Indiana officers would enforce qualifying Canadian domestic violence orders

Indiana officers would enforce a Canadian domestic violence order when they have good reason to believe it is valid and was broken. The order must come from a Canadian civil court and restrict conduct tied to domestic violence. Officers would not need a certified copy. If lack of notice blocks enforcement, they must first tell the protected person, then make reasonable efforts to notify the person under the order and give that person a reasonable chance to comply, consistent with the protected person’s safety. Requests made on or after July 1, 2026, could cover violations that happened before that date.

Indiana courts could enforce or refuse to enforce a Canadian domestic violence order when someone applies. A person legally allowed to seek enforcement or the person bound by the order could apply. Courts could enforce only the Canadian order’s terms. The order must name both people, remain valid, and come from a court with authority over the case. The person under it must receive notice and a fair chance to respond; for an order issued without that person’s input, the chance may come soon afterward. A court finding that the order fails these rules would also block officer enforcement and registration. Starting July 1, 2026, the rules would cover orders issued before, on, or after that date.

People could ask Indiana courts to register Canadian domestic violence orders. Any individual wishing to register an order could ask an Indiana court that keeps official case records. Registration would not be required to enforce an order that meets these rules. A court finding that an order cannot be enforced would also bar its registration. Starting July 1, 2026, registration could cover orders issued before that date.

Indiana would shield public agencies and officials from civil and criminal liability for good faith efforts under these rules. It would cover state and local agencies, officers, prosecutors, court clerks, and other officials acting in their jobs. The shield would apply only to good faith efforts to register or enforce an order, or to detain or arrest an alleged violator. The shield would start July 1, 2026.