Family Law - Protective Orders - Surrender of Firearms

HB 1050 requires petitioners seeking domestic violence protective orders in Maryland to provide specific, detailed information about the respondent's firearms when filing their petition. This directly affects domestic violence victims and their legal representatives who must now include details like firearm make/model, location, access points (e.g., car, home), and the respondent’s habits regarding firearms. Key provisions mandate petitioners disclose the respondent’s firearm possession status, location of weapons, whether firearms are kept in a vehicle (including license plate), and related habits like hunting or shooting range visits. The bill amends existing family law statutes to integrate these requirements into the petition process, without changing when firearms must be surrendered. It aims to improve court awareness of firearm risks during domestic violence cases.