Section 1 provides that an application for a restraining order may be filed in the county of residence of either party or in the county where the alleged harassment occurred.  Provides that there are no residency requirements for filing a petition.  The statute does not currently specify where a petition may be filed.

Section 2 expands the filing fee waiver for certain restraining order petitions.  Current law provides that the filing fee is waived if the petition alleges acts that would constitute criminal sexual conduct or a gross misdemeanor or felony-level stalking crime.  This section expands the list to include petitions alleging second or subsequent stalking violations or conduct constituting a pattern of stalking.  (The civil filing fee is $310, plus a law library fee.)

CT:rer