Published on 10/1/2026, 12:00:00 AM
Maryland Protective Order Changes Effective October 1, 2026: What About Peace Orders?
Beginning October 1, 2026, Maryland changes important parts of its protective-order process. House Bill 497, enacted as Chapter 791, changes temporary-order timing and expressly authorizes financial awards for certain losses caused by abuse.
Chapter 791 changes protective orders, not peace orders. If you are seeking protection or responding to a petition, identifying the correct proceeding matters before applying the new rules to your case.
FrizWoods represents petitioners and respondents in Maryland protective-order cases and Maryland peace-order cases, including standalone civil matters without related criminal charges.
What changes on October 1?
| Issue | Previous protective-order rule | Rule effective October 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary temporary-order duration | No more than seven days after service | No more than 14 days after issuance |
| Ordinary final-hearing deadline | No later than seven days after service of the temporary order | No later than 14 days after issuance of the temporary order |
Statutory exceptions and extensions still matter. Final hearings may be continued for good cause.
Issuance and service are different events. Issuance is when the court enters the order; service is when it is delivered through the required legal process. Do not assume you have 14 days from receiving your papers. Read the actual hearing notice and seek clarification promptly if anything is unclear.
Financial relief for losses caused by abuse
Chapter 791 expressly permits a final protective order to require payment of losses or expenses directly resulting from abuse, including:
- Medical, dental, and mental-health treatment.
- Repair or replacement of damaged property.
- Food, temporary shelter, and relocation.
- Transportation.
- Filing fees and court costs.
- Reasonable attorney’s fees.
The court sets the payment date. An award does not prevent a later claim for additional losses or expenses that were not awarded in the protective-order proceeding.
These provisions appear in the enacted text of Chapter 791.
What petitioners should prepare
If you are seeking an order, organize evidence of the alleged abuse and any financial relief you want the court to consider.
Create a dated timeline and preserve complete communications, photographs, and witness information. For requested expenses, gather invoices, receipts, treatment bills, repair estimates, and payment records.
A useful expense summary should identify:
- What the expense was.
- When it was incurred.
- The amount requested.
- How it relates to the alleged abuse.
- The document supporting it.
For example, a request involving damaged property should be supported with available photographs and repair or replacement documentation. Avoid relying on a single total without explaining how you calculated it.
Discuss the requested relief with your attorney before the hearing so the evidence and presentation address the issues the court must decide.
What respondents should prepare
If you have been served, review the petition and every order, not just the hearing date.
Identify the allegations you dispute, preserve the complete records, and give your attorney any documents addressing requested expenses. Questions may include whether the expense occurred, whether the amount is supported, and whether it resulted from the alleged abuse.
Do not contact the petitioner to dispute a bill or demand an explanation if the existing order prohibits contact. Address those issues through counsel and the court.
Prepare early. Locating witnesses, obtaining records, and organizing exhibits can take time even when the hearing itself is approaching quickly.
Does the new law change peace orders?
Chapter 791 does not amend Maryland’s peace-order statutes.
Under Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 3-1504, a temporary peace order ordinarily remains effective for no more than seven days after service, subject to statutory exceptions.
Under Section 3-1505, the final hearing ordinarily must occur no later than seven days after service of the temporary order, unless an exception or good-cause continuance applies.
Do not apply the new protective-order timetable to a peace-order hearing. Likewise, Chapter 791’s financial-relief provision does not become part of peace-order law simply because the proceedings have similar names.
Our protective order versus peace order guide explains the broader differences.
What if your case began before October 1?
If your case crosses the effective date, have an attorney review the filing, issuance, service, and hearing dates. Do not assume an existing hearing moved or an existing order changed automatically.
Keep every version of the paperwork and follow the court’s actual notices.
Speak with a Maryland protective or peace order lawyer
Whether you need to seek protection or respond to a petition, bring your timeline, available evidence, and any court papers to your consultation. If financial relief is at issue, bring supporting expense records as well.
FrizWoods represents either petitioners or respondents in individual protective-order and peace-order matters throughout Maryland. Related criminal charges are not required.
Call 877-343-1031 for a free consultation.
