(a) A petitioner may seek relief from abuse by filing with a court, or with
a commissioner under the circumstances specified in § 4-504.1(a) of
this subtitle, a petition that alleges abuse of any person eligible for
relief by the respondent.
(b) (1) The petition shall:
(i) be under oath; and
(ii) include any information known to the petitioner of:
1. the nature and extent of the abuse for which the relief is being
sought, including information known to the petitioner concerning
previous injury resulting from abuse by the respondent;
2. each previous action between the parties in any court;
3. each pending action between the parties in any court;
4. the whereabouts of the respondent, if known;
5. if financial relief is requested, information known to the petitioner
regarding the financial resources of the respondent; and
6. in a case of alleged child abuse or alleged abuse of a vulnerable
adult, the whereabouts of the child or vulnerable adult and any other
information relating to the abuse of the child or vulnerable adult.
(2) If the petition states that disclosure of the address of a person
eligible for relief would risk further abuse of a person eligible for
relief, or reveal the confidential address of a shelter for domestic
violence victims, that address may be omitted from all documents filed
with a commissioner or filed with, or transferred to, a court. If
disclosure is necessary to determine jurisdiction or consider any venue
issue, it shall be made orally and in camera and may not be disclosed
to the respondent.
(c) The petitioner may not be required to pay a filing fee or costs for the
issuance or service of:
(1) an interim protective order;
(2) a temporary protective order;
(3) a final protective order; or
(4) a witness subpoena.
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