25 LC 48 1380
House Bill 453
By: Representatives Roberts of the 52
nd
, Panitch of the 51
st
, Campbell of the 35
th
, Berry of
the 56
th
, and Herring of the 145
th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 4 Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
1
relating to dangerous instrumentalities and practices, so as to enact the "Georgia Red Flag2
Protective Order Act"; to provide definitions; to provide for risk protection order hearings3
and issuance; to provide for temporary ex parte risk protection orders; to provide for service4
of notice; to provide for the termination and extension of orders; to provide for surrender and5
return of firearms, ammunition, and weapons carry licenses; to provide for the reporting of6
orders; to provide for penalties and liability; to provide for instructional and informational7
materials to be produced by the Administrative Office of the Courts; to provide for related8
matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.9
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:10
SECTION 1.11
Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to12
dangerous instrumentalities and practices, is amended by adding a new part to read as13
follows:14
H. B. 453
- 1 - 25 LC 48 1380
"Part 3A15
16-11-140.16
This part shall be known and may be cited as the 'Georgia Red Flag Protective Order Act.'17
16-11-141.18
As used in this part, the term:19
(1) 'Family or household member' means spouses, former spouses, persons related by20
blood or marriage, persons who are presently residing together or who have resided21
together in the past, and persons who are parents of a child in common regardless of22
whether they have been married. With the exception of persons who have a child in23
common, the family or household members must be currently residing or have in the past24
resided together in the same dwelling house.25
(2) 'Law enforcement agency' means any unit, organ, or department of this state, or a26
subdivision or municipality thereof, whose primary functions include the enforcement of27
criminal or traffic laws, the preservation of public order, the protection of life and28
property, or the prevention, detection, or investigation of crime.29
(3) 'Law enforcement officer' means any peace officer employed by a law enforcement30
agency.31
(4) 'Petitioner' means a family or household member or law enforcement officer who32
petitions a court for a risk protection order under this part.33
(5) 'Respondent' means the individual who is identified as the respondent in a petition34
filed under this part.35
(6) 'Risk protection order' means a temporary ex parte order or final order granted under36
this part.37
H. B. 453
- 2 - 25 LC 48 1380
16-11-142.38
(a) When a petition for a risk protection order is created, the order shall:39
(1) Identify the respondent by name and last known address;40
(2) Allege that the respondent poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to41
himself or herself or others by having a firearm or any ammunition in his or her custody42
or control or by purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm or any ammunition;43
(3) Be accompanied by an affidavit made under oath stating the specific statements,44
actions, or facts that give rise to a reasonable fear of significant dangerous acts by the45
respondent;46
(4) Identify the quantities, types, and locations of all firearms and ammunition the47
petitioner believes to be in the respondent's current ownership, possession, custody, or48
control; and49
(5) Identify whether there is a known existing protective order governing the respondent50
under Code Section 16-5-94 or 19-13-4 or under any other applicable law.51
(b) A petition for a risk protection order may be filed by a family or household member52
of a respondent or by a law enforcement officer. Such petition shall be filed in the superior53
court having jurisdiction over the geographical area of the petitioner's law enforcement54
agency or wherein the respondent resides. Such petition for a risk protection order does55
not require either party to be represented by an attorney.56
(c) The petitioner shall make a good faith effort to provide notice to a family or household57
member of the respondent and to any known third party who may be at risk of violence. 58
The notice shall state that the petitioner intends to petition the court for a risk protection59
order or has already done so and shall include referrals to appropriate resources, including,60
but not limited to, mental health, domestic violence, and counseling resources. The61
petitioner shall attest in the petition to having provided such notice or shall attest to the62
steps that will be taken to provide such notice.63
H. B. 453
- 3 - 25 LC 48 1380
(d) The petitioner shall list the address of record on the petition as the address of the64
appropriate law enforcement agency.65
(e) The court shall not charge fees for filing or for service of process to a petitioner66
seeking relief under this part and shall provide the necessary number of certified copies,67
forms, and instructional brochures free of charge.68
(f) A person shall not be required to post a bond to obtain relief in any proceeding under69
this part.70
(g) The superior courts of this state have jurisdiction over proceedings under this part.71
16-11-143.72
(a)(1) Upon receipt of a petition, the court shall order a hearing to be held no later than73
14 days after the date of the risk protection order and shall issue a notice of hearing to the74
respondent for the same.75
(2) The clerk of the court shall cause a copy of the petition and the notice of hearing to76
be forwarded on or before the next business day to the appropriate law enforcement77
agency for service upon the respondent as provided in Code Section 16-11-145.78
(3) The court may, as provided in Code Section 16-11-144, issue a temporary ex parte79
risk protection order pending the hearing ordered under this subsection. Such temporary80
ex parte order shall be served concurrently with the petition and the notice of hearing as81
provided in Code Section 16-11-145.82
(b) Upon notice and a hearing on the matter, if the court finds by clear and convincing83
evidence that the respondent poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to84
himself or herself or others by having in his or her custody or control, or by purchasing,85
possessing, or receiving, a firearm or any ammunition, the court shall issue a risk protection86
order for a period of time that it deems appropriate, but not exceeding 12 months.87
(c) In determining whether grounds for a risk protection order exist, the court may88
consider any relevant evidence, including, but not limited to, any of the following:89
H. B. 453
- 4 - 25 LC 48 1380
(1) A recent act or threat of violence by the respondent against himself or herself or90
others, whether or not such act or threat of violence involved a firearm;91
(2) An act or threat of violence by the respondent within the past 12 months, including,92
but not limited to, acts or threats of violence by the respondent against himself or herself93
or others;94
(3) Evidence of the respondent being seriously mentally ill or having recurring mental95
health issues;96
(4) A violation by the respondent of an order issued pursuant to Code Section 16-5-9497
or 19-13-4;98
(5) A previous or existing risk protection order issued against the respondent;99
(6) A violation of a previous or existing risk protection order issued against the100
respondent;101
(7) Whether the respondent, in this state or any other state, has been convicted of, had102
adjudication withheld on, or has pled nolo contendere to a crime that constitutes family103
violence as defined in Code Section 19-13-1;104
(8) Whether the respondent has used, or has threatened to use, any weapons against105
himself or herself or others;106
(9) The unlawful or reckless use, display, or brandishing of a firearm by the respondent;107
(10) The recurring use of, or threat to use, physical force by the respondent against108
another person or the respondent's stalking of another person;109
(11) Whether the respondent, in this state or any other state, has been arrested for, has110
been convicted of, had adjudication withheld on, or has pled nolo contendere to a crime111
involving an act or threat of violence;112
(12) Corroborated evidence of the abuse of controlled substances or alcohol by the113
respondent;114
(13) Evidence of recent acquisition of firearms or ammunition by the respondent;115
H. B. 453
- 5 - 25 LC 48 1380
(14) Any relevant information from family and household members concerning the116
respondent; or117
(15) Witness testimony, taken while the witness is under oath, relating to the matter118
before the court.119
(d) In a hearing under this part, the rules of evidence shall apply to the same extent as in120
a family violence proceeding under Code Section 19-13-3.121
(e) During a hearing under this part, the court shall consider whether a mental health122
evaluation or chemical dependency evaluation is appropriate and, if such determination is123
made, may order such evaluations, if appropriate.124
(f) A risk protection order shall include all of the following:125
(1) A statement of the grounds supporting the issuance of the order;126
(2) The date the order was issued;127
(3) The date the order ends;128
(4) Whether a mental health evaluation or chemical dependency evaluation of the129
respondent is required;130
(5) The address of the court in which any responsive pleading may be filed;131
(6) A description of the requirements for the surrender of all firearms and ammunition132
that the respondent owns; and133
(7) The following statement:134
'To the subject of this protection order: This order is valid until the date noted above. If135
you have not done so already, you shall surrender immediately to the (insert name of136
local law enforcement agency) all firearms and ammunition that you own in your137
custody, control, or possession and any weapons carry license or renewal license issued138
to you under Code Section 16-11-129 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. You139
may not have in your custody or control or purchase, possess, receive, or attempt to140
purchase or receive a firearm or ammunition while this order is in effect. You have the141
right to request one hearing to vacate this order, starting after the date of the issuance of142
H. B. 453
- 6 - 25 LC 48 1380
this order, and to request another hearing after every extension of the order, if any. You143
may seek the advice of an attorney as to any matter connected with this order.'144
(g) If the court issues a risk protection order, the court shall inform the respondent that he145
or she is entitled to request a hearing to vacate the order in the manner provided by Code146
Section 16-11-146 and the court shall provide the respondent with a form to request a147
hearing to vacate.148
(h) If the court denies the petitioner's request for a risk protection order, the court shall149
state the particular reasons for the denial.150
16-11-144.151
(a) A petitioner may request that a temporary ex parte risk protection order be issued152
before a hearing for a risk protection order, without notice to the respondent, by including153
in the petition detailed allegations based on personal knowledge that the respondent poses154
a significant danger of causing personal injury to himself or herself or others in the near155
future by having in his or her custody or control, or by purchasing, possessing, or receiving,156
a firearm or ammunition.157
(b) In considering whether to issue a temporary ex parte risk protection order under this158
part, the court shall consider all relevant evidence, including the evidence described in159
subsection (c) of Code Section 16-11-143.160
(c) After a request under subsection (a) of this Code section, if the court finds there is161
reasonable cause to believe that the respondent poses a significant danger of causing162
personal injury to himself or herself or others in the near future by having in his or her163
custody or control, or by purchasing, possessing, or receiving, a firearm or ammunition, the164
court shall issue a temporary ex parte risk protection order.165
(d) The court shall hold a hearing on the temporary ex parte risk protection order within166
two business days of the date the petition is filed.167
(e) A temporary ex parte risk protection order shall include all of the following:168
H. B. 453
- 7 - 25 LC 48 1380
(1) A statement of the grounds asserted for the order;169
(2) The date the order was issued;170
(3) The address of the court in which any responsive pleading may be filed;171
(4) The date and time of the scheduled hearing;172
(5) A description of the requirements for the surrender of all firearms and ammunition173
that the respondent owns or controls; and174
(6) The following statement:175
'To the subject of this protection order: This order is valid until the date noted above. 176
You are required to surrender all firearms and ammunition that you own in your custody,177
control, or possession. You may not have in your custody or control or purchase,178
possess, receive, or attempt to purchase or receive a firearm or ammunition while this179
order is in effect. You shall surrender immediately to the (insert name of local law180
enforcement agency) all firearms and ammunition in your custody, control, or possession181
and any weapons carry license or renewal license issued to you under Code Section182
16-11-129 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. A hearing will be held on the date183
and at the time noted above to determine if a risk protection order should be issued. 184
Failure to appear at that hearing may result in a court issuing an order against you which185
is valid for one year. You may seek the advice of an attorney as to any matter connected186
with this order.'187
(f) A temporary ex parte risk protection order ends upon the hearing on the risk protection188
order.189
(g) A temporary ex parte risk protection order shall be served by a law enforcement officer190
in the same manner as provided for in Code Section 16-11-145 for service of the petition191
and notice of hearing and shall be served concurrently with the petition and notice of192
hearing.193
(h) If the court denies the petitioner's request for a temporary ex parte risk protection order,194
the court shall state the particular reasons for the denial.195
H. B. 453
- 8 - 25 LC 48 1380
16-11-145.196
(a) The clerk of the court shall provide for personal service of the petition, notice of197
hearing, and temporary ex parte risk protection order or risk protection order, as applicable,198
upon the respondent. Service under this part shall take precedence over the service of other199
documents, unless such documents are of a similar emergency nature.200
(b) All orders issued, changed, continued, extended, or vacated after the original service201
of documents specified in subsection (a) of this Code section shall be certified by the clerk202
of the court and delivered to the parties at the time of the entry of the order. The parties203
may acknowledge receipt of such order in writing on the face of the original order. If a204
party fails or refuses to acknowledge receipt of a certified copy of an order, the clerk shall205
note on the original order that service was effected. If delivery at the hearing is not206
possible, the clerk shall mail certified copies of the order to the parties at the last known207
address of each party.208
16-11-146.209
(a)(1) The respondent may submit one written request for a hearing to vacate a risk210
protection order issued under this part, starting after the date of the issuance of the order,211
and may request another hearing after every extension of the order, if any.212
(2) Upon receipt of the request for a hearing to vacate a risk protection order, the court213
shall set a date for a hearing. Notice of the request shall be served on the petitioner in214
accordance with Code Section 16-11-145. The hearing shall occur no sooner than 14215
days and no later than 30 days after the date of service of the request upon the petitioner.216
(3) The respondent shall have the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence217
that the respondent does not pose a significant danger of causing personal injury to218
himself or herself or others by having in his or her custody or control or by purchasing,219
possessing, or receiving a firearm or ammunition. The court may consider any relevant220
H. B. 453
- 9 - 25 LC 48 1380
evidence, including evidence of the considerations as provided in subsection (c) of Code221
Section 16-11-143.222
(4) If the court finds after the hearing that the respondent has met his or her burden of223
proof, the court shall vacate the risk protection order.224
(5) The law enforcement agency holding any firearm, ammunition, or weapons carry225
license that has been surrendered pursuant to this part shall be notified of the court order226
to vacate the risk protection order.227
(b) The court shall notify the petitioner of the impending end of a risk protection order. 228
Notice shall be received by the petitioner at least 30 days before the date such order ends.229
(c)(1) The petitioner may, by motion, request an extension of a risk protection order at230
any time within 30 days before the end of the order.231
(2) Upon receipt of the motion to extend, the court shall order that a hearing be held no232
later than 14 days after the date the order for a hearing is issued and shall schedule such233
hearing. The respondent shall be personally served in the manner provided by Code234
Section 16-11-145.235
(3) In determining whether to extend a risk protection order issued under this part, the236
court may consider all relevant evidence, including evidence of the considerations as237
provided in subsection (c) of Code Section 16-11-143.238
(4) If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the requirements for issuance239
of a risk protection order as provided in Code Section 16-11-143 continue to be met, the240
court shall extend the order. However, if, after notice, the motion for extension is241
uncontested and no modification of the risk protection order is sought, the risk protection242
order may be extended on the basis of a motion or affidavit stating that there has been no243
material change in relevant circumstances since entry of the risk protection order and244
stating the reason for the requested extension.245
H. B. 453
- 10 - 25 LC 48 1380
(5) The court may extend a risk protection order for a period of time that it deems246
appropriate, but not exceeding 12 months, subject to an order to vacate as provided in247
subsection (a) of this Code section or to another extension order by the court.248
16-11-147.249
(a) Upon issuance of a risk protection order or temporary ex parte risk protection order250
under this part, the court shall order the respondent to surrender to the local law251
enforcement agency all firearms and ammunition owned by the respondent in the252
respondent's custody, control, or possession, except as provided in Code Section253
16-11-149, and any weapons carry license or renewal license issued under Code Section254
16-11-129 held by the respondent.255
(b) The law enforcement officer serving a risk protection order under this part, including256
a temporary ex parte risk protection order, shall request that the respondent immediately257
surrender all firearms and ammunition owned by the respondent in his or her custody,258
control, or possession and any weapons carry license or renewal license issued under Code259
Section 16-11-129 held by the respondent. The law enforcement officer shall take260
possession of such firearms, ammunition, and weapons carry license or renewal license so261
surrendered. If personal service by a law enforcement officer is not possible or is not262
required because the respondent was present at the risk protection order hearing, the263
respondent shall surrender any firearms and ammunition owned by the respondent, and any264
weapons carry license or renewal license issued under Code Section 16-11-129 held by the265
respondent, in a safe manner to the control of the local law enforcement agency266
immediately after being served with the order by service or immediately after the hearing267
at which the respondent was present. Notwithstanding Code Sections 17-5-20, 17-5-21,268
and 17-5-24, a law enforcement officer may seek a search warrant from a court of269
competent jurisdiction to conduct a search for firearms or ammunition owned by the270
respondent if the officer has probable cause to believe that there are firearms or271
H. B. 453
- 11 - 25 LC 48 1380
ammunition owned by the respondent in the respondent's custody, control, or possession272
which have not been surrendered.273
(c) At the time of surrender, a law enforcement officer taking possession of any firearm274
or ammunition owned by the respondent, or any weapons carry license or renewal license275
issued under Code Section 16-11-129 held by the respondent, shall issue a receipt276
identifying all firearms surrendered, the quantity and type of ammunition surrendered, and277
any license surrendered and shall provide a copy of the receipt to the respondent. Within278
72 hours after service of the order, the law enforcement officer serving the order shall file279
the original receipt with the court and shall ensure that his or her law enforcement agency280
retains a copy of the receipt.281
(d) Notwithstanding Code Sections 17-5-20 and 17-5-21, upon the sworn statement or282
testimony of any person alleging that the respondent has failed to comply with the283
surrender of firearms or ammunition owned by the respondent, as required by an order284
issued under this part, the court shall determine whether probable cause exists to believe285
that the respondent has failed to surrender all firearms or ammunition owned by the286
respondent in the respondent's custody, control, or possession. If the court finds that287
probable cause exists, the court shall issue a warrant describing the firearms or ammunition288
owned by the respondent and authorizing a search of the locations where such firearms or289
ammunition are reasonably believed to be found and the seizure of any firearms or290
ammunition owned by the respondent discovered pursuant to such search.291
(e) If a person other than the respondent claims title to any firearms or ammunition292
surrendered pursuant to this part and he or she is determined by the law enforcement293
agency to be the lawful owner of the firearm or ammunition, the firearm or ammunition294
shall be returned to him or her if:295
(1) The lawful owner agrees to store the firearm or ammunition in a manner such that the296
respondent does not have access to or control of the firearm or ammunition; and297
(2) The firearm or ammunition is not otherwise unlawfully possessed by the owner.298
H. B. 453
- 12 - 25 LC 48 1380
(f) Upon the issuance of a risk protection order, the court shall order a new hearing date299
and require the respondent to appear no later than three business days after the issuance of300
the order. The court shall require proof that the respondent has surrendered any firearms301
or ammunition owned by the respondent in the respondent's custody, control, or possession. 302
The court may cancel the hearing upon a satisfactory showing that the respondent is in303
compliance with the risk protection order.304
(g) All law enforcement agencies shall develop policies and procedures regarding the305
acceptance, storage, and return of firearms, ammunition, or licenses required to be306
surrendered under this part.307
16-11-148.308
(a) If a risk protection order is vacated or ends without extension, a law enforcement309
agency holding a firearm or any ammunition owned by the respondent, or a weapons carry310
license or renewal license issued under Code Section 16-11-129 held by the respondent,311
that has been surrendered or seized pursuant to this part shall return such surrendered or312
seized firearm, ammunition, or license as requested by a respondent only after confirming313
through a background check that the respondent is currently eligible to own or possess314
firearms and ammunition under federal and state law and after confirming with the court315
that the risk protection order has been vacated or has ended without extension.316
(b) A law enforcement agency shall provide notice to any family or household members317
of the respondent before the return of any surrendered or seized firearm, ammunition, or318
weapons carry license or renewal license to the respondent.319
(c) Any firearm or ammunition surrendered by or seized from a respondent pursuant to320
Code Section 16-11-147 which remains unclaimed by the lawful owner for one year after321
an order to vacate the risk protection order or after the risk protection order ends without322
extension shall be disposed of in accordance with Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 17.323
H. B. 453
- 13 - 25 LC 48 1380
16-11-149.324
A respondent may elect to transfer all firearms or ammunition owned by the respondent325
that have been surrendered to or seized by a local law enforcement agency pursuant to326
Code Section 16-11-147 to another person who is willing to receive the respondent's327
firearms or ammunition. The law enforcement agency shall allow such a transfer only if328
the chosen recipient:329
(1) Currently is eligible to own or possess a firearm or ammunition under federal and330
state law after confirmation through a background check;331
(2) Attests to storing the firearms or ammunition in a manner such that the respondent332
does not have access to or control of the firearms or ammunition until the risk protection333
order against the respondent is vacated or ends without extension; and334
(3) Attests not to transfer the firearms or ammunition back to the respondent until the335
risk protection order against the respondent is vacated or ends without extension.336
16-11-149.1.337
(a) Upon receipt of the copy of the risk protection order, the law enforcement agency shall338
enter the order into the records of the Georgia Crime Information Center and National339
Crime Information Center. The risk protection order shall remain in each system for the340
period stated in the order, and the law enforcement agency may only remove an order from341
the systems if it has been vacated or has ended without extension. Entry of the risk342
protection order into the records of the Georgia Crime Information Center and National343
Crime Information Center constitutes notice to all law enforcement agencies of the344
existence of the order which shall be fully enforceable in any county in this state.345
(b) The issuing court shall, within three business days after issuance of a risk protection346
order or temporary ex parte risk protection order, forward all available identifying347
information concerning the respondent, along with the date of issuance of the order, to the348
Georgia Crime Information Center. Upon receipt of such information, the Georgia Crime349
H. B. 453
- 14 - 25 LC 48 1380
Information Center shall determine if the respondent has a weapons carry license or350
firearm. If the respondent does have a weapons carry license or firearm, the Georgia Crime351
Information Center shall immediately suspend the license.352
(c) If a risk protection order is vacated before its end date, the clerk of the court shall, on353
the day of the order to vacate, forward a copy of the order to vacate to the Georgia Crime354
Information Center and the appropriate law enforcement agency specified in the order to355
vacate. Upon receipt of the order to vacate, the law enforcement agency shall promptly356
remove the risk protection order from any computer based system in which it was entered357
pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section.358
16-11-149.2.359
(a) A person who makes a false statement, which he or she does not believe to be true,360
under oath in a hearing under this part in regard to any material matter commits a361
misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature, punishable as provided in Code Section362
17-10-4.363
(b) A person who has in his or her custody or control a firearm or any ammunition or who364
purchases, possesses, or receives a firearm or any ammunition with knowledge that he or365
she is prohibited from doing so by a risk protection order or temporary ex parte risk366
protection order issued under this part commits a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated367
nature, punishable as provided in Code Section 17-10-4.368
16-11-149.3.369
This part shall not be construed to affect the ability of a law enforcement officer to conduct370
any search and seizure for firearms or ammunition pursuant to other lawful authority.371
H. B. 453
- 15 - 25 LC 48 1380
16-11-149.4.372
Except as provided in Code Section 16-11-148 or 16-11-149.2, this part shall not impose373
criminal or civil liability on any person or entity for acts or omissions related to obtaining374
a risk protection order or temporary ex parte risk protection order, including, but not375
limited to, providing notice to the respondent, a family or household member of the376
respondent, and any known third party who may be at risk of violence, or failing to provide377
such notice, or reporting, declining to report, investigating, declining to investigate, filing,378
or declining to file a petition under this part.379
16-11-149.5.380
(a)(1) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall develop and prepare instructions and381
informational brochures, standard petition and risk protection order forms, and a court382
staff handbook on the risk protection order process. The standard petition and order383
forms shall be used after January 1, 2025, for all petitions filed and risk protection orders384
issued pursuant to this part. The office shall determine the significant385
non-English-speaking or limited English-speaking populations in this state and prepare386
the instructions and informational brochures and standard petition and risk protection387
order forms in such languages. The instructions, brochures, forms, and handbook shall388
be prepared in consultation with interested persons, including representatives of gun389
violence prevention groups, judges, and law enforcement personnel. Materials shall be390
based on best practices and shall be available online to the public.391
(2) The instructions shall be designed to assist petitioners in completing the petition and392
shall include a sample of completed forms for a standard petition and risk protection393
order.394
(3) The instructions and standard petition shall include a means for the petitioner to395
identify, with only layman's knowledge, the firearms or ammunition the respondent may396
own, possess, receive, or have in his or her custody or control. The instructions shall397
H. B. 453
- 16 - 25 LC 48 1380
provide pictures of the types of firearms and ammunition that the petitioner may choose398
from to identify the relevant firearms or ammunition or shall provide an equivalent means399
to allow petitioners to identify firearms or ammunition without requiring specific or400
technical knowledge regarding the firearms or ammunition.401
(4) The informational brochure shall describe the use of and the process for obtaining,402
extending, and vacating a risk protection order under this part and shall provide relevant403
forms.404
(5) The risk protection order form shall include, in a conspicuous location, notice of405
criminal penalties resulting from violation of the order and the following statement: 'You406
have the sole responsibility to avoid or refrain from violating this order's provisions. 407
Only the court can change the order and only upon written request.'408
(6) The court staff handbook shall allow for the addition of a community resource list by409
the clerk of the court.410
(b) Any clerk of the court may create a community resource list of crisis intervention,411
mental health, substance abuse, interpreter, counseling, and other relevant resources412
serving the county in which the court is located. The court may make the community413
resource list available as part of or in addition to the informational brochures described in414
subsection (a) of this Code section.415
(c) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall distribute a master copy of the petition416
and risk protection order forms, instructions, and informational brochures to the clerks of417
court. Distribution of all documents shall, at a minimum, be in an electronic format or in418
formats accessible to all courts and clerks of court in this state.419
(d) Within 90 days after receipt of the master copy from the Administrative Office of the420
Courts, the court shall make available the standardized forms, instructions, and421
informational brochures required by this Code section.422
H. B. 453
- 17 - 25 LC 48 1380
(e) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall update the instructions, brochures,423
standard petition and risk protection order forms, and court staff handbook as necessary,424
including when changes in the law make an update necessary."425
SECTION 2.426
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.427
H. B. 453
- 18 -