This bill mandates that all petitions related to domestic violence and stalking filed on or after October 1, 2026, must be submitted electronically through the court's electronic filing system. The court has the discretion to excuse a party from this requirement if extraordinary circumstances exist that would make electronic filing a hardship, thereby denying access to the court. Additionally, the bill specifies that no filing fees or service fees will be charged for these petitions, and parties may proceed without legal counsel. The bill also aligns the procedures for stalking petitions with those established for domestic violence petitions, ensuring consistency in the legal process.

The implementation of this electronic filing system will require significant investment, with estimated costs ranging from $1.6 million to $3.2 million for the development of a secure portal, along with ongoing operational costs of $300,000 to $700,000 annually. The current e-filing system is inadequate for handling confidential protection orders, necessitating the creation of a new system that complies with legal requirements for confidentiality and security. However, the bill does not allocate funding for these expenses, which the Judicial Branch has indicated cannot be absorbed within its existing budget.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 173-B:3, 633:3-a
HB1715 text: 173-B:3, 633:3-a