm:
389          (a) if the respondent has not been given notice of the petition for a protective order and
390     an opportunity to be heard; and
391          (b) unless the petition establishes:
392          (i) by a preponderance of the evidence that the respondent has committed abuse or
393     dating violence against the petitioner; and

394          (ii) by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent's use or possession of a
395     firearm poses a serious threat of harm to petitioner or the designated family or household
396     member.
397          (6) After the court issues a dating violence protective order, the court shall:
398          (a) as soon as possible, deliver the order to the county sheriff for service of process;
399          (b) make reasonable efforts at the hearing to ensure that the dating violence protective
400     order is understood by the petitioner and the respondent, if present;
401          (c) transmit electronically, by the end of the business day after the day on which the
402     order is issued, a copy of the dating violence protective order to the local law enforcement
403     agency designated by the petitioner; and
404          (d) transmit a copy of the protective order issued under this part in the same manner as
405     described in Section 78B-7-113.
406          (7) (a) The county sheriff that receives the order from the court, under Subsection
407     (6)(a), shall:
408          (i) provide expedited service for protective orders issued in accordance with this part;
409     and
410          (ii) after the order has been served, transmit verification of service of process to the
411     statewide network described in Section 78B-7-113.
412          (b) This section does not prohibit another law enforcement agency from providing
413     service of process if that law enforcement agency:
414          (i) has contact with the respondent and service by that law enforcement agency is
415     possible; or
416          (ii) determines that, under the circumstances, providing service of process on the
417     respondent is in the best interests of the petitioner.
418          (8) When a protective order is served on a respondent in jail, or other holding facility,
419     the law enforcement agency managing the facility shall make a reasonable effort to provide
420     notice to the petitioner at the time the respondent is released from incarceration.
421          (9) A court may modify or vacate a protective order under this part after notice and

422     hearing, if the petitioner:
423          (a) is personally served with notice of the hearing, as provided in the Utah Rules of
424     Civil Procedure, and appears before the court to give specific consent to the modification or
425     vacation of the provisions of the protective order; or
426          (b) submits an affidavit agreeing to the modification or vacation of the provisions of
427     the protective order.
428          Section 5. Section 78B-7-603 is amended to read:
429          78B-7-603. Cohabitant abuse protective orders -- Ex parte cohabitant abuse
430     protective orders -- Modification of orders -- Service of process -- Duties of the court.
431          (1) If it appears from a petition for a protective order or a petition to modify a
432     protective order that domestic violence or abuse has occurred, that there is a substantial
433     likelihood domestic violence or abuse will occur, or that a modification of a protective order is
434     required, a court may:
435          (a) without notice, immediately issue an ex parte cohabitant abuse protective order or
436     modify a protective order ex parte as the court considers necessary to protect the petitioner and
437     all parties named to be protected in the petition; or
438          (b) upon notice, issue a protective order or modify an order after a hearing, regardless
439     of whether the respondent appears.
440          (2) A court may grant the following relief without notice in a protective order or a
441     modification issued ex parte:
442          (a) enjoin the respondent from threatening to commit domestic violence or abuse,
443     committing domestic violence or abuse, or harassing the petitioner or any designated family or
444     household member;
445          (b) prohibit the respondent from telephoning, contacting, or otherwise communicating
446     with the petitioner or any designated family or household member, directly or indirectly, with
447     the exception of any parent-time provisions in the ex parte order;
448          (c) subject to Subsection (2)(e), prohibit the respondent from being within a specified
449     distance of the petitioner;

450          (d) subject to Subsection (2)(e), order that the respondent is excluded from and is to
451     stay away from the following places and their premises:
452          (i) the petitioner's residence or any designated family or household member's residence;
453          (ii) the petitioner's school or any designated family or household member's school;
454          (iii) the petitioner's or any designated family or household member's place of
455     employment;
456          (iv) the petitioner's place of worship or any designated family or household member's
457     place of worship; or
458          (v) any specified place frequented by the petitioner or any designated family or
459     household member;
460          (e) if the petitioner or designated family or household member attends the same school
461     as the respondent, is employed at the same place of employment as the respondent, or attends
462     the same place of worship, the court:
463          (i) may not enter an order under Subsection (2)(c) or (d) that excludes the respondent
464     from the respondent's school, place of employment, or place of worship; and
465          (ii) may enter an order governing the respondent's conduct at the respondent's school,
466     place of employment, or place of worship;
467          (f) upon finding that the respondent's use or possession of a weapon may pose a serious
468     threat of harm to the petitioner, prohibit the respondent from purchasing, using, or possessing a
469     firearm or other weapon specified by the court;
470          (g) order possession and use of an automobile and other essential personal effects, and
471     direct the appropriate law enforcement officer to accompany the petitioner to the residence of
472     the parties to ensure that the petitioner is safely restored to possession of the residence,
473     automobile, and other essential personal effects, or to supervise the petitioner's or respondent's
474     removal of personal belongings;
475          (h) order the respondent to maintain an existing wireless telephone contract or account;
476          (i) grant to the petitioner or someone other than the respondent temporary custody of a
477     minor child of the parties;

478          (j) order the appointment of an attorney guardian ad litem under Sections 78A-2-703
479     and 78A-2-803;
480          (k) prohibit the respondent from physically injuring, threatening to injure, or taking
481     possession of a household animal that is owned or kept by the petitioner;
482          (l) prohibit the respondent from physically injuring or threatening to injure a household
483     animal that is owned or kept by the respondent;
484          [(k)] (m) order any further relief that the court considers necessary to provide for the
485     safety and welfare of the petitioner and any designated family or household member; and
486          [(l)] (n) if the petition requests child support or spousal support, at the hearing on the
487     petition order both parties to provide verification of current income, including year-to-date pay
488     stubs or employer statements of year-to-date or other period of earnings, as specified by the
489     court, and complete copies of tax returns from at least the most recent year.
490          (3) A court may grant the following relief in a cohabitant abuse protective order or a
491     modification of an order after notice and hearing, regardless of whether the respondent appears:
492          (a) grant the relief described in Subsection (2); and
493          (b) specify arrangements for parent-time of any minor child by the respondent and
494     require supervision of that parent-time by a third party or deny parent-time if necessary to
495     protect the safety of the petitioner or child.
496          (4) In addition to the relief granted under Subsection (3), the court may order the
497     transfer of a wireless telephone number in accordance with Section 78B-7-117.
498          (5) Following the cohabitant abuse protective order hearing, the court shall:
499          (a) as soon as possible, deliver the order to the county sheriff for service of process;
500          (b) make reasonable efforts to ensure that the cohabitant abuse protective order is
501     understood by the petitioner, and the respondent, if present;
502          (c) transmit electronically, by the end of the next business day after the order is issued,
503     a copy of the cohabitant abuse protective order to the local law enforcement agency or agencies
504     designated by the petitioner;
505          (d) transmit a copy of the order to the statewide domestic violence network described

506     in Section 78B-7-113; and
507          (e) if the individual is a respondent or defendant subject to a court order that meets the
508     qualifications outlined in 18 U.S.C. Sec. 922(g)(8), transmit within 48 hours, excluding
509     Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, a record of the order to the Bureau of Criminal
510     Identification that includes:
511          (i) an agency record identifier;
512          (ii) the individual's name, sex, race, and date of birth;
513          (iii) the issue date, conditions, and expiration date for the protective order; and
514          (iv) if available, the individual's social security number, government issued driver
515     license or identification number, alien registration number, government passport number, state
516     identification number, or FBI number.
517          (6) Each protective order shall include two separate portions, one for provisions, the
518     violation of which are criminal offenses, and one for provisions, the violation of which are civil
519     offenses, as follows:
520          (a) criminal offenses are those under Subsections (2)(a) through (g), and under
521     Subsection (3)(a) as it refers to Subsections (2)(a) through (g); and
522          (b) civil offenses are those under Subsections (2)(h) through (l), Subsection (3)(a) as it
523     refers to Subsections (2)(h) through (l), and Subsection (3)(b).
524          (7) Child support and spouse support orders issued as part of a protective order are
525     subject to mandatory income withholding under Title 62A, Chapter 11, Part 4, Income
526     Withholding in IV-D Cases, and Title 62A, Chapter 11, Part 5, Income Withholding in Non
527     IV-D Cases, except when the protective order is issued ex parte.
528          (8) (a) The county sheriff that receives the order from the court, under Subsection (5),
529     shall provide expedited service for protective orders issued in accordance with this part, and
530     shall transmit verification of service of process, when the order has been served, to the
531     statewide domestic violence network described in Section 78B-7-113.
532          (b) This section does not prohibit any law enforcement agency from providing service
533     of process if that law enforcement agency:

534          (i) has contact with the respondent and service by that law enforcement agency is
535     possible; or
536          (ii) determines that under the circumstances, providing service of process on the
537     respondent is in the best interests of the petitioner.
538          (9) (a) When an order is served on a respondent in a jail or other holding facility, the
539     law enforcement agency managing the facility shall make a reasonable effort to provide notice
540     to the petitioner at the time the respondent is released from incarceration.
541          (b) Notification of the petitioner shall consist of a good faith reasonable effort to
542     provide notification, including mailing a copy of the notification to the last-known address of
543     the victim.
544          (10) A court may modify or vacate a protective order or any provisions in the
545     protective order after notice and hearing, except that the criminal provisions of a cohabitant
546     abuse protective order may not be vacated within two years of issuance unless the petitioner:
547          (a) is personally served with notice of the hearing, as provided in the Utah Rules of
548     Civil Procedure, and the petitioner personally appears, in person or through court video
549     conferencing, before the court and gives specific consent to the vacation of the criminal
550     provisions of the cohabitant abuse protective order; or
551          (b) submits a verified affidavit, stating agreement to the vacation of the criminal
552     provisions of the cohabitant abuse protective order.
553          (11) A protective order may be modified without a showing of substantial and material
554     change in circumstances.
555          (12) A civil provision of a protective order described in Subsection (6) may be
556     dismissed or modified at any time in a divorce, parentage, custody, or guardianship proceeding
557     that is pending between the parties to the protective order action if:
558          (a) the parties stipulate in writing or on the record to dismiss or modify a civil
559     provision of the protective order; or
560          (b) the court in the divorce, parentage, custody, or guardianship proceeding finds good
561     cause to dismiss or modify the civil provision.

562