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AB-1657 • 2026

Domestic violence: restraining orders.

Domestic violence: restraining orders.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Rogers
Last action
2026-03-12
Official status
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide details on the impact of the new requirements on existing court procedures or how courts will handle situations where a victim chooses to give notice.

Domestic Violence: Restraining Orders

This law changes how courts handle restraining orders for people who are victims of domestic violence by prohibiting courts from requiring notice to be given to the abuser before filing an application.

What This Bill Does

  • It stops courts from requiring that a victim must give notice to their abuser before asking for a restraining order.
  • It says courts cannot ask for extra information if someone chooses not to notify their abuser about filing for a restraining order.
  • It tells courts they can't use rules, forms, or practices that go against these new requirements.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Victims of domestic violence who want to get restraining orders without giving notice to the person causing harm.
  • Courts that handle requests for restraining orders in cases of domestic violence.

Terms To Know

Ex parte
A legal process where a court makes a decision based on only one side's information, without hearing from the other side.
Restraining order
An official order that tells someone to stay away from or stop contacting another person.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if a victim wants to give notice but the court doesn't require it.
  • It's unclear how this will affect existing rules and practices in different courts.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-12 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  2. 2026-03-11 California Legislative Information

    Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.

  3. 2026-03-10 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (March 10).

  4. 2026-02-17 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on JUD.

  5. 2026-01-30 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 1.

  6. 2026-01-29 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1657, as amended, Rogers.
Domestic violence: restraining orders.
Existing law authorizes a court to issue an ex parte restraining order to prevent abuse based on reasonable proof of a past act or acts of abuse. Existing law authorizes the order to be issued solely on the affidavit or testimony of the person requesting the ex parte restraining order. Existing law requires the ex parte order to be issued or denied on the same day the application is submitted to the court, except as specified. Existing law prohibits an ex parte restraining order from being denied solely because the other party was not provided with notice.
This bill would instead prohibit a court from requiring that notice be provided to the party to be restrained in advance of filing an application for an ex parte restraining order.
The bill would also prohibit
a court from requiring an explanation or declaration to substantiate a party’s decision not to provide notice in advance of filing. The bill would prohibit a court from adopting or maintaining any rule, form, or practice that is inconsistent with these provisions.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
Download Bill PDF