{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-4-505.1","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Family Law § 4–505.1","heading":"","body":"(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.\n(2) “Child advocacy center” means a center established under § 11–928 of the Criminal Procedure Article.\n(3) “File electronically” means to send, communicate, receive, or store by electronic means.\n(4) “Hospital” has the meaning stated in § 19–301 of the Health – General Article.\n(5) “Vulnerable adult program” means:\n(i) a program implemented under § 14–201 of this article; or\n(ii) any program that receives federal or State funding to prevent abuse of or assist vulnerable adults.\n(b) A petitioner may file electronically a petition for a temporary protective order with a court from:\n(1) a domestic violence prevention or assistance program;\n(2) a sexual assault prevention or assistance program;\n(3) a human trafficking prevention or assistance program;\n(4) a child advocacy center;\n(5) a vulnerable adult program;\n(6) a hospital where the petitioner is receiving medical treatment, while the petitioner is at the hospital; or\n(7) another location approved by the court.\n(c) The hospital shall refer the petitioner filing a petition on the grounds of:\n(1) domestic violence:\n(i) to a hospital–based domestic violence prevention or assistance program; or\n(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\n(2) sexual assault to a community–based sexual assault prevention or assistance program.\n(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:\n(1) the same business day if the petition is filed during regular court hours and the court is open; or\n(2) the next business day the court is open if the petition is not filed during regular court hours.","path":["Article - Family Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gfl\u0026section=4-505.1","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:17Z","sha256":"da30731d9b92fef36eba1810ced91512bc8f2cee87a0966091d540443e7c9bfb","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-4-505","next":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-4-506"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}