Eligibility For Order Of Protection

(1) A person may file a petition for an order of protection if: (a) the petitioner is in reasonable apprehension of bodily injury by the petitioner's partner or family member as defined in 45-5-206; or (b) the petitioner is a victim of one of the following offenses committed by a partner or family member: (i) assault as defined in 45-5-201; (ii) aggravated assault as defined in 45-5-202; (iii) intimidation as defined in 45-5-203; (iv) partner or family member assault as defined in 45-5-206; (v) criminal endangerment as defined in 45-5-207; (vi) negligent endangerment as defined in 45-5-208; (vii) assault on a minor as defined in 45-5-212; (viii) assault with a weapon as defined in 45-5-213; (ix) strangulation of a partner or family member as defined in 45-5-215; (x) unlawful restraint as defined in 45-5-301; (xi) kidnapping as defined in 45-5-302; (xii) aggravated kidnapping as defined in 45-5-303; or (xiii) arson as defined in 45-6-103. (2) The following individuals are eligible to file a petition for an order of protection against the offender regardless of the individual's relationship to the offender: (a) a victim of assault as defined in 45-5-201, aggravated assault as defined in 45-5-202, assault on a minor as defined in 45-5-212, stalking as defined in 45-5-220, incest as defined in 45-5-507, sexual assault as defined in 45-5-502, sexual intercourse without consent as defined in 45-5-503, sexual abuse of children as defined in 45-5-625, or human trafficking as defined in 45-5-701; or (b) a partner or family member of a victim of deliberate homicide as defined in 45-5-102 or mitigated deliberate homicide as defined in 45-5-103. (3) A parent, guardian ad litem, or other representative of the petitioner may file a petition for an order of protection on behalf of a minor petitioner against the petitioner's abuser. At its discretion, a court may appoint a guardian ad litem for a minor petitioner. (4) The following persons may file a petition for an order of protection on behalf of an adult: (a) a guardian appointed pursuant to Title 72, chapter 5, part 3, on behalf of an incapacitated person; (b) a conservator appointed pursuant to Title 72, chapter 5, part 4, on behalf of a protected person; or (c) an agent on behalf of an incapacitated principal. For the purposes of this subsection (4)(c), "incapacitated" has the same meaning as "incapacitated person" provided in 72-5-101. (5) A guardian must be appointed for a minor respondent when required by Rule 17(c), Montana Rules of Civil Procedure, or by 25-31-602. An order of protection is effective against a respondent regardless of the respondent's age. (6) A petitioner is eligible for an order of protection whether or not: (a) the petitioner reports the abuse to law enforcement; (b) charges are filed; or (c) the petitioner participates in a criminal prosecution. (7) If a petitioner is otherwise entitled to an order of protection, the length of time between the abusive incident and the petitioner's application for an order of protection is irrelevant.