Domestic violence: protective orders.

Existing law provides for the issuance and enforcement of protective orders in cases involving domestic violence. Existing law provides for a Uniform Interstate Enforcement of Domestic Violence Protection Orders Act, which authorizes the enforcement of a valid foreign protection order in a tribunal of this state under certain conditions. Existing law establishes a Domestic Violence Restraining Order System for purposes of registering protection orders, as specified, which is administered by the Department of Justice. This bill would enact the Uniform Recognition and Enforcement of Canadian Domestic Violence Protection Orders Act, which would authorize the enforcement of a valid Canadian domestic violence protection order in a tribunal of this state under certain conditions. The bill would prescribe the criteria for a determination of the validity of a protection order under these provisions, as specified, and would authorize the registration of such a protection order in the Domestic Violence Restraining Order System. The bill would require a law enforcement officer of this state to enforce a protection order under these provisions upon determining that there is probable cause to believe that a valid protection order exists and has been violated. By imposing new duties on law enforcement agencies, this bill would create a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.