Relates to orders of protection in child abuse and neglect proceedings in family court

Stronger protection orders for families in abuse cases

In child abuse or neglect cases, the court can issue a protective order with any other order. It runs at the same time, ends when that order ends, and can be extended with it. The court can set reasonable behavior rules for a parent, a person legally responsible, or that person’s spouse. The court can also issue a standalone order against a nonparent household member or other person legally responsible. That order can last up to two years, or up to five years if the court finds special circumstances, like injury, use of a dangerous instrument, repeated violations, prior crimes, or exposure to sex offenses. It can be extended on its own or with other orders, but the total time cannot go past those limits from the first order.