§ 4-505-1

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) 'Child advocacy center' means a center established under § 11–928 of the Criminal Procedure Article. (3) 'File electronically' means to send, communicate, receive, or store by electronic means. (4) 'Hospital' has the meaning stated in § 19–301 of the Health – General Article. (5) 'Vulnerable adult program' means: (i) a program implemented under § 14–201 of this article; or (ii) any program that receives federal or State funding to prevent abuse of or assist vulnerable adults. (b) A petitioner may file electronically a petition for a temporary protective order with a court from: (1) a domestic violence prevention or assistance program; (2) a sexual assault prevention or assistance program; (3) a human trafficking prevention or assistance program; (4) a child advocacy center; (5) a vulnerable adult program; (6) a hospital where the petitioner is receiving medical treatment, while the petitioner is at the hospital; or (7) another location approved by the court. (c) The hospital shall refer the petitioner filing a petition on the grounds of: (1) domestic violence: (i) to a hospital–based domestic violence

pital; or (7) another location approved by the court. (c) The hospital shall refer the petitioner filing a petition on the grounds of: (1) domestic violence: (i) to a hospital–based domestic violence prevention or assistance program; or (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 (2) sexual assault to a community–based sexual assault prevention or assistance program. (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: (1) the same business day if the petition is filed during regular court hours and the court is open; or (2) the next business day the court is open if the petition is not filed during regular court hours.