The court shall consider the safety of any and all alleged victims of domestic violence, stalking, harassment, sexual assault, or forcible sodomy where the defendant is alleged to have violated a protective order, committed domestic assault and battery, stalked, sexually assaulted, or forcibly sodomized the alleged victim or victims prior to the release of the alleged defendant from custody on bond. The court, after consideration and to ensure the safety of the alleged victim or victims, may issue an emergency protective order pursuant to the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act. The court may also issue to the alleged victim or victims an order restraining the alleged defendant from any activity or action from which they may be restrained under the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act. The court shall not consider a "no contact order as condition of bond" as a factor when determining whether the petitioner is eligible for relief. The protective order shall remain in effect until either a plea has been accepted, sentencing has occurred in the case, the case has been dismissed, or until further order of the court dismissing the protective order. In conjunction with any protective order or restraining order authorized by this section, the court may order the defendant to use an active, real-time, twenty-four-hour Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring device for such term as the court deems appropriate. Upon application of the victim, the court may authorize the victim to monitor the location of the defendant. Such monitoring by the victim shall be limited to the ability of the victim to make computer or cellular inquiries to determine if the defendant is within a specified distance of locations, excluding the residence or workplace of the defendant, or to receive a computer- or a cellular-generated signal if the defendant comes within a specified distance of the victim. The court shall conduct an annual review of the monitoring order to determine if such order to monitor the location of the defendant is still necessary. Before the court orders the use of a GPS device, the court shall find that the defendant has a history that demonstrates an intent to commit violence against the victim, including, but not limited to, prior conviction for an offense under the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act or any other violent offense, or any other evidence that shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant is likely to commit violence against the victim. The court may further order the defendant to pay costs and expenses related to the GPS device and monitoring.

Added by Laws 2004, c. 516, § 4, eff. July 1, 2005. Amended by Laws 2008, c. 114, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2008; Laws 2010, c. 346, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2010; Laws 2019, c. 113, § 6, eff. Nov. 1, 2019.