KRS 456.040: Review of petition for interpersonal protective order -- Temporary

interpersonal protective order.

(1) (a) The court shall review a petition for an interpersonal protective order

immediately upon its filing. If the review indicates that dat ing violence and

abuse, stalking, or sexual assault exists, the court shall summons the parties to

an evidentiary hearing not more than fourteen (14) days in the future. If the

review indicates that such a basis does not exist, the court may consider an

amended petition or dismiss the petition without prejudice.

(b) Service of the summons and hearing order under this subsection shall be made

upon the adverse party personally and may be made in the manner and by the

persons authorized to serve subpoenas unde r Rule 45.03 of the Rules of Civil

Procedure. A summons may be reissued if service has not been made on the

adverse party by the fixed court date and time.

(2) (a) If the review under this section also indicates the presence of an immediate

and present dan ger of dating violence and abuse, sexual assault, or stalking,

the court shall, upon the filing of the petition, issue ex parte a temporary

interpersonal protective order that:

1. Authorizes relief appropriate to the situation utilizing the alternatives se t

out in KRS 456.060;

2. Sets forth which communications, if any, as requested by the petitioner,

are authorized and which communications are unauthorized;

3. Expires upon the conclusion of the evidentiary hearing required by this

section unless extended o r withdrawn by subsequent order of the court;

and

4. Does not order or refer the parties to mediation unless requested by the

petitioner, and the court finds that:

a. The petitioner's request is voluntary and not the result of coercion;

and

b. Mediation is a realistic and viable alternative to or adjunct to the

issuance of an order sought by the petitioner.

Nothing in this paragraph shall be interpreted to place any restriction or

restraint on the petitioner.

(b) If an order is not issued under this subsec tion, the court shall note on the

petition, for the record, any action taken or denied and the reason for it.