§ 78B-7-113. Statewide domestic violence network -- Peace officers' duties -- Prevention of abuse in absence of order -- Limitation of liability.

(1)

(a) Law enforcement units, the Department of Public Safety, and the Administrative Office of the Courts shall utilize statewide procedures to ensure that peace officers at the scene of an alleged violation of a protective order or pretrial criminal no contact order have immediate access to information necessary to verify the existence and terms of that order, and other orders of the court required to be made available on the network by the provisions of this chapter, Title 77, Chapter 36, Cohabitant Abuse Procedures Act, or Section 77-38-3. Those officers shall use every reasonable means to enforce the court's order, in accordance with the requirements and procedures of this chapter, Title 77, Chapter 36, Cohabitant Abuse Procedures Act, and Section 77-38-3.

(b) The Administrative Office of the Courts, in cooperation with the Department of Public Safety and the Criminal Investigations and Technical Services Division, established in Section 53-10-103, shall provide for a single, statewide network containing:

(i) all orders for protection issued by a court of this state; and

(ii) all other court orders or reports of court action that are required to be available on the network under this chapter, Title 77, Chapter 36, Cohabitant Abuse Procedures Act, and Section 77-38-3.

(c) The entities described in Subsection (1)(b) may utilize the same mechanism as the statewide warrant system, described in Section 53-10-208.

(d) All orders and reports required to be available on the network shall be available within 24 hours after court action. If the court that issued the order is not part of the state court computer system, the orders and reports shall be available on the network within 72 hours.

(e) The information contained in the network shall be available to a court, law enforcement officer, or agency upon request.

(2) When any peace officer has reason to believe a cohabitant or child of a cohabitant is being abused, or that there is a substantial likelihood of immediate danger of abuse, although no protective order has been issued, that officer shall use all reasonable means to prevent the abuse, including:

(a) remaining on the scene as long as it reasonably appears there would otherwise be danger of abuse;

(b) making arrangements for the victim to obtain emergency medical treatment;

(c) making arrangements for the victim to obtain emergency housing or shelter care;

(d) explaining to the victim his or her rights in these matters;

(e) asking the victim to sign a written statement describing the incident of abuse; or

(f) arresting and taking into physical custody the abuser in accordance with the provisions of Title 77, Chapter 36, Cohabitant Abuse Procedures Act.

(3) No person or institution may be held criminally or civilly liable for the performance of, or failure to perform, any duty established by this chapter, so long as that person acted in good faith and without malice.

Amended by Chapter 196, 2013 General Session