Courts may now order a person under a domestic violence protection order to share their home, work or vehicle details with the protected person in certain cases, and judges must order electronic monitoring (where available) and no contact with the victim when releasing someone charged with a felony domestic violence offense that caused physical harm.
Official title: domestic violence; release conditions
- September 12, 2026
What changes
BeforeThe list of things a court may order in a protection order did not include making the defendant share identifying information.
NowFollowing a hearing, a court may require the defendant to give the plaintiff identifying information, such as the defendant's residence, place of employment or vehicle information, if it is shown that the defendant has a prior history of harming the plaintiff and there is reasonable cause to believe physical harm would otherwise result without this information.
BeforeJudges had to order electronic monitoring (where available) and no contact with the victim for people released before trial on certain felony charges listed by statute reference.
NowThose same 2 conditions must also be ordered for anyone released on their own recognizance or on bail who is charged with a felony domestic violence offense that results in physical harm to another person.
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NowAfter a hearing on a protection order has been held, the superior court in a family law case (a Title 25 action) may change the protection order only as it applies to a child the 2 parties share who is named on the order. The change may be made only if it is in the child's best interest and must be limited to carrying out parenting time orders between the defendant and that child.
BeforeIf a person given exclusive use of the shared home moved out of the "house," they had to notify the court within 5 days.
NowThe wording now says "residence" instead of "house"; the 5-day notice rule stays the same. Other wording is reworded with no change in meaning.
Who it affects
- People who ask for or are protected by domestic violence orders of protection
- People who are under domestic violence orders of protection
- People charged with a felony domestic violence offense that resulted in physical harm
- Parents with a shared child named on a protection order who have a family law case
- Judges and courts handling protection orders and pretrial release
What you need to do
Nothing, unless a court orders it. A defendant ordered to share identifying information, or released under electronic monitoring and no-contact conditions, must follow those court orders.
What the law doesn't answer
- What happens if a defendant does not provide the required identifying information
- Whether the plaintiff may share or use the identifying information in any limited way
- Who pays for electronic monitoring
- What "where available" means for electronic monitoring
- Whether the changes apply to protection orders or criminal cases already in progress
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.