Committee removes emergency relief option, allows up to 14 days for protective-order hearings

The Judiciary Committee voted to amend House Bill 497, removing a proposed emergency-relief provision and changing timing for temporary protective orders.

Delegate Simpson, who explained the amendment, said it "simply cuts off the part about the emergency, relief" and that the bill as amended moves the timeframe from seven to 14 days — not as a requirement but as an allowed maximum for holding the final hearing. The chair read the amendment language clarifying that a temporary protective order "shall be effective for no more than 14 days, and the final protective order hearing shall be held no longer than 14 days after the temporary protective order."

A committee member raised substantive objection tied to another bill discussed previously, saying that earlier legislation "allows for my firearms to be taken away from me without any recourse," and said they would vote no because of that concern. Committee members sought clarification on whether proposed additional financial relief had been removed; counsel and other members confirmed the amended bill increases the hearing window but removes the proposed additional relief.

Members also queried the practical effect on judges and scheduling: committee members and the chair confirmed the timing runs from the certificate of service and that judges retain discretion to schedule hearings earlier or later within the 14-day allowance depending on local caseloads.

On roll call the clerk recorded the tally as 13 yes, 5 no, 0 abstain, 0 absent, 1 other; the amendment and the bill as amended passed out of committee. The bill now moves on for further consideration.