Protective orders: firearms and ammunition.

Assembly Member Stefani's protective order legislation expands requirements for individuals subject to restraining orders to relinquish both firearms and ammunition, while establishing new procedures for remote court appearances. The bill requires courts to allow parties, support persons, and witnesses to participate remotely at no cost in hearings for workplace violence and postsecondary school restraining orders, with courts required to develop and post rules for remote appearances on their websites.

The legislation mandates that restrained persons surrender any ammunition, in addition to firearms, within 24 hours of being served with various types of protective orders, including those related to civil harassment, domestic violence, elder abuse, gun violence, and workplace or campus safety. Peace officers responding to domestic violence incidents or serving restraining orders must now take temporary custody of ammunition found in plain sight or during lawful searches, alongside existing requirements for firearm seizure.

To strengthen compliance monitoring, courts must review whether restrained persons have submitted required proof of relinquishment within 48 hours. If receipts are not filed, courts must immediately notify law enforcement about the protective order, weapons information, and non-compliance. The bill maintains existing provisions allowing courts to grant limited exemptions for peace officers and others who require firearms for employment, subject to psychological evaluation and strict conditions. Local agencies will be reimbursed by the state for costs associated with implementing these expanded requirements.