A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT requiring any person seeking relief pursuant to a domestic violence protective order to include in the complaint or motion filed whether the person has previously filed an action or motion for domestic violence against the defendant and if so, the disposition of that action.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 50B‑2(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	Any person residing in this State may seek relief under this Chapter by filing a civil action or by filing a motion in any existing action filed under Chapter 50 of the General Statutes alleging acts of domestic violence against himself or herself or a minor child who resides with or is in the custody of such person. Any aggrieved party entitled to relief under this Chapter may file a civil action and proceed pro se, without the assistance of legal counsel. The district court division of the General Court of Justice shall have original jurisdiction over actions instituted under this Chapter. Upon filing a civil action or motion under this Chapter, the person seeking relief shall include in the complaint or motion filed (i) whether the person has previously filed any action or motion for domestic violence against the defendant and (ii) the disposition of the action, if applicable. Any action for a domestic violence protective order requires that a summons be issued and served. The summons issued pursuant to this Chapter shall require the defendant to answer within 10 days of the date of service. Attachments to the summons shall include the complaint, notice of hearing, any temporary or ex parte order that has been issued, and other papers through the appropriate law enforcement agency where the defendant is to be served. No court costs shall be assessed for the filing, issuance, registration, or service of a protective order or petition for a protective order or witness subpoena in compliance with the Violence Against Women Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3796gg‑5."
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2011.