Protective orders: Wyland’s Law.

Assembly Member Stefani's protective order notification legislation would establish an automated system enabling individuals under court protection to access real-time information about their cases through the California Restraining and Protective Order System. The Department of Justice would be authorized, contingent upon legislative funding, to create or contract for a system providing protected persons with automated updates on whether their order has been received by the department, served on the restrained person, and whether the restrained person has attempted to purchase firearms or ammunition while the order remains active.

The measure, known as Wyland's Law, also addresses public access to protective order records. Records showing whether courts have transmitted orders to the Department of Justice as required would be open to public inspection and copying. The department's documentation confirming receipt of protective orders would likewise be accessible through California Public Records Act requests, which the bill specifies reflects current law rather than creating new disclosure requirements.

The provisions build upon existing county procedures for electronically transmitting protective order contents to the Department of Justice through the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System. While the bill authorizes creation of the automated notification system, implementation would occur only after the Legislature appropriates necessary funding. The measure defines protective orders to include all types listed in current law, along with any subsequent modifications, extensions or terminations of those orders.