AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURT .

Dedicated Superior Court domestic violence calendar

This law takes effect upon passage. The Superior Court now runs a separate calendar for domestic violence criminal cases. It covers felony domestic violence, felony no-contact or protective order violations, and felony weapon crimes tied to domestic violence. Judges may add other related cases from the same incident. These cases get scheduling priority, while protecting both sides’ rights. The presiding justice assigns judges and staff, may keep one judge for continuity, and can set rules. The domestic violence calendar has the same power to decide these cases as other Superior Court calendars and can coordinate with District and Family Courts.