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Bill would let courts extend protective orders through a respondent’s probation period
Summary
HB 13-66 would allow courts, upon written request by the petitioner or the state, to extend a final protective order to match the respondent's probation when the probation relates to the petitioner; proponents said the change closes enforcement gaps, while the judiciary raised concerns about potentially indefinite orders.
Sponsor testimony presented HB 13-66 to ensure final protective orders can be aligned with a respondent’s criminal probation where the probation relates to the petitioner.
The sponsor said final protective orders often expire after one year while criminal probation can last longer, leaving victims without immediate enforceable protection during ongoing court supervision. The proposed amendment would allow the court, upon written request by the petitioner or the state, to extend the protective order through the respondent’s probation period when that probation is for an offense committed against the petitioner.
Laura Wilt, senior attorney at the Maryland Scribe Victims Resource Center, supported the bill and explained why protective orders are enforceable in the moment while probation conditions are "only enforceable after the fact in the courtroom," meaning a victim may be exposed if a protective order expires before probation ends.
Members noted the judiciary filed an unfavorable report and asked whether the bill could produce indefinite or disproportionate extensions; sponsors said the authority would be discretionary, not mandatory, and is intended to give victims an available tool, not to automatically extend orders in every case.
The committee heard questions and testimony and closed the item without a vote during this session.
