This bill proposes the creation of Chapter 14-07.7 of the North Dakota Century Code, which focuses on civil protection orders and amends various existing sections related to restraining and protection orders. Key amendments include replacing "restraining orders" with "civil protection orders" in Section 11-15-32 and establishing a registry for these orders by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The bill introduces definitions for terms such as "civil protection order," "domestic violence," and "disorderly conduct," and outlines the process for filing petitions for civil protection orders, including provisions for minors and the prohibition of filing fees. It also emphasizes the enforcement of civil protection orders, allowing law enforcement to arrest individuals without a warrant for violations.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the state court administrator report to the secretary of state on individuals over eighteen whose names have changed due to divorce or court orders, and ensures that those with civil protection orders are marked as "secured active" in the central voter file. It revises the jurisdiction of municipal judges and small claims court referees to grant temporary protection orders under specific circumstances and consolidates existing sections related to protection orders into a new chapter. The bill aims to enhance the protection of individuals from domestic violence and sexual assault while streamlining legal processes, with an effective date set for January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 11-15-32, 12-60-23, 12.1-17-13, 14-05-23, 14-07.1-01, 14-07.1-02.1, 14-07.1-11, 14-07.1-14, 14-07.1-19, 14-07.6-01, 15.1-09-33.4, 16.1-02-07, 29-01-15, 29-06-15, 47-16-17.1