What’s New on WomensLaw.org
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January 2022
Based on an Email Hotline inquiry, we added “unlawful imprisonment” to our Michigan Crimes page in English and Spanish and to our Selected Michigan Statutes page in English.
We translated into Spanish the 8 revised questions in our VAWA Housing Protections page.
We translated into Spanish the updated information on our California Workplace Protections section.
We translated into Spanish the newly added information to three questions in our Indiana Orders for Protection page, related to when a minor is involved in the process.
In Connecticut, we translated into Spanish the revisions to the following questions:
In Georgia, we translated into Spanish the following:
- After I get an order, what steps will law enforcement take to help ensure my safety? in the Family Violence Protective Orders section; and the
- Dating Violence Protective Orders section.
In Arizona, we translated into Spanish the recently revised questions:
- What is the legal definition of harassment? in our Injunctions Against Harassment section; and
- What is the legal definition of domestic violence in Arizona? in our Domestic Violence Orders of Protection section.
We also translated into Spanish the new question Can I file an injunction against a minor? in our Injunctions Against Harassment section.
In our Ohio Domestic Violence / Dating Violence Protection order page, we added a list of the sexually oriented offenses to What is the legal definition of domestic violence in Ohio? and hyperlinked each crime to its statutory definition. Changes made in English and Spanish.
In our Stalking/Cyberstalking page, we added a new question in English and Spanish called How can I document incidents of stalking and cyberstalking?
December 2021
On our North Carolina Download Court Forms page, we added links to the following court forms in English and Spanish: “motion to modify custody” and “small claims court complaint for money owed.”
In our North Carolina Custody section, we added a new question entitled Can a grandparent get visitation rights? in English and Spanish.
Based on newly-enacted laws, we added information about child support lasting until age 26 for a child who is developmentally disabled and lives with the parent seeking support to What is child support? Who can file? in our New York Child Support section in English and Spanish. We also added two related statutes to our Selected New York Statutes page.
In addition, based on updates to the law, in our New York Orders of Protection section, we added the fact that an order of protection can prohibit the abuser from remotely controlling any connected devices affecting the victim’s home, vehicle, or property to What protections can I get in an order of protection?
Based on 2021 changes to the law, we did the following:
- In our Montana Custody section:
- Updated How can I change a final custody order? What effect could a criminal conviction have? to explain that a judge must look at how a proposed change will affect the child and must consider the potential impact of the change on the best interest factors.
- Added information to Can a parent who committed violence get custody or visitation? about how if a custody order is already in place, and the other parent or anyone living with that parent gets convicted of certain violent crimes, you can file an “objection” to the parenting plan to change it.
- Created a new question called If a parent wants to relocate with the child, what factors will a judge consider? to explain the new factors in the law that a judge must consider. We also created a new question called What steps do I have to take if I want to relocate with my child? and added a related statute to our Selected Montana Statutes page.
- In our Montana Restraining Order section:
- We added information to Who can file for an order of protection? to explain that if an adult has a guardian, conservator, or agent appointed by the court due to being incapacitated or protected, s/he can file on the adult victim’s behalf.
- In our Montana State Gun Laws section:
- Added information in English and Spanish to If the abuser has been convicted of a crime, can s/he keep or buy a gun? and I am a victim of domestic violence and the abuser has a gun. Is that legal? about how a conviction for a felony that requires registration with the sexual or violent offender registry prohibits the person from having a firearm. In the same questions, we also better explained how a felony for which someone receives an additional sentence for use of a dangerous weapon disqualifies them by adding the related statute to our Selected Montana Statutes page and hyperlinking to the statute.
Based on 2021 changes to the law regarding who can get a concealed handgun permit, we updated the following questions in our Virginia State Gun Laws pages in English and Spanish:
The changes to the law said: 1) a person cannot get a concealed handgun permit for three years following a conviction for assault and battery of a family or household member for an offense that occurred on or after July 1, 2021 and 2) a person who is enrolled into the Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearms List cannot get such a permit.
We also added information to I am the child’s grandparent. Can I get visitation? in our Virginia Custody section about the fact that a grandparent who wants visitation can show the judge proof of the parent’s consent to the grandchild having visitation with the grandparent if the parent is deceased or incapacitated.
We reworked the Mississippi Custody section, reviewing the existing five questions and adding 10 new questions. We also added 13 statutes to our Selected Mississippi Statutes where users can find the information included in these new questions. Among other questions, we added:
In our Pennsylvania Download Court Forms page, we added a link to divorce forms and updated the link to Bucks County’s protection from abuse order forms in English and Spanish.
We reworked the Michigan Custody section, reviewing the existing four questions and adding 15 new questions. We also added nine statutes to our Selected Michigan Statutes where users can find the information included in these new questions. Among other questions, we added:
We created a New Jersey Child Support section. We also added three new statutes to our Selected New Jersey Statutes where users can find the information included in these new questions:
- How will the judge calculate child support?
- If I have joint custody, is either parent responsible for child support?
- How long will child support last?
- What can I do if the other parent is not paying the ordered child support?
We created a New Mexico Child Support section. We also added three new statutes to our Selected New Mexico Statutes where users can find the information included in these new questions:
- Who can get child support?
- How will the judge calculate child support?
- If I have joint custody, will either parent have to pay child support?
- How long does child support last?
- What can I do if the other parent is not paying the court-ordered child support?
We created a new Arkansas Child Support section. We also added five statutes to our Selected Arkansas Statutes where users can find the information included in these new questions:
- Who can file for child support?
- Where can I file for child support?
- How will the judge calculate child support?
- If my circumstances have changed, can my child support order be changed?
- How long will child support last?
- What can I do if the other parent is not paying the ordered child support?
We reviewed and reorganized 17 questions in the New Jersey Custody section to make it easier for users to find the information they need. We also rewrote four questions and created another four questions for this section:
We reviewed 21 questions in the New Mexico Custody section to make it easier for users to find the information they need. We also added five statutes to our Selected New Mexico Statutes where users can find the information included in these new questions:
- What is binding arbitration?
- If my child was conceived from rape, can the offender’s parental rights be terminated?
- What are the steps for filing for custody?
- Should I start a court case to ask to participate in the Safe Exchange & Supervised Visitation program?
- Can I get financial support for my children?
- What can I do if the other parent took the kids out of state without my permission?
On our Wyoming Crimes page, we updated the links to the state’s Victim Services Division and the Crime Victims Compensation information.
We revised the question If a PR&R order is already in place, how can I get it changed? to add more information about appeals and motions for consideration in our Vermont Custody section.
We added the question What are the usual steps when filing for custody? to expand our New Hampshire Custody section.
In our Wyoming Custody section, we updated the question If a custody order is already in place, how can I get it changed? and added the new question What are the usual steps when filing for custody?.
We updated 11 questions and added the following three new questions in our U.S. Virgin Islands Custody section:
- What are the usual steps when filing for custody?
- If my child was conceived by rape, can the offender get custody?
- Under what circumstances can an abuser’s parental rights be terminated?
We also added a six new statutes related to termination of parental rights and child abuse to our Selected U.S. Virgin Islands Statutes page and the crimes of child abuse, child neglect, and aggravated child abuse and neglect to our U.S. Virgin Islands Crimes page.
We created a new section in our Texas Housing Laws page called Early Lease Termination for Victims of Sexual Assault, Sexual Abuse, or Stalking with three new questions. (Previously, our Housing Laws page only had this information as it relates to domestic violence.) Additions were made in English; Spanish soon to come.
In our Alabama Custody section, we created the questions Can a judge terminate the abuser’s parental rights if the abuser is convicted of a sex crime? and Aside from a conviction for a sex crime, are there other circumstances when parental rights can be terminated?, and we updated the question What are the steps for filing for custody?.
We expanded our Guam Custody section with the following 12 questions:
- What is custody? What types of custody are there?
- Who is considered to have custody if there is no custody order?
- What are some pros and cons of filing for custody?
- Should I start a court case to ask for supervised visitation?
- What are the usual steps when filling for custody?
- Who can file for custody?
- How will a judge make a decision about custody?
- Can a parent who committed violence get custody or visitation?
- Can grandparents or other non-parents get visitation rights?
- What protections can a judge include in a custody order when there is family violence?
- If a custody order is already in place, how can I get it changed?
- Where can I find more information on custody in Guam?
Due to 2021 changes to the law, we did the following in English and Spanish in our Texas Restraining Orders section:
- In our Family Violence Protective Orders section, we:
- updated Step 5: The hearing for a permanent protective order to include that proof of service must be filed before a default judgement can be issued;
- added information about separating out a victim’s cell phone number and their child’s from the abuser’s cell phone plan in What protections can I get in a protective order?
- In our Protective Orders for Victims of Sexual Assault, Sexual Abuse, Indecent Assault, Stalking, or Trafficking section, we:
- changed the name of “continuous abuse of a young child or children” to “continuous abuse of a young child or disabled individual”;
- updated the definition of sexual assault in What is the definition of sexual assault? to include when the perpetrator is a caregiver hired to assist the victim with activities of daily life, a coach, or a tutor and causes the victim to submit or participate by using his/her power or influence to exploit the victim’s dependency on the perpetrator;
- in What types of protective orders are available? How long do they last?, added the fact that a criminal conviction for any of the acts that could qualify someone for an order is enough of a reason for the judge to grant the victim the order;
- in How do I cancel the protective order once it is issued?, added the fact that any person who filed for the order can file to rescind it except that a parent or guardian cannot file an application to rescind the protective order if s/he is the respondent on the protective order;
We also added two new statutes regarding separating a wireless phone plan and regarding solicitation of prostitution to our Selected Texas Statutes page.
We added a statute related to small claims court, known as justice court, to our Selected Mississippi Statutes page.
Based on a change that took effect 1/1/21, we changed the small claims court limit to $6,500 on our Michigan Suing an Abuser for Money page in English and Spanish. We also added the related statute to our Selected Michigan Statutes page.
We updated our New Mexico Lawyer Referral Service page in English and Spanish.
In our Florida Injunctions for Protection Against Domestic Violence page, we added a question called If the abuser lives in a different state, can I still get an order against him/her? in English and Spanish.
We added a statute related to the termination of parental rights to our Selected Alabama Statutes page, and the crime of incest to our Alabama Crimes page and our Selected Alabama Statutes.
In our Oklahoma Custody section, we did the following:
- Created a new question called If my child was conceived from rape, can the offender’s rights be terminated?
- Added information about being able to file a termination petition based on a conviction for rape and other specific crimes to Can an abusive parent get visitation or custody? What if s/he is a sex offender or an addict? All changes made in English; Spanish soon to come.
We also did the following in English and Spanish.:
- Added the crimes of “rape by instrumentation,” “forcible sodomy,” and “violation of a child custody order” to the Oklahoma Crimes page in English and Spanish.
- Based on 2021 changes to the law, we updated Am I eligible to file for a protective order? in our Oklahoma Restraining Orders section to clarify that a family or household member now includes anyone related by blood or marriage even if they are not living in the same household.
- In our Oklahoma Child Support section, we revised How is the amount of child support decided? to clarify that if someone is receiving TANF and the government initiates a child support proceeding, the recipient will have to cooperate in the process.
- Updated our Oklahoma Suing an Abuser for Money page to change the limit from $7,500 to $10,000. This was changed in the law in 2017. We regret the error in not updating this sooner.
Lastly, we added two custody-related statutes and one small-claims court statute to our Selected Oklahoma Statutes page.
We re-wrote our Utah Download Court Forms page, adding links to forms for a cohabitant abuse protective order, a dating violence protective order, a child protective order, a sexual violence protective order, a civil stalking injunction, a small claims court case, as well as other types of cases. We also created three new questions in our Utah Restraining Orders section:
- Can a dating violence protective order be extended?
- Can a sexual violence protective order be extended?
- How much does it cost to get a stalking injunction?
All changes made in English with Spanish soon to come (except for the stalking injunction question, which is already in Spanish)!
Based on 2021 changes to Utah law, we did the following in English and Spanish:
- Updated Can a judge change or end my alimony order? in our Utah Divorce section to reflect the new standard of proving a “substantial material change in circumstances” that were not specifically addressed in the divorce decree nor in the judge’s “findings” (determinations) that were entered into the court record at the time of the divorce decree.
- Added the newly-enacted crimes of “unlawful distribution of a counterfeit intimate image” and “online impersonation” to our Utah Crimes page and our Selected Utah Statutes.
- Changed four questions in our Utah Restraining Orders section to reflect the change of the length of temporary orders from 20 to 21 days.
- Updated What types of protective orders are there? How long do they last? to explain that the“civil provisions” in a cohabitant abuse protective order could expire within 150 days unless the judge believes there is “good cause” to extend the expiration date of the civil provisions.
- Added information to Can I modify the order? and Can the order be dismissed? about being able to modify the civil provisions of a cohabitant abuse protective order in a divorce, parentage, custody, or guardianship proceeding that is pending between the parties under certain circumstances.
Lastly, based on a change that became effective July 2020, we updated What types of sexual violence protective orders are there? How long do they last? in English and Spanish to reflect that final orders last three years, not one year. We regret the delay in making this update.
We created a new question in our Tennessee Workplace Restraining Orders section called What do I have to prove to get a final injunction? What protections will it include? We also revised What do I have to prove to qualify for a temporary restraining order? What protections will it include? (and updated the title) to include the specific protections that the judge can order in a TRO.
In our Maryland Divorce section, we updated links to outside resources in English and Spanish in Where can I find additional information about divorce laws in Maryland?
We updated our Workplace Restraining Orders (Filed by Employers) page to include links to the new Georgia and Tennessee workplace violence restraining orders pages. We also clarified which states have a separate workplace violence restraining order and which states allow employers to file for the same type of order that victims use, adding Maryland to the latter category based on 2021 changes that now allow employers to file for a peace order. Changes made in English and Spanish.
We added 29 statutes related to custody and child support to the Selected Guam Statutes page.
In our Tennessee Workplace Violence Restraining Orders section, we revised Who is protected under this law? to clarify that a victim cannot file on their own behalf, only the employer can file for them.
Based on 2021 changes to the law, we added information to What acts of abuse would qualify me for a peace order? in our Maryland Peace Orders section to explain that an employer can file for a peace order if an act of abuse happened to their employee at the employee’s workplace. Changes made in English and Spanish.
November 2021
In our Florida Injunctions for Protection Against Domestic Violence section, we re-wrote What is the legal definition of domestic violence in Florida? to hyperlink each crime to its statutory definition and to clarify that the crime of stalking also includes harassment and cyberstalking. Changes made in English and Spanish.
In our Delaware Custody section, we re-wrote Can a parent who committed violence get sole or joint custody? to better explain the ”rebuttable presumption” against awarding custody or primary residence to a perpetrator of domestic violence. We also defined “perpetrator of domestic violence” according to its legal definition and listed (and hyperlinked) the crimes for which a person must be convicted to be considered a perpetrator. We also created a new question called During a custody proceeding, if a parent wants to relocate with the child, what factors will the judge consider? based on a new law that became effective in September 2021 and the related statute to the Selected Delaware Statutes page.
In addition, we added the crimes of “child abuse” in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degrees as well as “reckless burning or exploding” to our Delaware Crimes page and our Selected Delaware Statutes page.
Based on 2021 changes to the law, we updated three questions in our Delaware State Gun Laws section to reflect the fact that someone with any family abuse protection order against them cannot have a gun, not just someone with a final order against them. Also, we included the new firearm prohibition for someone who is the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant, post-arrest charges, or an active indictment or information for any felony or for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
Based on a change to the law that took effect in November 2020, we added the new crime of ”sexual abuse by a school employee” to What is the legal definition of a sexual assault offense? in our Nebraska Sexual Assault Protection Orders page. We also clarified the different degrees of the other crimes that make up a “sexual assault offense” and hyperlinked each crime to the statutory definition. Lastly, we added three related crimes to our Selected Nebraska Statutes page.
Based on 2021 changes to the law, we did the following:
- Changed the small claims court limit from $8,000 to $10,000 in our Indiana Suing an Abuser for Money page in English and Spanish.
- Added information to three questions in our Indiana Orders for Protection page about the fact that if an order for protection may affect a school’s ability to provide in-person instruction to the petitioner, the school must be notified and has three business days to respond and then a school representative can testify at the order for protection hearing before the judge can issue an order. Changes made in English; Spanish soon to come.
We rearranged our Puerto Rico Custody section to better organize the information included in that section. We also added the questions:
- What happens when joint custody is issued but one parent refuses to work together with the other parent?
- What are some pros and cons of starting a custody case?
All changes were made in English and Spanish.
We created a new section in our Connecticut Restraining Orders page called Civil Protection Orders (for Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, or Stalking). In it, we created the following three questions: Who qualifies for a civil protection order? What types of civil protection orders are available? How long do they last? What protections can I get in a civil protection order? Additions made in English; Spanish coming soon!
We updated seven statutes in the Selected Puerto Rico Statutes page. We also updated six links throughout the Puerto Rico Know the Laws sections and added four new links to the Download Court Forms page. These can link victims/survivors to forms needed to file for a protection order for sexual assault or stalking.
We rewrote our Connecticut Download Court Forms page to link to the English and Spanish versions of the petition and affidavit for a relief from abuse order and a civil protection order. Changes made in English and Spanish.
Based on 2021 changes to the law, we did the following:
- Updated our Connecticut Relief from Abuse Orders section to do the following in English (Spanish coming soon):
- Add coercive control as a reason that a protection order can be granted in What is the legal definition of domestic violence in Connecticut?
- Added information to Step 4: Full court hearing about the right to attend a hearing virtually with two days’ written notice to the court.
- Updated our Connecticut Custody section as follows:
- Added the fact that judges will consider the child’s emotional and physical safety to the law to How will a judge make a decision about custody? in English and Spanish.
- Created a new question called What can I do if the other party files multiple pleadings or motions against me as a way to harass me? based on a new law effective 10/1/21.
Lastly, we added two related statutes to our Selected Connecticut Statutes section.
We updated two resources in our Pennsylvania Local Programs page.
We turned our summary of South Dakota Vulnerable Adult Protection Orders into an expanded section with the following 7 questions:
Based on recent changes in the law, we added the following in our Puerto Rico Crimes page and the corresponding statutes on our Selected Puerto Rico Statutes:
- Human trafficking for the purpose of involuntary servitude, slavery and other types of exploitation
- Human trafficking for sexual purposes
- Revenge porn
We also reviewed the information on the Crimes page and updated the link for victims of crime looking for help. All changes in English and Spanish.
Based on the recent approval of Puerto Rico Law 21-2021 against Revenge Porn, we added the publication of intimate pictures as one of the reasons to seek damages when Suing an Abuser. We also reviewed and updated one of the links to the new Judicial Power website. All changes in English and Spanish.
We translated into Spanish our recent editions to the California Gun Violence Restraining Orders page.
Based on a 2021 addition to the law, we added information about the exceptions for when carrying a handgun or firearm is not illegal to What is the penalty for violating state firearm laws? in our Tennessee State Gun Laws section. We also added information about the penalties for carrying a firearm when someone has been convicted of stalking or driving under the influence or has been committed to a mental institution. Changes made in English and Spanish.
We created a new question in our Tennessee Custody section called If my child was conceived from rape, can the offender get custody or visitation rights? We also added the related statute to our Selected Tennessee Statutes page. In addition, based on 2021 changes to the law, we edited How will a judge make a decision about custody? to explain that a judge cannot consider a parent’s disability when deciding custody unless it impacts the parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs.
Based on a new law that became effective in 2021 creating lifetime orders of protection that last until death of one of the parties, we revised What types of protection orders are there? How long do they last? and How much does it cost? Do I need a lawyer? in our Tennessee Protection Orders for Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking section. We also added a link to the lifetime protection order to our Tennessee Download Court Forms page.
Also, based on 2021 changes to the law in our Tennessee Orders of Protection for Elderly or Vulnerable Adults page, we updated What is the legal definition of sexual exploitation? to account for the fact that sexual exploitation now also includes an act that was committed for the purpose of dissemination to others, knowing it would offend or embarrass a reasonable person. Also, one of the acts was changed from “fondling” to “sexual contact” as defined by the law. We also updated What is the legal definition of financial exploitation? to account for the fact that the law now recognizes that financial exploitation can be committed by a caregiver’s accomplice, not just the caregiver. And we added the expanded definition of “physical harm” to What is the legal definition of abuse and aggravated abuse?
We added two related statutes to our Selected Tennessee Statutes page
We updated our Idaho Download Court Forms page to add the new link from the Idaho Court Assistance Office to a guided program for filling out protection order forms.
Based on a new laws that took effect in 2021, we did the following in English (Spanish soon to come) :
- Created a new question in our Georgia Family Violence Protective Orders section called After I get an order, what steps will law enforcement take to help ensure my safety? based on the law that lets a petitioner request police “security checks.” We also added the related statute to our Selected Georgia Statutes page.
- Created a section called Georgia Dating Violence Protective Orders that summarizes the creation of this new order and links users to the five related statutes that we added to our Selected Georgia Statutes page. We invite users to check back in 2022 to see the full Q & A section that we will soon create.
Based on 2021 changes to the law, we updated all five questions in our Georgia Housing Laws section in English and Spanish to include the fact that victims of stalking are also now protected by the law.
October 2021
On our Florida Download Court Forms page, we updated the links to petitions for injunctions against domestic violence, repeat violence, dating violence, and stalking. We also added a new link to the petition for an injunction based on sexual violence. Changes made in English and Spanish.
Based on an Email Hotline inquiry, we created a question called Can I file an injunction against a minor? in our Arizona Injunctions Against Harassment section in English. (Spanish coming soon.)
Based on 2021 additions to the law, we did the following:
- Revised What is the legal definition of harassment? in our Arizona Injunctions Against Harassment section to include the additional definition of harassment as being “any contact” if the respondent committed one of the many listed crimes against the petitioner. Changes made in English; Spanish soon to come. We also added a related statute to our Selected Arizona Statutes section.
- On our Arizona Crimes page, changed the title for the crime of “Use of telephone to terrify, intimate, threaten, harass, annoy, or offend” to “Use of an electronic communication to terrify, intimidate, threaten or harass.” Changes made in English and Spanish.
- In our Arizona Domestic Violence Orders of Protection section, revised What protections can I get in an order of protection? to remove the requirement (in English and Spanish) that if a victim is granted use of the home in an emergency order, s/he needs to notify the court if s/he moves out of the home. The requirement still remains in place when this relief is granted in a final order.
Lastly, in our Arizona Domestic Violence Orders of Protection section, we hyperlinked 29 crimes in English (and 29 crimes in Spanish) to their statutory definitions to more accurately explain the definition of domestic violence for the purpose of getting a protection order in What is the legal definition of domestic violence in Arizona?
Based on a 2021 change to the law, we added the fact that a Canadian order of protection can be enforced in Minnesota to Can I get my protection order enforced in Minnesota? What are the requirements? in our Minnesota Restraining Orders section.
We updated our Wisconsin Download Court Forms by linking the English side to the actual petitions instead of to the court’s directory of forms. And, on the Spanish side, we linked to the Spanish petitions instead of English forms.
Based on 2021 new laws, we created a new question called Is there anything I can do if my abusive partner continually files court proceedings against me? in our Washington Custody and Divorce sections in English and Spanish. We also added six new related statutes to our Selected Washington Statutes page.
We added a reference to Washington State’s new abusive 2021 litigation laws, as well as Tennessee’s laws, on our Litigation Abuse page in English and Spanish.
We translated into Spanish our recently reviewed U Visa for Crime Victims section.
Based on 2021 changes to the laws, we did the following:
- Updated What types of alimony are there? in our Maine Divorce page to add economic abuse as one of the exceptional circumstances under which a judge can issue reimbursement support.
- Updated If the child was conceived from a sexual assault, can the offender’s rights be terminated? to add the different standards under which the judge must terminate the offender’s rights (if there is a criminal conviction) and may terminate the rights (no conviction).
We also revised Can my alimony be changed? to add “substantial change of financial circumstances” as a requirement for modifying an order, which was a 2019 change to the law but inadvertently left out of that question. We also edited How do I register my protection order in Maine? Do I have to register it to get it enforced? to clarify that a foreign order can be filed in superior court, not just in district court, and we added the related statute to our Selected Maine Statutes page.
Based on 2021 updates to the laws, we revised our Rhode Island Suing an Abuser for Money page to increase the limit for lawsuits from $2,500 to $5,000. In addition, in Am I eligible? Do I file in family court or district court? in our Rhode Island Domestic Violence Restraining Orders page, we added the new category of persons who can file for a restraining order in family court (adult plaintiffs with minor children). We also updated four links to resources on our Rhode Island Custody page.
We created a new question in our West Virginia Financial Exploitation Protective Orders page called In which county should the protective order be filed? and updated What are the steps to getting a financial exploitation protective order? to include the fact that it can be filed in the circuit court, not only the magistrate court. We also added information about the fact that anyone can file a petition on behalf of the victim to Who is eligible for a financial exploitation protective order? Who can file the paperwork?
Based on an Email Hotline inquiry, we added the crime of criminal violation of a protective order to our Connecticut Crimes page in English and Spanish and to our Selected Colorado Statutes page in English. We also revised What can I do if the abuser violates the order? in English and Spanish in our Connecticut Restraining Orders section to reference the crime and to link to it.
Based on an Email Hotline inquiry, we added the crime of extortion to our Colorado Crimes page in English and Spanish and to our Selected Colorado Statutes page in English.
We translated into Spanish our Wisconsin Divorce information.
September 2021
On our Louisiana Places that Help page, we updated 34 resources as follows: 5 Statewide Programs, 14 Local Programs, and 15 Legal Assistance. We also added 17 new organizations as follows: 10 to our Local Programs page and 7 to our Legal Assistance page. All changes were made in English and, for the first time, all resources were translated into Spanish!
We translated into Spanish our Wisconsin Custody page.
We created a new question in the Wisconsin Restraining Orders section called What types of domestic abuse restraining orders are there? How long do they last? In addition, based on a 2021 addition to the law, we added information to three questions to explain that petitioners who are 60 or older have the right to attend hearings via phone or an internet service, such as Zoom. All changes made in English and Spanish.
We translated into Spanish the Wisconsin information on Individual at Risk Restraining Order, Moving to Another State with a Restraining Order and Enforcing an Out-of-State Order in Wisconsin.
On our California Local Programs page, we updated the listing for the Laura’s House.
In our Illinois Housing Laws section, we revised Who is protected by these housing laws? by hyperlinking all of the crimes that could qualify someone for protection to their legal definitions on our Selected Illinois Statutes page. Changes were made in English and Spanish.
Based on changes to the law that allow for parties to stipulate to custody modifications based on a future event, we created a question called Can a custody order provide for future changes without having to go back to court? in the Wisconsin Custody section in English and Spanish. We also added the related custody statute to our Selected Wisconsin Statutes page. In addition, we completely re-wrote How do I change an existing order? in our Wisconsin Custody section in English and Spanish to distinguish the what types of modifications can be sought in the two-year period after the order was issued, beyond the two-year period, and at any time.
We translated into Spanish our Wisconsin Harassment Restraining Orders page.
On our Kentucky Custody page, we added two questions called Who can file for custody? and Will a judge always grant joint custody? In our Kentucky Restraining Orders page, based on changes to the law, we updated What is the legal definition of domestic violence in Kentucky? and What is the legal definition of dating violence and abuse, sexual assault, and stalking? and Am I eligible for an interpersonal protective order? to include criminal attempt, conspiracy, facilitation, or solicitation to commit certain crimes as grounds for getting an order.
We translated into Spanish our Wisconsin Child Abuse Restraining Orders page.
We translated into Spanish our Wisconsin Court Forms page.
We added 2 new resources to our International section on the National Organizations page. These listings by the NAASCA provide resources available in Central and South America for victims of different kinds of violence.
We added the crimes of assault, aggravated assault, and intimidation to the Tennessee Crimes page.
We translated into Spanish our Wisconsin Child Support page.
We translated into Spanish 2 new questions in our general Custody section, entitled I am moving and I want to transfer my case to the new state where my child and I will live. How can I do that? and Will I have to give notice to the other parent if I want to relocate?
We added the crime of aggravated battery to the Illinois Crimes page in English and Spanish and to the Selected Illinois Statutes page in English.
Based on 2021 changes to Missouri laws, we updated 6 questions in our Missouri Restraining Orders section to include information on the new length of initial and renewed orders, new rules for modifying an order, the factors that a judge considers when deciding if the abuser poses a serious risk to the petitioner’s own mental or physical health or that of their child, the fact that pets can now be protected by an order, and abuse of a pet can be a reason to grant an order.
We translated into Spanish our changes in the Oregon Sexual Abuse Protection Orders page.
We translated into Spanish our recent changes to the Florida Injunction for Protections Against Domestic Violence section, based on changes to the law.
We translated into Spanish our recent edits to the Colorado Protection Orders for Stalking, Sexual Assault, Physical Harm/Threats, and Abuse of Elderly/At-Risk Adult page.
We translated into Spanish our recent edits to the California Domestic Violence Restraining Orders page, based on changes to the law.
We added 11 statutes related to immigration and VAWA housing protections to our Selected Federal Statutes page.
Based on 2021 changes to law, we updated Who can get custody? in our Missouri Custody section to explain that if custody is going to be given to a non-parent, the first preference is someone who is related by blood (consanguinity) or marriage (affinity) to the child. In our Missouri Restraining Orders section, we updated What is the legal definition of domestic violence in Missouri? and What is the definition of stalking in Missouri? to include the new examples of stalking included in the law and to specify that it could be done with a device or other technology.
Based on 2021 changes to the law, we updated two questions on our North Dakota State Gun Laws page to reflect the fact that a concealed weapons permit will be denied based on a conviction for an offense involving alcohol within the past three years, which previously was ten years. We also added links in the same two questions to the lneghty list of felonies that would disqualify a person from possessing a firearm.
We updated our North Dakota Download Court Forms page, adding links to the domestic violence protective order petition, sexual assault restraining order petition, custody and visitation (parenting time) forms, divorce, and many other topics. We also added the definition for the crime of sexual assault to our North Dakota Crimes page.
We added a Georgia Workplace Restraining Orders page with eight new questions regarding workplace restraining orders, as well as adding one related statute to our Georgia Selected State Statutes page. The new section is in English, Spanish is coming soon!
We added a Tennessee Workplace Restraining Orders page with eight new questions regarding workplace restraining orders, as well as adding 11 related statutes to our Tennessee Selected State Statutes page.
With the help of DV LEAP, we completely re-wrote two sections in our Preparing for Court - By Yourself page. We doubled our File an Appeal section, with 19 newly-revised questions. We also created a new question in our At the Hearing section called What steps do I need to take during the trial to set myself up for possibly being able to appeal if I lose? We also added appeals-related information to What do I keep in mind when going to court? and Why would I want to object to evidence? All additions made in English; Spanish soon to come.
On our Missouri Local Programs page, we updated the listing for the Crime Victim Center of St. Louis.
With the help of ASISTA, we re-wrote all 28 questions in our U Visa for Crime Victims section! The information is currently in English with Spanish soon to come.
With the help of ASISTA, we edited the information about how domestic violence victims may possibly qualify in Who qualifies for asylum? Will being a victim of domestic or sexual violence qualify me? Changes made in English and Spanish.
We added the a new program to our Wyoming Local Programs page called the Converse Hope Center.
We added the a new program to our Florida Local Programs page called the Women’s Center of Jacksonville in English. Spanish coming soon!
With help from the National Housing Law Project, we revised 8 questions in our VAWA Housing Protections page. Among the changes we made are clarifying that the laws apply not only to victims of domestic violence but also dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault. We also added more examples and better explained terms in the law such as “family breakup.” Changes made in English. Spanish translation of the whole section, soon to come.
We created a new section with six questions on Emotional and Psychological abuse where we discuss what this term refers to as well as signs and forms of this type abuse, the effects it can have on a victim and alternatives for victims and survivors of this behavior. Spanish coming soon!
We added the a new program to our New York Local Programs page called Community Connections “First Step to New Beginnings” Program in English. Spanish coming soon!
With the help of the Animal Welfare Institute, we updated the pet-related links on our Helping Others - Advocates page, deleting outdated manuals and adding a link to Animal Welfare Institute’s state manuals regarding pets and protection orders. We also added a link to amanual for advocates from Don’t Forget the Pets. All changes made in English and Spanish.
We translated into Spanish our updated Tennessee State Gun Laws section.
We translated into Spanish our recently updated Nebraska State Gun Laws section
August 2021
We added five courthouses to our Louisiana Courthouse Locations page and updated information for an additional 52 courthouses.
On our Minnesota Local Programs page, we updated 21 local programs and added 2 new programs. All changes were made in English and, for the first time, all resources were translated into Spanish!
We updated 22 questions on our D.C. Civil Protection Orders page and added 2 new questions. We also created a new section called D.C. Anti-Stalking Orders based on statutory changes with 10 new questions. We added 26 statutes to our Selected District of Columbia Statutes page, including 6 sexual abuse crimes, 2 human trafficking offenses, 2 cruelty to animals offenses, and others. We also updated our D.C. Crimes page to include 9 additional crimes that an abuser may commit. These changes and additions were made in English, with Spanish coming soon.
On our Tennessee Places that Help page, we added 1 organization to our Local Programs page: Anderson County Family Justice Center.
We created a new section called VAWA Housing Protections with 8 questions to explain how VAWA protects federally-subsidized tenants from being denied housing or from being evicted because they are the victim of domestic violence. Spanish coming soon!
We added the crimes of “obscenity” and “voyeurism” to the Louisiana Crimes page and to the Selected Louisiana Statutes page.
Based on changes and additions to the law, we created a new Louisana Housing Laws page and added 21 questions regarding protections for domestic abuse and sexual assault victims looking to end a residential lease.
We translated into Spanish our Wyoming Gun Laws section.
We translated into Spanish our New Hampshire Gun Laws section.
In our Sexual Assault / Rape section, we updated the data statistics in What is sexual assault? How common is it? and What is rape? in English. Spanish soon to come.
We translated into Spanish out Vermont Gun Laws section.
With the help of the Legal Resource Center for Violence Against Women, we:
- updated 7 questions on our Parental Kidnapping page, adding information about topics such as the Prevent Abduction program, which would create a “travel alert” to prevent the child from boarding a flight;
- updated 7 questions in our Custody section; and
- created 2 new questions entitled I am moving and I want to transfer my case to the new state where my child and I will live. How can I do that? and Will I have to give notice to the other parent if I want to relocate?
All updates were made in English and Spanish for the 14 updated questions. For the two new questions, the Spanish translation is coming soon!
Based on changes to the laws, we updated all eight questions in our Nevada Orders for Protection Against High-Risk Behavior section to include:
- the changing of the name of ex parte orders to emergency orders;
- the removal of the seven-day length of time for emergency orders;
- the change in time for when respondents have to prove surrender of their firearm from 72 hours to one business day; and
- the change in the language that prohibits respondents from having a firearm in their “custody or control” to having it in their “control.”
We also added information about who can file to dissolve and order and the factors a judge will consider to Can I renew or cancel an order for protection against high-risk behavior? All changes were made in English and Spanish.
We added the crime of “concealment of whereabouts of a child” to the Pennsylvania Crimes page and English and Spanish and to the Selected Pennsylvania Statutes page.
We updated our Nevada Download Court Forms page to add links to the printable forms and to the interactive forms for orders for protection against sexual assault, high-risk behavior, stalking or harassment, and harassment in the workplace. Changes made in English and Spanish.
We translated into Spanish our recently updated and reorganized Minnesota State Gun Laws section.
Based on updates to the law, in our Nevada Restraining Orders page, we added information to Step 1: File an application in court about being able to not include your address and contact information if doing so would put you in danger. Changes were made in English and Spanish.
On our Hawaii Crimes page, we added the crime of “abuse of family or household members” with a notation that it includes the non-physical act of coercive control. We also added a link to the Department of Public Safety’s Restitution and Victim Services office and updated the link to the Crime Victim Compensation Commission.
We translated into Spanish our four questions addressing Stimulus Payments to our Frequently Asked Questions About Courts and Covid-19 section.
We translated into Spanish our Safety When an Abuser Gets Out of Jail section, within our Safety Tips page.
Based on updates to the law, we made the following changes: In our Hawaii Workplace Protections page, we revised the list of documents that an employer can request in What documentation do I have to give my employer if I want to take time off? In our Hawaii Restraining Orders page, we added coercive control as a ground for getting an order of protection to What is the legal definition of domestic abuse in Hawaii? and we added information about the respondent being able to request that the petition be shielded from the public when a temporary restraining order is denied in I was not granted an order for protection. What are my options? We also added information about the judge being able to issue or extend an order that relates to a minor until after the minor turns 18 to What types of orders for protection are there? How long do they last? and How do I change or extend my order for protection? We added the same information to our Injunctions Against Harassment section in What kinds of injunctions against harassment are there? How long do they last?
July 2021
On our Minnesota Local Programs page, we updated 17 local programs and added 27 new programs. All changes were made in English and, for the first time, all resources were translated into Spanish!
We translated our Alaska State Gun Laws page into Spanish.
We translated into Spanish our newly re-organized and revised West Virginia State Gun Laws section.
We translated into Spanish our recently updated and reorganized Utah Gun Laws section.
We translated into Spanish our recently updated and reorganized Maine Gun Laws section
We translated into Spanish the legal information we have on the Crimes, Custody, Divorce and Suing an Abuser for Money pages in Utah.
Starting on the translation of our 27th state, we translated the Wisconsin Domestic Abuse Injunctions page into Spanish!
We translated our recently-revised VAWA Battered Spouse or Child Waiver section (14 questions) into Spanish.
We updated our Florida Statewide Programs page to reflect the new website for the Florida Domestic Violence Statewide Hotline.
We updated in English and Spanish the Restraining Order Cases During COVID-19 section and the Virtual Hearings During COVID-19 section to remove outdated information now that the pandemic is improving.