2346

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 584

(b)  The petition shall be under oath and shall contain
information known to the petitioner of any prior or pending
action between the parties in any court.

(c)  (1) The cost of filing the petition may be waived
or deferred by the court in advance on a showing by
affidavit that the petitioner is:

(i) Indigent; or

(ii) That because of the circumstances the
petitioner otherwise able to pay, is unable to pay the cost
at the time of filing.

(2) Under these circumstances, costs may be
subsequently waived or assessed against the petitioner or
the abusing household member.

(D) THE COURT MAY ORDER THE CONSOLIDATION OF ACTIONS
PENDING BETWEEN THE PARTIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MARYLAND
RULES.

4-503.

(a)  If a petition is filed under this subtitle and the
court determines that the petitioner has demonstrated an
abuse of a household member, the court may enter a temporary
ex parte order to protect the petitioner or another
household member from abuse. The order shall be served
immediately by a law enforcement officer on the household
member named in the petition, and that household member
shall have an opportunity to be heard on the question of
continuing the temporary order. Notice of the date of the
hearing shall be contained in the order, and this hearing
shall be held not later than 5 days after the temporary
order is entered. SERVICE OF THE ORDER ON THE HOUSEHOLD
MEMBER.

(b)  If the court determines by clear and convincing
evidence that the alleged abuse has occurred, the court may
grant a protective order to stop the abuse of the household
member. The relief granted may include the following:

(1)  An order to refrain from abusing household
members;

(2)   [The original order may] AN ORDER TO require
the respondent to vacate the family home IMMEDIATELY and
grant temporary possession of the family home to the
petitioner for up to 5 days. [In no event may the order and
any] ANY extensions TO THE ORDER TO VACATE THE FAMILY HOME
AND GRANT TEMPORARY POSSESSION OF IT TO THE PETITIONER,
GRANTED FOR GOOD CAUSE SHOWN, MAY NOT exceed a total period
of [15 days] 30 DAYS;

(3)  An award of temporary custody of a minor;
and