Bill > LD586

This bill modifies Maine's Protection from Abuse (PFA) Orders by adding a new provision that allows courts to issue proximity restrictions in protective orders. Specifically, the bill enables judges to direct a defendant to stay a specified distance away from the plaintiff or prohibit the defendant from being present at a specific location. This means that in cases of domestic abuse or harassment, a court can now explicitly mandate a physical distance between the abuser and the victim, which can help enhance the safety and protection of the plaintiff. The new legal provision will become effective on January 1, 2026, giving courts and legal systems time to prepare for implementing this expanded authority in protection orders. The bill amends Title 19-A of the Maine Revised Statutes Annotated (MRSA), Section 4110, which governs protection from abuse orders, by adding a new paragraph that grants courts this specific proximity restriction power.