HB1613

House Bill 1613 proposes significant updates to the Domestic Abuse Act of 1991 in Arkansas to strengthen protections for victims. It expands the definition of 'domestic abuse' to include 'course of control'—patterns of behavior that isolate or control an individual—and explicitly defines 'disturbing the peace' as a form of abuse. The bill streamlines the petition process for orders of protection, allowing for remote court appearances and expedited hearings under specific circumstances. It mandates the inclusion of resources and support information for victims, while protecting the privacy of victims by restricting the disclosure of their addresses in court filings. Additionally, the legislation authorizes the creation of a domestic violence intervention program to assist in addressing abusive behaviors. The bill also clarifies the administrative duties of circuit clerks and sheriff's offices regarding the processing and management of protective orders.