An Act To Provide A Court Authority To Issue Proximity Restrictions In Protection From Abuse Orders

LD 586 amends Maine law to allow courts issuing protection from abuse orders to include specific proximity restrictions. Starting January 1, 2026, judges can order defendants to avoid being within a set distance of the plaintiff or to stay away from particular locations like the plaintiff’s home or workplace. This directly affects individuals seeking protection from abuse (plaintiffs) and those subject to such orders (defendants) in Maine court cases. The bill adds this authority to existing protection order provisions without altering the application process.