SB 1127 - This act modifies provisions relating to hearings for orders of protection to add that the service of a petition for an order of protection and notice of the date set for the hearing of such petition and any ex parte order of protection shall constitute legal notice of any orders issued by the court on the date of the hearing or any subsequent orders issued on the matter. If the respondent fails to appear to a full order of protection hearing after being properly served with an ex parte order, he or she shall be considered to have knowledge of any conditions set forth in the full order of protection. The respondent shall be subject to civil or criminal enforcement of the conditions of the order. Additionally, this act adds that the court may order a party to pay a reasonable amount for the other party's attorney fees incurred prior to the proceeding, throughout the proceeding, and after entry of judgment.
A court shall not compel a victim or member of the victim's family testifying in a domestic assault matter to disclose a residential address or place of employment on the record unless the court finds it is necessary. A person may testify by video conference at a criminal trial involving an offense of domestic assault if the person testifying is the victim of such offense.
Finally, if a judge orders a person who has been convicted of domestic assault to attend any domestic violence-related class, the person shall be financially responsible for any costs associated with attend such class.
This act is identical to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 775, 751, & 640 (2022), SCS/HB 2088, et al (2022), and HCS/HB 1699 (2022).
MARY GRACE PRINGLE