1. (a)

   1. (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
   2. (2) “Child advocacy center” means a center established under § 11-928 of the Criminal Procedure Article.
   3. (3) “File electronically” means to send, communicate, receive, or store by electronic means.
   4. (4) “Hospital” has the meaning stated in § 19-301 of the Health--General Article.

   5. (5) “Vulnerable adult program” means:

      1. (i) a program implemented under § 14-201 of this article; or
      2. (ii) any program that receives federal or State funding to prevent abuse of or assist vulnerable adults.

2. (b) A petitioner may file electronically a petition for a temporary protective order with a court from:

   1. (1) a domestic violence prevention or assistance program;
   2. (2) a sexual assault prevention or assistance program;
   3. (3) a human trafficking prevention or assistance program;
   4. (4) a child advocacy center;
   5. (5) a vulnerable adult program;
   6. (6) a hospital where the petitioner is receiving medical treatment, while the petitioner is at the hospital; or
   7. (7) another location approved by the court.

3. (c) The hospital shall refer the petitioner filing a petition on the grounds of:

   1. (1) domestic violence:

      1. (i) to a hospital-based domestic violence prevention or assistance program; or
      2. (ii) if there is not a hospital-based domestic violence prevention or assistance program, to a community-based domestic violence prevention or assistance program; and
   2. (2) sexual assault to a community-based sexual assault prevention or assistance program.

4. (d) A court that receives a petition filed electronically in accordance with this section shall hold a hearing on the petition through the use of video conferencing on:

   1. (1) the same business day if the petition is filed during regular court hours and the court is open; or
   2. (2) the next business day the court is open if the petition is not filed during regular court hours.

Added by Acts 2022, c. 334, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022; Acts 2022, c. 335, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022.